Led by Prof Allan Curtis
This SRA ceased operating as a formal SRA at the end of 2014 though some of the Institute's researchers, including a number of PhD students, continued to work in this research area.
The information on these pages is accurate to the end of 2016 when reporting for SRA was completed for the 2015-16 Biennial Report. All reporting for our projects is now found in relevant areas under the four research themes.
The aim of this SRA was to improve regional Natural Resource Management decision making.
Its researchers aimed to:
The ILWS team engaged in research examining the social dimensions of NRM was made up of eight researchers, ranging from senior researchers in their field to early-career researchers, one post-doctoral research fellow, and six PhD students. It had a strong track record and made substantial contributions to knowledge, management and policy, research methods and training. While pursuing important social research questions, the team contributed to integrated research that attempted to predict the environmental, economic and social impacts of changes in water availability as a result of new policies, climate change or the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater.
This SRA was at the forefront of efforts in Australia to identify ways social research can contribute to integrated research teams. Much of that experience was gained through contributions to large, mufti-disciplinary projects such as Landscape Logic, one of the research hubs in the Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities Program (2007-2011) and projects under the National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training (NCGRT) (2009-2014) and the Landscapes and Policy Hub funded by SEWPAC (2012-2013).
Prof Curtis was a Principal Investigator with the NCGRT and led the team of ILWS researchers who undertook the majority of the social research component of the NCGRT's Program 5: Integrating socio-economics, policy and decisions support systems over a five year period. This project was done as a series of sub-projects including the:
Another projects completed included one under the Landscapes and Policy Hub "Integrating community values into regional sustainability planning: the Lower Hunter region" which recommended innovative ways for balancing conservation and development in the Lower Hunter, including maps which show the potential for conflict between development and conservation proposals. Another "Let's Talk Fish: Assisting Industry to understand and inform conversation about the sustainability of wild catch fishing" resulted in a communication strategy presented to the industry. An important achievement of this SRA was the development of long-term partnerships with Catchment Management Authorities. Prof Curtis pioneered the use of mail surveys to gather spatially-referenced social data to assist with the implementation and evaluation of regional NRM. To date projects have been completed in eight regions across south eastern Australia with the social benchmarking methodology developed by this team being used for two projects funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The team was also involved in two collaborative international research projects with other social scientists from Canada and the U.S. (both funded by the U.S. Joint Fire Science program) looking at trust between managers and residents in fire-prone communities; and the management of multi-functional landscapes at the interface of public forests and private land.
Pressures arising from population growth, rising living standards and consumption of resources, climatic variability and globalisation are becoming important drivers of regional change and development.
How rural and regional communities respond to these challenges will depend on how engaged they are with the issues, their preparedness and ability to respond, in Australia and beyond. In Australia Natural Resource Management (NRM) is increasingly structured around a regional delivery model where planning and implementation is guided by national and state priorities but mostly occurs at the regional scale.
The Australian landscape has been modified by people over millennia. Its land and water degradation is a result of the interactions between people and the natural environment. For NRM plans to be successful they need to be based on an understanding of the social context and must consider the social impacts of proposed actions. While there appears to be an increased appreciation of the potential contribution of the social sciences to NRM in Australia, there is little evidence that existing regional NRM plans are underpinned by social research. Accordingly there are opportunities for social research to play an important role at various steps in regional NRM (such as helping articulate a vision and objective; and identifying targets for the implementation of management actions).
Members | Expertise |
---|---|
Prof Allan Curtis | Conservation behaviour of rural landholders; program evaluations; local organisations |
Dr Emily Mendham | Social research of natural resource management |
Dr Michael Mitchell | Triple bottom line reporting; social dimensions of ground water management |
Dr Penny Davidson (Adjunct) | Social research |
Dr Digby Race (Adjunct) | Social implications of natural resource management; community-based forestry; program evaluations |
Dr Nicki Mazur (Adjunct) | Community engagement; environmental values & behaviour; environmental policy; program evaluation |
Dr Rod Griffith (adjunct) | NRM governance, resilience, societal change agendas, and planning |
Dr Chris Raymond (Adjunct) | Climate change adaptation planning, conservation policy, sustainable agriculture, water management and community development. |
Dr Maureen Rogers | Environmental Economics |
Dr Joanne Millar | Evaluation of extension programs; capacity building in NRM and agriculture; scaling up technology adoption; planning for multifunctional rural landscapes |
Royce Sample | The connection between agriculture & NRM practices; NRM program management |
Simon McDonald | Geographical Information Systems; remote sensing and statistics |
