Aaron Edmonds (left) is a fourth generation farmer at Calingiri, who studied agricultural science at the University of WA. He recently travelled across the country looking at sustainable farming practices and alternatives, and is working to apply these ideas on his family’s farm.

“As a kid I remember my Dad saying things like, ‘we used to crop that and it was terrific’, and I would be looking across at salt land. We have planted native species including bush tomatoes, sandalwood, quandongs, desert limes and desert figs, as well as timber trees, to halt rising salinity and create a more sustainable farm, and community. These new crops also provide an environment for native species, such as the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos that nest on our property.”

Rob Mitchell (right) is the fourth generation of his family to run sheep on Barnong Station. He has been involved with the Yalgoo Landcare Group and is a member of the Regional Environmental Management Program (REMP) of the Gascoyne Murchison area.

“When we took over the property in early 1980 we realized that, if we or our children were going to be here in the future, we had to run it in an environmentally sustainable way.
We started monitoring the health of the vegetation, participated in the goat eradication program and developed strategies to reduce grazing pressure in dry times. Also, we have been involved in the Environmental Management Unit, which teaches pastoralists new ways to view and monitor biodiversity and environmental health on the rangelands”.

FACTFILE
• Salinity is now the greatest environmental threat facing Western Australia. It has already impacted on biodiversity, rural infrastructure such as roads and buildings, and current and future water resources.
• 1.8 million hectares of south-west agricultural land are already affected by salinity. It is predicted that six million hectares will be affected eventually.
• Without action, 450 plant species endemic to the region will become extinct and there will be a serious decline in waterbirds.
• 85% of Western Australia’s land mass is rangeland. Grazing has caused widespread soil erosion and land degradation. Uncontrolled grazing has damaged wildlife habitats and led to siltation of rivers.