The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) invites members from the community, who are interested in the future management of soils in north central Victoria, to attend a free community forum being held in Bendigo on Wednesday 31 March, 2010.

The North Central Regional Soils Forum will bring together key landholders, scientists and policy makers to discuss how to secure the productive and environmental values of our soils in North Central Victoria.

Phil Dyson, North Central CMA’s project manger for Farming for Sustainable Soils, explains the importance of healthy soils. “Like air and water, healthy soils are essential for most life forms on planet earth.

“We rely upon it to grow the food we need to sustain ourselves.  To our farmers, it is the fundamental resource they require for productive agriculture, and, accordingly, it sustains the regional economy.   Equally, we rely on good soil management to protect our natural ecosystems from becoming choked with sediment derived from wind and water erosion,” concluded Mr Dyson.        

Keynote speakers will present a national perspective and point the way forward. The forum will consider climate change, contemporary farming systems, and economic circumstances that place pressure on the land.

Damian Wells, North Central CMA Chief Executive Officer says the forum promises to offer participants an informative and interesting day.

“The forum will look at opportunities for improved plant cover, improved soil carbon sequestration, and the potential to improve soil resilience in an altered climate.

“Landholder groups will provide a down-to-earth practitioner-based perspective of the challenges and opportunities for soil conservation in today’s world, and at the end of the day we will draw all of our thoughts together in a light-hearted but thought-provoking hypothetical”, said Mr Wells.

The Forum is delivered under the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s ‘Farming for Sustainable Soils’ project, and is an initiative supported by the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ program.

The innovative forum is free of charge and places are strictly limited.  Please RSVP your confirmed attendance to info@nccma.vig.gov.au or telephone 03 5448 7154 before Friday 19 March.

For further information regarding the forum, including the Forum Agenda, visit:  www.nccma.vic.gov.au.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au