Key outcomes or examples of how the work of this SRA has made a difference include:
Billabong Yanco social research, Mitchell,M. & Minato,W. (2016) Murray Local Land Services, $30,000 Project details
Community groups capacity check. Allan,C. & Mitchell,M. (2015-2016) Murray Local Land Services, $29,900 Project details
Stakeholder satisfaction survey. Allan,C (2015) Murray Local Land Services, $14,900 Project details
North Central Social Benchmarking Study. Curtis, A. & Mendham, E. (2013-2015) North Central CMA, $70,000 Project details
Social research to support the Gunbower Island Environmental Water and Forest Protection projects, Curtis, A. & Mendham, E. (2014-2018), North Central Catchment Management Authority, $100,000
National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training: Program 5: Integrating socio-economics, policy and decision support systems (social research component). Curtis, A., Mitchell, M., Mendham, E & Sharp, E. (2009-2014). ARC/ National Water Commission. This project initially received $650,000 plus $65,000 from NSW Government plus $100K from NCGRT Project details
Managing Multi-functional Landscapes at the Interface of Public Forests and Private Land, Curtis, A., & Rogers, M. in collaboration with The Ohio State University and Colorado State University, US Joint Fire Service Program, (2013-14) $60,000
Let's Talk Fish: Assisting industry to understand and inform conversation about the sustainability of wild catch fishing. Mazur, N., Curtis A., and Bodsworth, A. Fisheries Research & Development Corporation. $195,000 (2012-2014) Project details Final Report http://frdc.com.au/research/final-reports/Pages/2012-301-DLD.aspx
Predicting the response of water quality and groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE) to climate change and land management practises: an integrated modelling approach, Curtis, A. (2012-2014) NCGRT, University of Canberra Collaborative Research Networks and CSU $180,000 Project details
Critical review of available information relating to the enjoyment and appreciation of the natural environment associated with Victoria's existing marine protected area, Curtis, A. & Davidson, P. Victorian Environment Assessment Council, (2013) $35,000 Project Report, Supplementary Report
Data Analysis for Loddon River Projects. Curtis, A. (2013-2014) North Central CMA, $3000
Integrating Community Values into Regional Sustainability Planning: The Lower Hunter Region, NSW. Curtis, A. Raymond, C. (2012 -2014) SEWPAC, $175,000 Project details
Understanding landholder responses to water reform and climate change in the Namoi Valley. Curtis, A., Sharp, E. CRC Cotton Catchment Communities/ ANU. (2011-2013) $150,000. Project details
Analyzing Social Drivers of Catchment Management in the Wimmera for the Wimmera Waterway Strategy, Mendham, E . Wimmera CMA, (2013) $5000 Project details
Advancing Knowledge about Citizen-Agency Trust in Wildland Fire Management: A Collaborative Assessment Framework for the U.S. and Australia. Curtis, A. Shindler, B., (Oregon State University), Sharp, E. (CSU), McCaffrey, S., (USA Forest Service), McGee, T., (University of Alberta), McFarlane, B. (Canadian Forest Service). (2010-2013) Joint Fire Science Program (USA). Trust Planning Guide -https://www.firescience.gov/projects/10-3-01-25/project/10-3-01-25_Trust_Planning_Guide.pdf
Social Benchmarking for NRM in the North Central Region, Curtis, A & Mendham, E. NCCMA, $25,000 (2013) Project details
Mapping community values for regional sustainability in the Lower Hunter region of NSW, Raymond, C., Curtis, A. (2012-13) National Environmental Research Program (NERP) Landscape and Policy Hub, $175,000 Project details
The social drivers of catchment management in the Wimmera CMA. Curtis, A., Mendham, E. (2011-2012) Wimmera CMA. $72,000 Project details
Climate change, technology and water policy drivers in cotton catchments. Curtis, A & Sharp, E (post-doc). Cotton Catchment Communities CRC & ANU. (2010-2012)
Transformation for resilient landscapes and communities—Murray case study. Griffith, R., Curtis, A., Mitchell,M., Brown, V., (ANU), Walker, B. National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, NSW Natural resources Commission, Murray Catchment Management Authority & Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. (2009-2012) Project details
Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities Program (CERF Landscape Logic): Project 2: social research. Curtis, A., Race, D., Minato, W., Thwaites, R., Rogers, M., Mazur, N., McDonald, S., Sample, R., Mitchell, M. (2007-2011)Total funding $725,000. Department of Environment and Water. [Summary Sheet PDF]
Exploring the social construction of risk in the groundwater context. Curtis A., Mendham, E. (2011) CRC Cotton Catchment Communities/ ANU. $100,000.
Landscape-scale conservation of threatened grassy woodlands in the Greater Murray-Goulburn Catchment. Curtis, A. Race, D. . (2011) $34,650.
Strategic research plan for School of Geography and Environmental Studies. Curtis, A. University of Tasmania. (2010). $11,000.
Management of Riparian Land in Tasmania Curtis, A., Race, D., Sample, R. and McDonald, S. (2007-2010) Funding Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts. [Summary Sheet PDF]
Landholder use of stock and domestic and riparian rights to access Murrumbidgee River water. Curtis, A., Mazur, N. (2009-10) State Water NSW $127,000.
Monitoring and evaluation of the Victorian Landcare program. Curtis, A. (2009-2010). $81,000.
Understanding landholder participation in the Loddon Stressed Rivers Program. Curtis, A. (2009-2010). North Central Catchment Management Authority $99,000.
Coastcare group activity survey 2009. Curtis, A. (2009-2010) Department of Sustainability and Environment $11,000.
Landholder use of stock and domestic and riparian rights to access Murrumbidgee River Water. Curtis, A., & Mazur, N. (2009-2010) NSW State Water.
Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities Program (CERF Landscape Logic): Project 2: social research. Curtis, D., Race, D., Minato, W., Thwaites, R., Rogers, M., Mazur, N., McDonald, S., Sample, R., Mitchell, M. (2007-08) Department of Environment and Water.
