RIRDC - Research Compendium 1993

Rural Industries
Research & Development Corporation

Research Compendium 1993 - 1994

Research Project

HEAL STUDY OF THE LANDCARE LINK

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Hamilton Environmental Awareness and Learning Project (HEAL) in providing a landcare extension service.
To assess HEAL as a model of environmental education and tourism.

Background

HEAL is concerned with promoting awareness and learning related to ameliorating land degradation and to environmentally-enhancing land management practices. HEAL visits had a significant impact on the ideas and thinking of most visitors - both farmer or landholders and tertiary students. Many visitors presented detailed and extended expositions of ideas they had derived from the visits, indicating that the ideas formed were strongly held.

Research

Within these objectives the study sought to establish the extent to which people develop and use knowledge gained from using the HEAL service.

Separate studies of the two major groups of demonstration visitors (farmer/ landholders and tertiary students) were undertaken. Information was also obtained from Landcare facilitators or coordinators about aspects of the HEAL program.

Outcome

There was considerable behaviour change as a consequence of HEAL visits - 60% of farmer/landholder visitors nominated activities they had undertaken as a result of the HEAL visit. At least half the farmers in the focus groups indicated they had undertaken some activity, or had been reinforced in existing activities, as a consequence of the HEAL visit. Half of the tertiary visitors indicated that they intended to do something different in work or private life as a result of the HEAL visit. Tertiary and farmer visitors frequently claimed they had been enthused, and sometimes inspired, as a result of the visits to HEAL sites.

Implications

Environmental extension programs such as the HEAL program, once they are established on a commercial basis, are a potentially efficient way for a large number of people to observe and learn about land management systems, practices and techniques. When established on a fully commercial basis, they may provide an additional source of income for participating farmers. Recommendations related to the development of similar environmental extension programs are considered in the report.

RIRDC Project No: HEA-1A

RESEARCHER: Dr John Cary

ORGANISATIONS: VIC Dept of Agriculture

University of Melbourne

PARKVILLE VIC 3052

PHONE: 03 344 5016

FAX: 03 344 5570

PUBLICATIONS:

A. Campbell 1991. Landcare - Testing Times - National Landcare Facilitators - 2nd Annual Report.

J. Rush , 1992. A Review of the Efficiency of the Landcare Group Facilitation Project, Land Resources Division DPIE Canberra.

Decade of Landcare Steering Committee 1992. Victoria Decade of Landcare Plan.