Join the Mulloon Institute to demonstrate how sustainable wool-growing and landscape restoration go hand in-hand by promoting skills-based learning on landscape rehydration.
What is the opportunity?
Some agricultural landscapes have reduced capacity to retain and cycle water, increasing vulnerability to drought. This project will drive the adoption of two practices: Natural Infrastructure and Farm-System Solutions, proven to re-establish landscape function and enable producers to make better use of rainfall.
Natural infrastructure, including contours, brushpacks, and streamed control structures, can significantly enhance drought resilience by slowing and filtering water, while rehydrating vast areas and capturing nutrient-rich sediment. These systems improve soil health, boost plant growth, restore nutrient cycles, and increase water retention, leading to stronger plant and animal health. By combining these techniques with farm-system solutions like planned grazing and adaptive water management, farmers can build resilient, productive, diverse landscapes that thrive in the face of climate change.
What is this project’s solution?
Our skills-based Learning Program will drive the adoption of low-tech, cost-effective natural infrastructure and farm system solutions to enhance water retention, cycling, and reduce drought's impact on agricultural productivity. Through ongoing support, the program will empower farmers to build resilience by providing experiential, peer-to-peer, and mentored learning opportunities that enable participants to plan, design, and implement on-the-ground projects. These projects will generate demonstration sites to inspire wider adoption across the country, improving landscape function and boosting agricultural productivity.
What is the investment ask?
- Field Day and 3-day Bootcamp = $30,000 + GST. Across four regions = $120,000 + GST
- Mentoring (based on five properties in each region, including a site visit to each property and online follow-up sessions) = $25,000 + GST. Across four regions = $100,000 + GST.
- The Boots-on-Ground field day is $15,000 + GST. Across four regions = $60,000 + GST.
- Total investment for all activities across four regions = $280,000 + GST
- The full program can be delivered over an 18-month period.
What are the benefits of involvement?
Collaborating with woolgrowers, researchers, and industry partners allows you to share authentic stories that resonate with conscious consumers while showcasing your role in delivering tangible solutions. By addressing prevalent industry issues, you'll build recognition as an innovator, with your efforts promoted through Woolmark and broader industry channels.
Woolgrowers in the Learning Program will gain skills to optimise water capture and soil management, improving landscape function and boosting their ability to preserve and enhance their enterprises. Landscape Rehydration offers a cost-effective, scalable framework for managing natural capital, aligning with future funding opportunities through potential natural capital markets.
What is your expected participation?
Mulloon Institute has a depth of experience in delivering on projects such as this. We have a Learning Programs team and utilise experienced Mulloon Consulting Landscape Planners to deliver the Field Day and Bootcamp, support the on-line Mentoring Program and deliver the Boots-on-ground day, including construction.
Mulloon has team members with technical and engineering skills to ensure projects are delivered safely, administrative staff to manage the project and financial governance, and a communications team to ensure the project is well publicised through social media channels.
Key Project Facilitator
How to get involved?
Schedule an initial meeting today to review project plans and understand the impact of your investment.
Please contact: Jono Forest - General Manager – Mulloon Institute
jono@mullooninstitute.org