Landholder adaptation to climate variability. Curtis, A., Thwaites, R., Mazur, N., Race, D. (2007-08) Natural Heritage Trust.
Social research to underpin implementation and evaluation of the riparian pilot project in the Ovens valley. Curtis, A., Allan, C., Howard, J. (2005-08). Natural Heritage Trust (via North East Catchment Management Authority).
Developing mutually-beneficial community-company partnerships for commercial forestry Race, D., Stewart,H., Sumirat, B. and colleagues at Indonesia's CIFOR, FORDA, WWF, and district forestry partners. (2005-2007) Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
2016
Clement, S., Moore, S. A., Lockwood, M., & Mitchell, M. (2016) Fit-for-purpose institutions? An evaluation of biodiversity conservation in the agricultural landscape of the Tasmanian Midlands, Australia. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2016.1162708
Mitchell, M., Lockwood, M., Moore, S. A., Clement, S., Gilfedder, L., & Anderson, G. (2016) Using scenario planning to assess governance reforms for enhancing biodiversity outcomes. Land Use Policy, 50, 559–572.. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.10.020
Mitchell, M., Lockwood, M., Moore, S. A., & Clement, S. (2016). Building systems-based scenario narratives for novel biodiversity futures in an agricultural landscape. Landscape and Urban Planning, 145, 45-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.09.003
Mitchell, M., Lockwood, M., Moore, S. A., Clement, S., Gilfedder, L., & Anderson, G. (2016). Using scenario planning to assess governance reforms for enhancing biodiversity outcomes. Land Use Policy, 50, 559–572. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.10.020
2015
Clement, S., Moore, S. A., Lockwood, M., & Mitchell, M. (2015) Using insights from pragmatism to develop reforms that strengthen institutional competence for conserving biodiversity. Policy Sciences. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11077-015-9222-0
Sinclair, K., Curtis, A., Mendham, E., & Mitchell, M. (2015). Assessing the efficacy of transition theory to identify industry transformation: a case study examining deregulation of Australia's dairy industry. Australian Geographer, 46(1), 113–129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2014.986790
Mitchell, M., Lockwood, M., Moore, S. A., & Clement, S. (2015). Scenario analysis for biodiversity conservation: a social–ecological system approach in the Australian Alps. Journal of Environmental Management, 150, 69-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.11.013
2014
Curtis, A., Ross, H., Marshall, G.R., Baldwin, C., Cavaye, J., Freeman, C., Carr, A., and Syme, G. (2014) The great experiment with devolved NRM governance: lessons from community engagement in Australia and New Zealand since the 1980s. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management 21:2, 179-199.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2014.935747
Gentle, P., Thwaites, R., Race, D., & Alexander, K. (2014). Differential impacts of climate change on com- munities in the middle hills region of Nepal, Natural Hazards, 74(2),815-836.
Groth, T., Curtis, A., Mendham, E., & Toman, E. (2014). Farmer identity in multifunctional landscapes: using a collective identity construct to explore the nature and impact of occupational identity. Australian Geographer. 45 (1), 71-86
Mendham, E., & Curtis, A. (2014). What lies beneath: rural landholder interpretation of the risks of aquifer exploitation in Australia. Journal of Hydrology 511, 180-189
Mitchell, M., Griffith, R., Ryan, P., Walkerden, G., Walker, B., Brown, V., et al. (2014). Applying resilience thinking to natural resource management through a "planning-by-doing" framework. Society and Natural Resources, 27(3), 299-314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2013.861556
Mitchell, M., Lockwood, M., Moore, S. A., & Clement, S. (in press). Incorporating governance influences into social-ecological system models: a case study involving biodiversity conversation. Journal of Environ- mental Planning and Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2014.967387
Sharp, E. and Curtis, A. (2014) Can NRM agencies rely on capable and effective staff to build trust in the agency? Australasian Journal of Environmental Management. Volume 21, Issue 3, pages 268-280
Sinclair, K., Curtis, A., Mendham, E., & Mitchell, M. (2014) Can resilience thinking provide useful insights for those examining efforts to transform contemporary agriculture? Agriculture and Human Values. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10460-014-9488-4
2013
Groth, T.M., Vogt, C.A. (2013) Rural wind farm development: Social, environmental and economic features important to local residents, Renewable Energy http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.08.035
Lennox, G., and Curtis, A. (2013) Trends in absentee ownership of rural land since European occupation of south east Australia. Australian Geographer 44(4): 419-433
Mazur, N., Curtis, A., & Rogers, M. (2013) Do you see what I see? Rural landholders' belief in climate change. Society and Natural Resources. DOI:10.1080/08941920.2012.686650
Mitchell, M. (20130 From organisational to social learning: A tale of two organisations in the Murray-Darling Basin, Rural Society 22:3, pp 230-241
Olsen, C.S., and Sharp, E. (2013) Building community-agency trust in fire affected communities in Australian and the United States. International Journal of Wildland Fire 22(6) 822-831 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF12086
