Our Patch / Catchment Care is a program which enables individuals, community groups, businesses and schools to adopt and care for a local patch of the environment - most often a creek or river.
The program was originally established by Catchment Water Management Boards. These Boards have now merged to form the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board and as a result the individual Our Patch and Catchment Care programs operating across the Adelaide area have now also merged. The names of the program may vary from area to area, in some places the community refer to it as the "Our Patch" program, while in other areas it is called a "Catchment Care" program. However, while the names may different, the principles and services delivered by the program are the same.
With support from an Our Patch / Catchment Care Project Officer each group works to improve the environmental health of theirr patch (eg: water quality, biodiversity, natural habitats) by implementing environmental best practice in consultation with all other organisations and individuals with an interest in their site. Some groups also use their sites to educate the community about the environment and local environmental issues.
Through the Catchment Care / Our Patch program, eligible groups or individuals can access funding grants and professional advice, participate in workshops and field trips, and be a part of an established network of like-minded community members. And best of all you will be doing something worthwhile for the environment.
What support is available through the Our Patch / Catchment Care program
The program can help by providing technical, financial, in-kind and general support to individuals and groups wishing to care for a patch of watercourse.
Trained Catchment Care / Our Patch Officers can assist in the following ways:
- Identifying locations that need your help
- Assisting groups to put together an action plan
- Help in selecting appropriate local species for revegetation
- Supply local provenance plants for your patch
- Providing training in various techniques used in environmental management
- Assisting groups to apply for funding
- In some cases, providing access to a materials allowance.
For schools involved, the Catchment Care / Our Patch Officer can assist teachers in locating an appropriate site for revegetation and liaising with landowners such as Council to obtain permission and management support.
The Officer may also be able to provide seed propagation workshops to classes and coordinate and assist with the supervision of planting days. On occasions the Project Officer may be available to give lessons on plant identification and the benefits for revegetation.
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Working on the site
Each site has its own environmental issues, consequently the work carried out on each site will differ too. Example of the types of work that groups have been involved in include:
- Removing exotic (weed) plant species.
- Revegetation with native species.
- Environmental education projects.
- Installation interpretive structures and materials to aid environmental education.
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How do I join a group
There are many Our Patch / Catchment Care groups already operating in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board area, and many of these are keen for new members. Contact your Our Patch / Catchment Care Project Officer for more information and to help you find a group that will suit you.
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How do I start a patch of my own?
Adopting a Patch brings with it responsibilities and will require long-term commitment, but will prove very rewarding. Go to the "Forming a group" section of this website for more information and tips.
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Contact a Project Officer now
Our Patch / Catchment Care Officers are situated across the Adelaide area, click on link provided to meet your nearest Officer. - Find a Project Officer
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