Creating the UQ Gatton Environmental Park

Greg BaxterSchool of Natural & Rural

Systems ManagementUQ Gatton Campus, Q 4343

OR

How to turn this

Into this

Many problems of conservation turn out to be, on close examination, not technical problems, but problems of economics and sociology.

Caughley, 1977

Many problems of conservation turn out to be, on close examination, not technical problems, but problems of economics and sociology.

Caughley, 1977

The Problem

• Recognise the opportunity

• Create a common vision

• Implement the plan

• Demonstrate the benefits

• Gather resources

Recognising the opportunity

We had this…

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache

• Source of weeds

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache

• Source of weeds

• Fire hazard

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache

• Source of weeds

• Fire hazard

• Habitat for a few birds

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache

• Source of weeds

• Fire hazard

• Habitat for a few birds

• Water source for irrigation

Once was a golf course

• Recreational opportunity for a very few students

• Management headache• Source of weeds• Fire hazard• Habitat for a few birds• Water source for irrigation• Waste disposal pond (in the past)

Once was a golf course• Recreational opportunity for a very few

students• Management headache• Source of weeds• Fire hazard• Habitat for a few birds• Water source for irrigation• Waste disposal pond (in the past)• Exercise space for a few horses

Once was a golf course• Recreational opportunity for a very few students• Management headache• Source of weeds• Fire hazard• Habitat for a few birds• Water source for irrigation• Waste disposal pond (in the past)• Exercise space for a few horses• Excellent doughnut venue

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

• Who would have access?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

• Who would have access?

• What species would we plant?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

• Who would have access?

• What species would we plant?

• What would it cost?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

• Who would have access?

• What species would we plant?

• What would it cost?

• Who would pay?

Creating a shared vision

• How big would the area be?

• Would we include the dams?

• Who would have access?

• What species would we plant?

• What would it cost?

• Who would pay?

• Et al

This really boiled down to…

Who were the winners and losers?

We eventually got a plan

UQ provided some resources

Went looking for more

Greening Lockyer

Powerlink

Decided What to Plant

RE: 12.9-10.7 Of Concern, Eucalyptus crebra Woodland on sedimentaary rocks.

RE: 12.9-10.11 Endangered, Melaleuca irbyana low open forest or thicket.

RE: 12.3.8 , Of Concern, Fresh Water Swamps

Decided What Features We Wanted

1.Enhanced wetlands (not farm dams)

Decided What Features We Wanted

1. Enhanced wetlands (not farm dams)

2. Opportunities to watch birds

Decided What Features We Wanted

1. Enhanced wetlands (not farm dams)

2. Opportunities to watch birds

3. Opportunities for walking

Decided What Features We Wanted

1. Enhanced wetlands (not farm dams)

2. Opportunities to watch birds

3. Opportunities for walking

4. Interesting Architectural Features

Decided What Features We Wanted

1. Enhanced wetlands (not farm dams)

2. Opportunities to watch birds

3. Opportunities for walking

4. Interesting Architectural Features

5. Enhanced Natural Processes & Conservation Value

What Did We Learn?

• Make haste slowly

• Not everyone can see your vision

• A champion is essential• Funding won’t be the biggest problem

Acknowledgements & Thanks

• Neal Finch – for having the idea

• Greg Hicks – for his great ideas

• Lisa Taylor, Steve Barakin & grounds staff – for fabulous work

• Mark Glindeman – for willing support

• Geoff Denis – without whom it wouldn’t have happened• Greening Lockyer for financial support

Ende

~Any questions?