Sharp, E., Thwaites, R., Curtis, A., & Millar, J. (2013) Factors affecting community-agency trust before, during and after a wildfire: An Australian case study. Journal of Environmental Management.130:10-19 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.08.037
2012
Rawluk, A., Curtis, A., Sharp, E., Kelly, B., Jakeman, T., Ross, A., Arshad, M., Brodie, R., Pollino, C., Sinclair, D., Croke, B., and Querishi, E. (2012) Managed Aquifer Recharge in farming landscapes using large floods: an opportunity to improve outcomes for the MDB? Australasian Journal of Environmental Management DOI: 10.1080/14486563.2 PDF Version
Minato, W., Curtis, A., & Allan, C. (2012) Understanding the role and influence of social norms: lessons for NRM. Local Environment, 17:8, 863-877 DOI:10.1080/13549839.2012.714758
Rogers, M., Curtis, A., & Mazur, N. (2012) The influence of cognitive processes on rural landholder responses to climate change. Journal of Environmental Management, 258-266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.07.015
Sharp, E., Curtis, A., Thwaites, R., & Millar, J. (2012) Trust and trustworthiness: conceptual distinctions and their implications for natural resources management Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. DOI:10.1080/09640568.2012.717052
Mitchell, M., Curtis, A., & Davidson, P. (2012). Can triple bottom line reporting become a cycle for "double loop" learning and radical change? Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 25(6), 1048-1068. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09513571211250242
Zukowski, S., Watts, R.J.; Curtis, A. (2012) Linking biology to fishing regulations: Australia's Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus). Ecological Management & Restoration 13 (2), 183-190
Mazur, N., Curtis, A., and Rogers, M. (2012) Do you see what I see? Rural landholders' belief in climate change. Society and Natural Resources. DOI:10.1080/08941920.2012.686650
Mendham, E., A. Curtis, and J. Millar. 2012. The natural resource management implications of rural property turnover. Ecology and Society 17(4): 5
Race,D., Curtis, A., & Sample,R (2012): Restoring the bush on private land:
perspectives of landholders in Victoria, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management,
Mitchell, M., Curtis, A., Sharp, E., & Mendham, E. (2012). Directions for social research to underpin improved groundwater management. Journal of Hydrology, 448-449, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169412003563
2011
Stewart, H.T.L., Race, D.H., and Curtis, A.L. (2011) New forests in changing landscapes in south-east Australia. International Forestry Review, 13(1): 67-79.
Ticehurst, J.L., Curtis, A. and Merritt, W.S. (2011) Using Bayesian Networks to complement conventional analyses to explore landholder management of native vegetation. Environmental Modelling & Software, 26:52-65.
Stewart, H.T.L., Race, D.H., Curtis, A.L., and Stewart, A.J.K. (2011) A case study of socio-economic returns from farm forestry and agriculture in south east Australia. Forest Policy & Economics 13: 390–395.
Zukowski, S., Curtis, A., and Watts, R. (2011) Using fisher local ecological knowledge to improve management: the Murray Crayfish in Australia. Fisheries Research, 110: 120–127
Seymour, E., Curtis, A., and Pannell, D. (2011) Same river, different values and why it matters Ecological Management & Restoration, 12(3): 207-213
2010
Curtis, A., and Lefroy, T. (2010) Beyond threat and asset-based approaches to natural resource management in Australia. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management 17: 6-13.
Earl, G., Curtis, A., and Allan C. (2010) Between carrots and big sticks: a duty of care for biodiversity conservation: towards a shared understanding. Environmental Management, 45(3): 425-428.
Earl, G., Curtis, A., and Allan, C. (2010) Social acceptability of a duty of care for biodiversity. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 17: 8-17.
Earl, G., Curtis, A., & Allan, C. (2010). Towards a Duty of Care for Biodiversity Environmental Management, 45, 682-696.
Lockwood, M., Davidson, J., Curtis, A., Stratford, E., and Griffith, R.. (2010) Governance principles for natural resource management. Society and Natural Resources, 23 (10): 986-1001.
Mendham, E., and Curtis, A. (2010) Taking over the reins: trends and impacts of changes in rural property ownership. Society and Natural Resources 23:(7): 653-668.
Minato, W., Curtis, A., and Allan, C. (2010) Social norms and natural resource management in a changing community. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 12:4, 381-403.
Rogers, M., Curtis, A., Mazur, N., and Thwaites, R. (2010) Understanding rural landholder responses to climate change in North East Victoria. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program. Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts, Canberra.
Seymour, E. J., Curtis, A., Pannell, D. J., Allan, C., & Roberts, A. M. (2010). Understanding the role of assigned values in natural resource management. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 17(3), 142-153.
Allan, C., Curtis, A., & Shindler, B. (2012) Watershed scale adaptive management: a social science perspective, Chapter 10 in J. Stanturf (Ed.), Forest Landscape Restoration: Integrating Natural and Social Sciences: Springer
Race, D., Curtis, A., Duncan, D., Kyle, G., Merritt, W. and Park, G. (2012). Exploring landscape history using integrated participatory research: experiences from Victoria, Chapter 11 in E. Lefroy, A. Curtis, A. Jakeman and J. McKee (eds) Landscape Logic: Integrated science for landscape management, CSIRO publishing, Collingwood, Melbourne.
