Media Release: World Soil Day

DIGGING INTO SOIL BIODIVERSITY @ MURESK

WA Soil and Land Conservation Commissioner Cec McConnell to speak at World Soil Day event, 5 December, 2020.

Perth NRM and RegenWA present a World Soil Day (WSD) event, Digging into Soil Biodiversity, at the Muresk Institute on Saturday, 5 December, 2020.

World Soil Day is a United Nations International Day of Significance that highlights the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for its sustainable management. This year’s theme is ‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’.

We’re taking the opportunity to hear from numerous West Australian farmers about what they are doing on farm to improve their soil biodiversity.

We are also pleased to announce that the recently appointed WA Soil and Land Conservation Commissioner, Cecilia ‘Cec’ McConnell, will be presenting at Muresk.

The Commissioner’s role includes preventing land degradation, promoting soil conservation and educating landholders and the general public about sound land management. Cec has a wealth of knowledge and experience, starting her hydrology and NRM days in the Department of Agriculture, before starting her own consultancy business and serving on the Wheatbelt NRM Board, including several years as Deputy Chair.

Registrations are now open for this free event (www.trybooking.com/BMCNM), which will run from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 5 December, 2020.

Features of the day will include;

• Hearing from farmers about on-farm practices to increase soil biodiversity, from horticulture to livestock and cropping backgrounds
• Opportunity to see your own soil biology under the microscope
• Hearing from the recently appointed Soils Commissioner
• Paddock walks with Steve Wainewright to see the current trials at Muresk
• Networking with a diverse range of farmers from across the state
• Family oriented, so bring the kids for a whole family day out
• Enjoy a hearty Picnic in the Paddock lunch prepared by the CWA.

As a follow on from the sell-out Regenerative Agriculture Conference in 2019, which raised the awareness of Regen Ag, this event is about providing a range of practical ways farmers can look to improve their soil health and their soil biodiversity. The event is public for all who are interested with the targeted audience being farmers, their families and those who are involved with agriculture.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is supporting the event with a range of resources including a soil pit and free soil science activities for the kids. Perth NRM acknowledges DPIRD’s coordinated and collaborative effort to celebrate the great work of West Australian farmers.

RegenWA is co-funded by Perth NRM and the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Office.

For further information about the event please contact Shay Crouch – [email protected]

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RegenWA 2020 World Soil Day

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We acknowledge and appreciate the support of all our partners, supporters, funding bodies and sponsors.