NRM Groups have very important roles and responsibilities in the continued and appropriate management of our precious natural resources. They are a vital link between communities and the SE NRM Board. They support and contribute to the Board’s activities and ensure a consistent and integrated approach is achieved.
The Central NRM Group is bounded by the coast to the west, the Victorian border to the east, the Kingston and Naracoorte Lucindale boundaries to the North and the Wattle Range Council to the South. It includes the District Council of Robe, the District Council of Kingston and the Naracoorte Lucindale Council areas.
James Ferguson - Chairperson
James is a former high school principal and Agriculture Science teacher. He has considerable experience and background in Botany, Agronomy, Environmental Science and Agricultural Science. He is also involved with the Australian Plants Society and the Friends of Butcher Gap Park Committee.
Heather Kriesl
Heather brings an incredible 29 years experience as a Field Naturalist. She has worked as an interpretation/Information Officer at Bool Lagoon Game Reserve and Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park. She also worked for 5 years with CSIRO on breeding and releasing biological control for the Bridal Creeper.
Sharon Orwell
Sharon is involved in a thriving family farming business and recently purchased a property at Kingston. She is involved in propagating seedlings for the Trees for Life program. She has planted over 3,000 trees on her Millicent property.
Anna Hooper
Anna has diverse interests; she manages a biodynamic vineyard at Mt Benson and Cape Jaffa Winery and a sheep grazing business. She has been recently appointed to the Department of Environment and Heritage South East Consultative Committee.
Anthony Paget
Tony has been heavily involved in windbreaks, wildlife corridors, fencing remnant vegetation, wetland protection and saltbush planting. He has served on the Lacepede/Tatiara Soil Conservation Board and is a member of the South Australian Farmers Federation and the South East Deer Working Group. He currently manages a grazing and farming property in the Hundred of Duffield
Pat Bourne
Pat has a lifelong interest in wildlife and the environment which led to a position as a site interpreter at Bool Lagoon Game Reserve and to work on weed eradication in local parks for almost 20 years. During the past 12 years she has assisted in running a museum specializing in birds. She has been an office holder for the Friends of Naracoorte Caves since the formation in 2003 and has been a member of Naracoorte Lucindale Field Naturalists since 1998. She brings to the group a wealth of knowledge in natural vegetation, weeds and birds in the Central NRM Group area.
Phil Schaefer
Phil has lived at Blackford for 18 years and in the Kingston district for 40 years. He has a good knowledge of agricultural production and the environmental management practices required to be a successful landholder. Phil has previously been involved in NRM committees responsible for distributing grant funding to landholders and has an excellent understanding of the principles involved in engaging with the rural community and their needs in relation to good NRM. Phil brings a practical approach to the Central NRM Group through his broad experience in the rural sector
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