Curtis, A., and Mendham, M. (2011) Bridging the gap between policy and management of natural resources. In D. Pannell & F, Vanclay (Eds.), Understanding practice change by rural landholders. CSIRO Publishing.
Millar, J. (2011). Extension for Natural Resource Management: changing roles, approaches and methods. In Jennings, J., Woodside, D., and Packham, R. (eds) Enabling the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Agricultural Production: The Role of Extension. Australasia Pacific Extension Network (APEN). Pp 79-84.
2010
Mendham, M., Gosnell, H., and Curtis, A. (2010) Rural property ownership dynamics: international trends and implications for natural resource management. In: G. Luck, R. Black & D. Race (eds) Demographic change in rural Australia. Springer. 2.
Stewart, H., Race, D., and Curtis, A. (2010). Demographic change and the implications for commercial forestry: Lessons from south-east Australia (chapter 9). In: G. Luck, R. Black & D. Race (eds) Demographic change in rural Australia. Springer.
2009
Allan, C. (2009). Reviewing adaptive management through a wicked lens. In M. Lane, C. Robinson & B. Taylor (Eds.), Contested Country: Local and Regional Natural Resources Management in Australia. Brisbane: CSIRO Publishing. http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6002.htm
Race, D. (2009) Adoption of agroforestry in Australia (Chapter 19). In: I. Nuberg, B. George & R. Reid (eds) Agroforestry for natural resource management. CSIRO Publishing: 323-340
2014
Mazur, N., Curtis, A., Bodsworth, A (2014) Let's Talk Fish. Assisting industry to understand and inform conversations about the sustainability of wild-catch fishing. Report prepared for Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (2014) Report PDF
2013
Davidson, P., Curtis, A. (2013) A review of the concepts of enjoyment, appreciation and understanding as applied to Victoria's Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Technical report #71, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW
Raymond, C., and Curtis, A. (2013) Mapping community values for regional sustainability in the Lower Hunter Region, Landscapes and Policy Hub, University of Tasmania, National Environmental Research Program, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water and Population, Australian Government, Canberra, Australia. http://www.nerplandscapes.edu.au/publication/mapping-community-values-regional-sustainability-lower-hunter-region
Ticehurst J.L., Sharp E. and Curtis A. (2013), A Bayesian Network to Explore the Adoption of Various Management Practices for use in an Integrated Model of Water Access by Groundwater License Holders, Final Technical Report, National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA.
2012
Curtis, A. and Mendham, E. (2012) The social drivers of natural resource management in the Wimmera region. A report to the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority. Technical report #68, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW PDF Version
Sharp, E., and Curtis, A(2012) Groundwater management in the Namoi: a social perspective A report to the Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre. Technical report #67, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW. PDF Version
2011
Curtis, A., and Race, D. (2011) Working with landholders to achieve long-term commitment to improved management of native vegetation. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program, Canberra. PDF Version
Race, D., Curtis, A., and McDonald, S. (2011) Social research for the project: landscape scale conservation of threatened Grassy Woodlands in the Greater Murray-Goulburn catchment. A report to the North East Catchment Management Authority. Technical report #64, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW. PDF Version
Mitchell, M., Curtis, A., Sharp, E. & Mendham, E. (2011) Social research to improve groundwater governance: literature review. A report to the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Institute for Land, Water and Society (Technical report #66), Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW. PDF Version
2010
Allan, C. (2010). Rapid, small scale socioeconomic studies for natural resource management (No. 54). Albury-Wodonga: Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University.
Curtis, A., and Sample, R. (2010) CBNRM in Victoria: contributing to dialogue, learning and action. A report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Curtis, A., and Curtis, S. (2010) Coastcare in Victoria: finding from the 2009 survey. A report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Curtis, A., and Mazur, N. (2010) Delivery and use of stock and domestic water in the Murrumbidgee Valley. A report to State Water NSW and Water for Rivers. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Curtis, A., Sample, R., McDonald, S. R., and Mazur, N. (2010) Landholder participation in the Loddon Stressed Rivers Program. A report to the North Central Catchment Management Authority. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Ticehurst, J., and Curtis, A. (2010) The development of Bayesian networks to explore the adoption of riparian management practices in Tasmania. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program, Canberra.
Race, D., Sample, R., Curtis, A., and McDonald, S. (2010) Management of native vegetation on private land: perspectives of landholders and NRM program managers in northern Victoria. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program, Canberra.
Race, D. and Curtis, A. (2010) Working with landholders to achieve long-term commitment to improved management of native vegetation. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program, Canberra.
2014
Groth, T. (2014) Using a collective identity construct to explore the role of occupational identity in rural landholders: A comparative study analyzing 'farming' identities' presented at a Collaboration & Innovation Across the Food System joint annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS) University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. June 18–22
2013
Groth, T., Curtis, A., Mendham, E., and E. Toman (2013) Occupational identity in multifunctional landscapes. 19th International Symposium on Society and Research Management, June 4-8, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
2012
Curtis, A. (2012) The changing social context of farming: challenging contemporary ideas. Invited presentation to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria's Annual Conference, June 3, Bendigo, Victoria.
