Developing Effective School-Community Learning Partnerships for Sustainability. The research contributes to 2 areas of national concern:achieving environmental sustainability and strengthening social cohesion, especially in the expanding urban growth corridors of Australian cities. It will develop guidelines for facilitating models of community learning partnerships that build social capital as a vehicle for protecting natural capital. Knowledge generated will advance conservation practices for ....Developing Effective School-Community Learning Partnerships for Sustainability. The research contributes to 2 areas of national concern:achieving environmental sustainability and strengthening social cohesion, especially in the expanding urban growth corridors of Australian cities. It will develop guidelines for facilitating models of community learning partnerships that build social capital as a vehicle for protecting natural capital. Knowledge generated will advance conservation practices for natural capital:water, energy, biodiversity and waste, and strengthen the school-community partnership elements of programs such as ResourceSmart and the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI), supported extensively by networks of local, State and Commonwealth governments, schools and community groups.Read moreRead less
An Assessment of Social-Ecological Resilience in the Context of Marine Resource Management in Melanesia. Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are part of the so-called 'Arc of Instability'. Despite enjoying relatively high levels of food security, mainly due to low human population densities, both countries have low Human Development Indices, particularly in Health and Education, and sustainable development is hindered by a range of problems, including complex and often socially destructive resp ....An Assessment of Social-Ecological Resilience in the Context of Marine Resource Management in Melanesia. Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are part of the so-called 'Arc of Instability'. Despite enjoying relatively high levels of food security, mainly due to low human population densities, both countries have low Human Development Indices, particularly in Health and Education, and sustainable development is hindered by a range of problems, including complex and often socially destructive responses to global markets. Meanwhile fishery resources of both countries are being rapidly depleted by accelerating global commodity demand, threatening food security and undermining progress towards sustainable human development. Targeted, socially-informed resource management policy can prevent these problems from becoming ours as well.Read moreRead less
Sustainable environmental management in Australian small firms. Small firms are the ‘backbone’ of the Australian economy but they can also have a significant negative impact on the environment. Helping them to increase their energy efficiency through an innovative intervention program will make a positive contribution to Australia’s environmental performance.
Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future. The concept of sustainability has been proposed as a practical and useful concept capable of providing solutions to social, environmental and economic problems. Global interest in the concept also stems from the advantages that organisational change for sustainability can impart, including improved efficiency and profitability. The project will develop sustainability capabilities of graduates entering a diverse range of industries, enhancing the nation ....Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future. The concept of sustainability has been proposed as a practical and useful concept capable of providing solutions to social, environmental and economic problems. Global interest in the concept also stems from the advantages that organisational change for sustainability can impart, including improved efficiency and profitability. The project will develop sustainability capabilities of graduates entering a diverse range of industries, enhancing the national skills base. The models and processes of institutional change developed in this project can be adopted by universities, governments and corporations throughout the world, enhancing Australia's reputation as a world leader in institutional and corporate sustainability.Read moreRead less
Using co-teaching and co-generative dialogue to improve teacher-student interactions and students' awareness of their place in the environment. The study addresses the political, social agenda of Australia. The findings of the co-teaching/co-generative dialogue research in science environmental education will encourage teachers to implement desirable changes in their teaching, benefiting community through application of research results to education systems, and increasing understanding of effec ....Using co-teaching and co-generative dialogue to improve teacher-student interactions and students' awareness of their place in the environment. The study addresses the political, social agenda of Australia. The findings of the co-teaching/co-generative dialogue research in science environmental education will encourage teachers to implement desirable changes in their teaching, benefiting community through application of research results to education systems, and increasing understanding of effective teaching. Priority research funding is being afforded to several areas of natural science research; there is an imperative that environmental science education in schools progresses commensurately. The long-term ability of universities to conduct their natural science research will be dependent on foundational improvements in environmental science education in schools.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI110100028
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,824.00
Summary
Indigenous knowledge: water sustainability and wild fire mitigation. Sustainable management of the environment in Australia is currently informed by science. This project will create a space for cross-cultural translation between indigenous knowledge on environmental management practices and mainstream science practices.
Enhanced Education And Engagement With NSW Commercial Fishers Re Biosecurity With Focus On White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$88,000.00
Summary
The project aims to address 3 issues: 1. Improved in-field identification of aquatic pests by fishers over a longer term, 2. understanding the need for early detection. 3. Greater community and industry awareness of threats of aquatic biosecurity
Improved in-field identification of aquatic pests by fishers over a longer term Most fishers need to be re-familiarised with WSSV and associated diseases. Although an Extension Program was run in response to the 2016 south e ....The project aims to address 3 issues: 1. Improved in-field identification of aquatic pests by fishers over a longer term, 2. understanding the need for early detection. 3. Greater community and industry awareness of threats of aquatic biosecurity
Improved in-field identification of aquatic pests by fishers over a longer term Most fishers need to be re-familiarised with WSSV and associated diseases. Although an Extension Program was run in response to the 2016 south east Queensland WSSV incursion, there is a need to refresh the local fishing industry about WSSV and what to keep an eye out for.
There is some belief that this is due to the fact that the original extension program was not supported with any continued material or instruction. The PFA believes that this can be addressed through linking Biosecurity and WSSV information into the fishers reporting devices. It is through constant reaffirmation of WSSV and other such biosecurity risks that it will remain forefront for the fishers
Understanding the need for early detection It is understood that some fishers expressed reluctance in assisting in field surveys for WSSV as they were concerned about the negative impact such detection has to their immediate business. However, many case studies demonstrate that early detection can be the key in eliminating a biosecurity threat versus attempts to contain. The program will focus on the essential component within its materials and engagements
Greater community and industry awareness of threats to aquatic biosecurity Previous campaigns did not target the high risk vectors - for example, recreational fishers using green imported prawns for bait are not likely to fish from boat ramp. A dedicated social media campaign to saturate popular platforms would be utilised to run a regular program.
Objectives: 1. To improve awareness of biosecurity threats to the commercial fishing industry of northern NSW, with a focus of WSSV 2. To improve awareness of the importance of early detection of biosecurity threats within the northern NSW commercial fishing industry 3. To improve greater awareness that the use of imported green seafood as bait has to the ecosystem amongst the NSW community Read moreRead less
Create A Matrix Of Skills And Capability Building Priorities Across FRDC Partners And Advisory Groups
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$38,000.00
Summary
The fisheries industry has advisories boards operating independently across regions (eight State based RACs) and industry specific (11 IPA’s). The fishing and aquaculture commodity groups and regions will benefit from a shared understanding of the skills capabilities and needs which may not be apparent to individual groups who do not have the across-industry view. A shared understanding will enable the industry to adopt an informed decision making process when deciding priorities and allocating ....The fisheries industry has advisories boards operating independently across regions (eight State based RACs) and industry specific (11 IPA’s). The fishing and aquaculture commodity groups and regions will benefit from a shared understanding of the skills capabilities and needs which may not be apparent to individual groups who do not have the across-industry view. A shared understanding will enable the industry to adopt an informed decision making process when deciding priorities and allocating resources for addressing whole of industry workforce development needs.
Objectives: 1. A robust matrix informing the FRDC, RACs and IPAs of identified gaps and common capability and skills development needs across sectors and regions, including mapping existing skills and capability development programs and opportunities. Read moreRead less
Enhancing sustainable energy saving behaviour through communication: a longitudinal study. This study will identify factors likely to have the most impact on household energy saving behaviour and will also identify the relative strength of different media when undertaking public education campaigns. The research will help alleviate overall energy use and make better use of public marketing communications budgets.