18 February 2013

Researchers from Charles Darwin University are investigating whether pastoralists and graziers could create new cash flow by delivering on-farm biodiversity conservation. 

Professor Romy Greiner says pastoralists manage vast areas of Australia’s tropical savannas and already make an important contribution to biodiversity conservation across northern Australia.

“Increasingly, there are financial opportunities for pastoralists and graziers to diversify their income through activities like carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation,” Professor Greiner said.

“Through this research, we are trying to find out how willing people are to undertake these activities, the social and economic factors that influence them, and the conditions or incentives that would make these types of activities practical and attractive.”

Professor Greiner is looking for pastoralists to attend a workshop in Tennant Creek the morning of February 26 or Katherine on February 28.

The two hour workshops involve a group discussion and a survey about the types of financial incentives that would encourage on-farm biodiversity conservation.