Sinclair, K., Curtis, A., Mitchell, M., and Mendham, E. (2012). Transformative change in contemporary Australian Agriculture. Presented to the 18th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, June 17-21, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Mendham, E. and Curtis, A. (2012). Changing social landscapes: what does it mean for natural resource management? Presented to the 18th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, June 17-21, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Rawluk, A., Curtis, A., and Sharp, E. (2012) Exploring the social acceptability of conjunctive surface and groundwater management in farming landscapes: A case study in the Namoi watershed, Australia. Presented to the 18th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, June 17-21, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Rawluk, A., Curtis, A., Sharp, E. (2012) April 26/27, The social acceptability of MAR in farming landscapes: findings from the Namoi. Presented to the NCGRT National Workshop, MAR in farming landscapes, April 26/27, University House, ANU, Canberra, ACT.
Curtis, A. (2012) The social context of farming: some contemporary trends. Invited presentation to the 2012 Soil Health Forum, June 6, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria.
Curtis, A. (2012) Managed Aquifer Recharge: making better use of water. Presented to the 2012 Groundwater for Decision Makers, May 30, University House, ANU, Canberra, ACT.
Curtis, A., and Mendham, E. (2012) Understanding the social drivers for NRM in the Wimmera region (2011 survey). Presented to the WCMA Board, May 23, Horsham and Stawell, Victoria.
2011
Curtis, A. (2011) Building collaborative research partnerships. A Keynote presentation to the University of Ballarat's Wimmera Regional Research Forum, November 29, Horsham, Victoria, Australia.
Curtis, A. (2011) Social research for regional NRM. A Keynote presentation to the 2011 NSW Landcare and Catchment Management Conference, Talking differently: new solutions to old problems, September 5-7, Parkes, NSW, Australia.
Merritt W., Ticehurst J., Curtis A., and Pollino, C. (2011) Factors influencing landholder adoption of best management practices, Australian Water Association Conference (Victorian Branch), August 22-23, Wangaratta. Victoria, Australia.
Curtis, A., and Ticehurst, J. (2011) Bayesian Decision Networks: a useful approach for social research? Paper presented to the 17th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management. June 6-9, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Sharp, E., and Curtis A. (2011) Translating lessons learned about building community-agency trust in wildfire management to water reform. Paper presented to the 17th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management. June 6-9, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Mendham, E., and Curtis, A. (2011) Rural landscapes in transition: the drivers and implications of rural property turnover in SE Australia. Paper presented to the 17th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management. June 6-9, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
2010
Curtis, A. And Mitchell, M. (2010) Social research for groundwater management: we know we need it but what is it? Paper presented to the National Groundwater Conference 2010, The challenges of sustainable management. October 31-November 4, Canberra, Australia.
Curtis, A., Mazur, N., Rogers, N., and Thwaites, R. (2010) Understanding rural landholder responses to climate change. Paper presented to the 16th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management Corpus Christi, Texas USA June 6-10, 2010
Mazur, N., and Curtis, A. (2010) Let the river flow: riparian landholder understanding and use of water from the Murrumbidgee. Paper presented to the 16th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management Corpus Christi, Texas USA June 6-10, 2010
Milllar, J. (2010) The Role of Extension in Natural Resource Management. In Jennings J., Packham R., Woodside D. Eds. (2010) Shaping Change: Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and the Role of Extension. Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN), Australia
2009 Allan, C. and Wilson, B. P. (2009). Meeting in the Middle— desirable not easy. Environmental Policy and Governance 19, 388-399.
Curtis, A., Race, D., Sample, R., and McDonald, S. (2009) Management of waterways and adjoining land in Tasmania. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program. Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts, Canberra.
Kelly, B., Allan, C., & Wilson, B. P. (2009). Soil Indicators and their use by farmers in the Billabong Catchment, southern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 47, 1-9
Lockwood, M., Davidson, J., Stratford, E., Curtis, A., and Griffith, R. (2009) Multi-level environmental governance: lessons from Australia for natural resource management. Australian Geographer, 40 (2): 169-186.
Race, D., Stewart, H., Sumirat, B. et al. (2009) Partnerships for involving small-scale growers in commercial forestry: lessons from Australia and Indonesia. International Forestry Review ,Vol.11(1): 88-97
Ticehurst, J.L., Curtis, A., and Merritt. W.S., (2010) Using Bayesian Networks to complement conventional analyses to explore landholder management of native vegetation. Environmental Modelling & Software. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2010.03.032
2008
Allan, C., Curtis, A., Stankey, G., and Shindler, B. (2008). Adaptive management and watersheds: A social science perspective. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 44(1), 166-174
Allan, C., Khan, S., & Davidson, B. (2008). Assessing social acceptability of management options for harmonising irrigation with environmental concerns: A case study from the Murrumbidgee Valley, Australia. Water SA, 34(4), 517-522.
Atkinson, J., Black, R., and Curtis, A. (2008) Exploring the digital divide in an Australian regional city: Albury as a case study. Australian Geographer, 39 (4): 479-493
Harrington, C., Curtis, A., and Black, R. (2008) Locating communities in natural resource management. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 10 (2): 199-215.
Mazur, N., and Curtis, A. (2008). Understanding community perceptions of aquaculture: Lessons from Australia. Aquaculture International, 16(6), 601-621
Mitchell, M., Curtis, A., and Davidson, P. (2008). Evaluating the process of triple bottom line reporting: Increasing the potential for change. Local Environment, 13(2), 67-80.
