Friends of Grasslands Strategic Plan 2008

The biodiversity values and ecosystem function of natural grassy ecosystems in south‑eastern Australia are recognised, valued, protected and enhanced.

FoG is a community group dedicated to the conservation of natural temperate grassy ecosystems in south eastern Australia. FoG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on‑ground work. FoG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.

Context

FoG's immediate focus is the Southern Tablelands including the ACT. FoG is also active in surrounding regions of NSW (e.g. southern rivers, western slopes and northern tablelands), and seeks to work cooperatively with others in south east Australia (e.g. basalt plains of south western Victoria, and northern plains of South Australia).

Protection and management of grassy ecosystems involves many sectors from government (federal, state/territory, local and regional/catchment agencies), to research and education, organised community (FoG and others), land managers (rural and conservation), and the general community.

Institutional arrangements are complex and include a broad range of legislation and related policy that covers: listing of threatened communities/species and recovery planning; reservation; strategic planning for management and investment; impact assessment; and weed management.

Resources available to support grassy ecosystem conservation vary over time, and within institutions and seasons. Monitoring of change after management intervention is not always possible.

The status of grassy ecosystems (condition and extent), description of it and understanding about it, also varies over time. Information (including maps and databases), and access to it, is improving.

Threats to grassy ecosystems include: clearing and development; agricultural intensification (i.e. grazing to cropping); weeds and pest species; climate change; and ignorance.

1. build on existing data, systems and expertise, to improve knowledge and understanding of, and support for, grassy ecosystems by communities, industries and governments

2. identify threats to grassy ecosystems, and influence decisions relating to protection and management

3. improve management of grassy ecosystems on public and private land, including through better allocation of resources and integration of effort

5. build the skills and participation of members to be an effective and sustainable group

7. broaden adoption of grassy ecosystem species in horticulture and landscaping.

1. Communication. Develop and implement activities to improve knowledge and understanding of grassy ecosystems, through informing and enriching FoG members, the wider community, other conservation organisations and governments.

1.6 Assist agencies, other groups and industry to develop their understanding and actively promote conservation of natural grassy ecosystems.

2. Hands‑on conservation. Support land manager and group participation in practical management, to protect and reestablish grassy ecosystems; as an adjunct to such action by agencies and the private sector.

2.3 Assist other groups and individuals with management planning and implementation.

3. Advocacy. Ensure that adequate and appropriate legislative, policy, planning and implementation measures exist to protect grassy ecosystems; and identify and rectify laws, policies, planning and implementation processes detrimental to grassy ecosystems.

3.1 Monitor measures proposed by, or taken by, governments and others, and seek to ensure such measures are consistent with FoG's vision and aims.

3.2 Identify policies and regimes which would further FoG's vision and aims, and work to achieve their application by both the public and private sectors.

3.3 Seek to change, wherever necessary, the values and behaviours of those who have powers relevant to the wellbeing of grassy ecosystems, and those who influence such persons/organisations.

4. Research. Cooperate with relevant organisations (e.g. environmental, planning, educational, and scientific) to actively participate in their work to better understand grassy ecosystems.

4.2 Seek to identify and understand the values of grassy ecosystems and causes of the decline of grassy ecosystems, and how to address such decline (including through recovery planning/strategies).

4.3 Maintain and/or seek scientific expertise/methods in other areas of activity.

1. grow its membership to include relevant individuals and organisations, or network with related organisations

2. operate using principles of mutual respect, open communication, membership participation and skill development, human diversity, non-discrimination and non‑harassment

3. work in areas and on issues identified as priorities, including through annual workplans.

• office holders (President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Officer)

• responsible officers (e.g. on administration, newsletter/eBulletin, correspondence, membership, website)

• activity groups (e.g. program, advocacy, education), and

• representatives (e.g. on NTG Recovery Planning, Snowy Mtns SC Weeds, OCCGR Management, Conservation Management Networks, CCSERaC, Parkcare, Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park, Limestone Plains Group, Kosciuszko to Coast).

FoG works to an annual workplan, and develops and adheres to policies on key issues.