Landscapes for the Future
Landscapes for the Future Limited began as an initiative of the Woady Yaloak Catchment Group. The company promotes the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology as a tool to assist with Landcare project management.
The Woady Yaloak Catchment Project's involvement with GIS began in 1995, via a Ballarat University project conducted with the Pittong-Hoyles Creek Landcare Group. At the time several geographic information systems were in operation, but they tended to focus at the catchment scale. In contrast the WYC Group's use of the GIS focussed on individual landholders and then used this information to build to a catchment perspective, in a 'bottom up' approach to planning.
Landholders were very impressed with the concept, but wanted a more interactive, user friendly and low cost system. It was at this point that Ballarat computer software developer Osprey Computing became involved.
Over a three year period, the WYC Project in partnership with Alcoa of Australia, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Osprey Computing worked together to pioneer a Landcare specific software package called Streets Ahead™.
Streets Ahead became a very important tool for project management in the Woady Yaloak Catchment.
With the success of the software in the Woady Yaloak Catchment, it became obvious that it had application in the broader Landcare community. This prompted the creation of a not-for-profit company, Landscapes for the Future Limited, in 2002. The purpose of Landscapes for the Future was to share the ideas, experiences and expertise of the WYC with other Landcare Networks.
As technology evolved, web based platforms became more accessible and Catchment Management Authorities began offering similar support, the opportunity for ongoing promotion diminished.
Landscapes for the Future Limited operated for three years before being wound up. The business had served its purpose to promote low cost GIS across the landcare movement.
For more information on the history of Landscapes for the Future refer to the Woady Yaloak Catchment Project Annual Report for 2002, pages 17-20.
Sister Landcare with Tamar NRM
Start a new heading on the left hand side called Sister landcare with Tamar NRM. Then add the following blurb and a publication.
Tamar NRM and the Woady Yaloak Catchment (WYC) Group have established a formal relationship to foster information and knowledge exchange in natural resource management, modelled on the highly successful sister city program.
Both groups have demonstrated success in their own right, with Tamar NRM being a finalist and the WYC Group winning the 2004 National Landcare catchment award. Both organisations recognise the benefits to be gained from each other’s experiences through study tour, information exchange and dialogue.
Currently Sister Landcare provides an opportunity for the WYC Group to improve partnerships with local government and NGO’s by learning from Tamar NRM. Conversely Tamar NRM are keen to learn about the neighbourhood group engagement process, successfully implemented by the WYC Group.