2007
Mendham E., Millar, J., and Curtis, A. (2007) Landholder participation in native vegetation management in irrigation areas, Journal of Ecological Management and Restoration, Vol. 8(1), pp. 42-48.
2005
Curtis, A., Byron, I., and MacKay, J. (2005) Integrating socio-economic and biophysical data to underpin collaborative watershed management. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 41 (3):549-563.
2009 Allan, C. & Stankey, G. H. (Eds.). (2009). Adaptive environmental management: a practitioner's guide. Dordrecht: Springer.
Allan, C., & Stankey, G. (2009). Synthesis of lessons. In C. Allan & G. Stankey (Eds.), Adaptive Environmental Management: A practitioner's guide. Dordrecht: Springer
2008
Race, D. & Stewart, H. (eds) (2008) Proceedings of the Australian Forest Growers National Conference: Albury-Wodonga 2008. Published by the Australian Forest Growers, ACT. 220 pages.
2007
Wilson, A., Dehaan, R., Watts, R., Bowmer, K., and Curtis, A. (eds) (2007) Proceedings of the 5th Australian Stream Management Conference: Australian rivers: making a difference. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia.
2008
Allan, C. (2008). Can adaptive management help us embrace the Murray-Darling Basin's wicked problems? In C. Pahl-Wostl, P. Kabat & J. Moltgen (Eds.), Adaptive and Integrated Water Management: coping with Complexity and Uncertainty (pp. 61-73). Berlin Heidelberg: Springer
2007
Curtis, A. (2007) Monitoring and evaluation of watershed initiatives: lessons from Landcare in Australia. in J. de Graaff, J. Cameron, S. Sombatpanit, C. Pieri and J. Woodhill (eds) Monitoring and evaluation of soil conservation and watershed development projects. Science Publishers, USA.
2009
Allan, C. (2009) Roadside Partnership Program. Institute for Land Water and Society, Report No 52. A report for the Indigo and Wangaratta Shire Councils funded by North East CMA
Sharp, E., Thwaites, R., Millar, J. & Curtis, A. (2009) Factors affecting community-agency trust in bushfire management: Community member perspectives. Institute for Land, Water and Society. Report No 51
Ticehurst, J., Curtis, A., and Merritt, W. (2009) Analysing social data on adoption of conservation practices: exploring Bayesian Networks. A report to Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program.
2008
Allan, C., & Wilson, B. (2008). Meeting in the Middle: An evaluation of a novel approach to sharing information on soil health in the Murray Catchment. Unpublished report for the Murray Catchment Management Authority and the Meeting in the Middle Committee. Institute for Land, Water and Society Report #42.
Curtis, A., McDonald, S., Sample, R., and Mendham, E. (2008) Understanding the social drivers for natural resource management in the Wimmera region. Institute for Land, Water and Society Report # 46, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Curtis, A., Sample, R., and McDonald, S. (2008) Social research evaluating River Tender Program outcomes. A report to the North East Catchment Management. Institute for Land, Water and Society Report # 41 , Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
Curtis, A., Race, D., Sample, R. & McDonald, S. (2008) Management of water ways and adjoining land in the Mid-Goulburn River: landholder and other stakeholder actions and perspectives. Report for the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, ILWS Report # 40.
Curtis, A., Lucas, D., Nurse, M., and Skeen, M. (2008) Achieving NRM outcomes through voluntary action: lessons from landcare. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, Vic.
Lockwood, M., Davidson, J., Griffith, R., Stratford, E., and Curtis, A. (2008) Pathways to good practice in regional NRM governance: project summary and achievements. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania
Mazur, N., Curtis, A., Thwaites, R., and Race, D. (2008) Rural landholder adaptation to climate changes: social research perspectives. A report to the Landscape Logic, Commonwealth Environmental Research Program.
Seymour, E., Curtis, A., Pannell, D., Ridley, A., and Allan, C. (2008) Exploring community values assigned to natural assets on the Moolort Plains, Victoria. Institute for Land, Water and Society Report # 47. Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW
Thwaites, R., Curtis, A., Mazur, N., and Race, D. (2008). Understanding rural landholder responses to climate change. Institute for Land, Water and Society Report No. 48, Charles Sturt University Albury, NSW.
Watts, R.J., Allen, C., Bowmer, K.H., Page, K.J, Ryder, D.S. and Wilson, A.L. (2008.) Pulsed flows: a review of relative environmental costs and benefits, summary of current practice, and identification of prospective best practice and areas where future research can contribute. Report to National water Commission. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University.
2009
Curtis, A. (2009) Landcare's role in the landscape and the challengers ahead (as the community adapts to climate change and an uncertain future). Paper presented to the Mallee Landcare Regional Forum: Landcare – Meeting the challenge. February 25-26, Mildura, VIC, Australia.
Curtis, A. (2009) Providing the missing link: integrating socio-economic and biophysical data for watershed management. Paper presented to the 4th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. July 11-13, Athens, Greece.
Curtis, A. (2009) Understanding implementation by rural landholders. Paper presented Australian Academy of Sciences, 2009 Fenner Conference on the Environment: the art and science of good environmental decision making. March 10-12, Canberra.
