Building Resilience: Success with the CoPP-NSW Mentoring Program
Rock weir at Matt’s project site, at Bryden.
Over the past year, Erin Healy from Mulloon Institute has collaborated with dedicated landholders in the Northern Tablelands through the Communities of Practice Project (CoPP). This initiative, funded by the Future Drought Fund – Extension & Adoption Grant, empowers communities across Australia to implement nature-based solutions for drought resilience.
The Mentoring Program, an extension of Mulloon’s educational curriculum, helps land managers enhance their decision-making and technical skills. Participants engage in online meetings, in-person visits, and access comprehensive resources to develop and implement their own landscape rehydration projects.
In late 2023, CoPP-NSW launched with a field day and bootcamp in the Swanbrook catchment, near Inverell. This event generated significant interest, resulting in nine one-on-one mentoring programs that built confidence and skills in landscape rehydration. By May 2024, participant Cody Law successfully completed his project during the Boots-on-Ground Day, showcasing practical applications of the techniques learned.
Log-sill and rock weir mid-construction at Matt’s project site on Bryden.
By July 2024, nearly all mentees had finalised their project plans. With secured funding, many have begun or completed their projects, serving as tangible demonstrations of landscape rehydration for the community.
The success of CoPP-NSW is reflected in the engaged community of practice fostered in the Swanbrook catchment and beyond. Landholders are actively restoring waterways and local water cycles, collaborating with neighbors, Landcare, and local land services. This collective effort not only enhances climate resilience but also strengthens community bonds.
The impacts of this work are exciting, and the journey toward sustainable land management and resilience continues with great anticipation.
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The Professionals Intensive curriculum has been developed with the support of the NSW Government, through its Environmental Trust. The delivery of this pilot was supported by the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund, through the Communities of Practice Project (CoPP).
New level-contour banks and graded bank modifications at Mick’s project site, Nullamanna.
Log-sill and rock weir mid-construction at Glen’s project site, Billabong.
Earth banks constructed at Clint and Jayme’s project site, completed days after the Bootcamp event.