Lunt, I., Allan, C., Morgan, J. & Spooner, P. (2009). Maximising conservation outcomes from passive regeneration of woody plants in agricultural regions. Biodiversity across the Borders Conference, University of Ballarat, June 19
Merritt, W.S., Duncan, D., Kyle, G. and Race, D. (2009). Using local knowledge to identify drivers of historic native vegetation change. In: Anderssen, R.S., Braddock, R.D. and Newham, L.T.H. (eds) Interfacing Modelling and Simulation with Mathematical and Computational Sciences. Proceedings of the 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 13-17 July 2009. ISBN: 978-0-9758400-7-8.
Minato, W., Curtis, A. and Allan, C. (2009) Social Research looking at NRM investment and Demographic Change. In Anderssen, R.S., R.D. Braddock and L.T.H. Newham (eds) 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, July 2009, pp. 2399-2405. ISBN: 978-0-9758400-7-8.
Race, D. and Curtis, A. (2009). Building long-term commitment by landholders to conservation of native vegetation: Characteristics of successful programs. In: Anderssen, R.S., Braddock, R.D. and Newham, L.T.H. (eds) Interfacing Modelling and Simulation with Mathematical and Computational Sciences. Proceedings of the 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 13-17 July 2009. ISBN: 978-0-9758400-7-8.
Thwaites, R., Curtis, A., Mazur, N., and Race, D. (2009) Understanding rural landholder responses to climate change: factors influencing landholder capacity to adapt. Paper presented to GREENHOUSE 2009: climate change and resources. March 23-26, Perth, Australia.
Thwaites, R (2009) Understanding rural landholders response to climate change: a social science approach to land management and biodiversity issues. Biodiversity across the Borders Conference, University of Ballarat, June 19
Ticehurst, J.L., Curtis, A. and Merritt, W.S. (2009) Analysing social data on adoption of conservation practices: Exploring Bayesian networks. In Anderssen, R.S., R.D. Braddock and L.T.H. Newham (eds) 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, July 2009, pp. 2450-2456.ISBN:978-0-9758400-7-8.
2008
Curtis, A. (2008) "Rural property turnover: trends and NRM implications" presented at the Understanding Practice Change by Rural Landholders symposium held in Melbourne, November 14, 2008.
Stewart, H., Race, D. & Curtis, A. (2008) Expansion of Plantation Forests in the Murray Valley Region of South Eastern Australia: Social Interactions and Prospects. In: D. Race & H. Stewart (eds) Proceedings of the Australian Forest Growers National Conference: Albury-Wodonga 2008. Published by the Australian Forest Growers, ACT. pp: 191-197.
2007
Millar, J. (2007) Extension for Natural Resource Management: Changing roles, approaches, methods and theories. In Proceedings of the 2007 APEN Forum, 12-13 November 2007, Canberra.
The launch of the trust guide associated with U.S Joint Fire Science Program was held at the Wodonga Fire Station, May 1, 2014. The launch was attended by about 20 stakeholders representing the Country Fire Association (CFA), NSW Rural Fire Services, the State Emergency Services, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, North East CMA and the Victorian Government's Integrated Fire Management Planning as well as the media.
Prof Curtis had extensive media coverage including ABC Bush Telegraph (radio) and Science Alert (web) following a release on the findings of a NCGRT/Cotton CRC survey in the Namoi catchment of NSW which found farmers supported storing extra water underground.
He has provided advice to Victoria and NSW community landcare organisations by assisting them in articulating a plausible argument for on-going Government support to landcare groups. In Victoria that work contributed to State Government lobbying effort, which eventually led to a renewed commitment of substantial funding for landcare. Meetings with the Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water, and the Minister for Primary Industries in Sydney also took place in NSW.
The SRA was successful in obtaining international funding for two projects.
Advancing Knowledge about Citizen-Agency Trust in Wildland Fire Management: A Collaborative Assessment Framework for the U.S. and Australia, led by Professor Bruce Shindler from Oregon State University.
The Australian launch of the booklet, Trust: A Planning Guide for Wildfire Agencies & Practitioners was attended by Prof Shindler in May 2014.
Managing Multifunctional Landscapes at the Interface of Public Forests and Private Land" (2013-2014) led by Professor Eric Toman from Ohio State University.
In 2013/14 the Institute hosted Japanese PhD student Tomomi Maekawa, from Tokyo Institute of Technology, to study Landcare in Australia over a 12 months period.
Short visits to the Institute were made by her supervisor Professor Toshio Kuwako, from Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Professor Michael Seigel and Dr Kazuki Kagohashi, from Nanzan University, as well as the chair of Australian Landcare International, Rob Youl.
Students | Research Topic |
---|---|
Jenny Sherry | The social-cultural context of vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal |
PhD student completions | |
Dr Theresa Groth | |
Dr Saideepa Kumar | |
Dr Katrina Sinclair | In a changing climate how will farming systems exposed to reduced water availability respond to secure a sustainable future? |
Dr Gina Lennox | Absentee ownership of rural land: Modes, trends and implications. |
Dr Andrea Rawluk | Interpreting regional landscape change: a case study of the Ovens, Victoria, Australia |