Verterra Ecological Engineering

  Exciting News – GLM Reef Credit Method approved!    We are thrilled to announce that our Reef Credit method for sediment reduction through grazing land management, the GLM Method, has just been approved by EcoMarkets Australia!     Developed by Verterra in partnership with GreenCollar and AgriProve, this innovative approach not only enhances grazing productivity but also contributes significantly to the health of the Great Barrier Reef. By implementing sustainable grazing practices, we can quantify reductions in sediment runoff, benefit the Reef by improving water quality, and financially reward landholders for their stewardship of the environment.    A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey! Together, we can make a positive impact and promote sustainable practices in land management.  To find out more visit us at grazingmethod.com.au, or reach out to one of the GLM Method authors if you are interested in participating, [email protected]      #Verterra #DROVER #GreenCollar #AgriProve #EcoMarketsAustralia #ReefCredits #SoilCarbon 

Verterra is a Telstra Best of Business awards Finalist!🏆 Verterra has been selected as a State finalist for the Telstra Best of Business Awards in the category of ‘Embracing Innovation’. The Telstra business awards are an annual awards program celebrating small and medium sized business helping build Australia's economic, social and cultural prosperity. The seven categories of awards include Accelerating Women, Building Communities, Championing Health, Embracing Innovation, Indigenous Excellence, Outstanding Growth and Promoting Sustainability. Verterra is excited to announce we have been selected as one of six State finalists for Queensland, amongst more than 22,000 initial entries. We are honoured to be handpicked alongside five other incredible Queensland businesses that are driving innovation forward in the state. Click here to view the other finalists and to learn more about the Telstra Best of Business Awards: https://lnkd.in/gMCRhgUw

Verterra has sampled for 20% of all registered soil carbon projects in Australia!    The Clean Energy Regulator, the independent statutory authority responsible for administering the ACCU Scheme, has published the total number of carbon projects in the period of 2019-2024.     They have reported 515 unique soil carbon projects registered in this period, divided into method type in the figure below.     Verterra has sampled for 114 unique projects in the last 5 years, making up 22.1% of all soil carbon projects in the country over the last five years!    This achievement is based on the considerable effort and dedication of our Technical Services Team in optimising equipment, procedures and workflow for highly efficient and reliable soil carbon sampling.    A big congratulations to our fantastic project managers and on-ground scientists who make soil carbon work possible!    Figure: Registered projects by method type, Quarterly Carbon Market Report March Quarter 2024, Clean Energy Regulator (2024) 

Queensland Farmer's Federation Workshops Last week Verterra’s Rehabilitation and Land Management Sector Lead, Dave Waterson, presented at the Queensland Farmer’s Federation’s Resilience in Agriculture workshops. The two events, held in Theodore and Biloela, aimed to cover opportunities and challenges of running a primary production enterprise, and provide landholders with information and tools to manage through flood and drought. Dave offered insights into the role digital agriculture, remote monitoring technology, and adoption of ecosystem services, such as carbon and reef credits, can play in mitigating these impacts.    Speak to Verterra today to discuss opportunities to build resilience and sustainability into your agricultural operations, improve pasture/grazing practices on your property, or to find out about reef credits or soil carbon. Verterra is keen to hear from you. Please contact Dave Waterson, Land Remediation Specialist or Andrew Yates, Land Resource and Carbon Specialist on 07 3221 1102.  Contact us at: [email protected] 

Gippsland Water Site Visit 💧🌿 Verterra forestry specialists, Andrew Yates and Kristiina Marquardt recently met with Gippsland Water in Traralgon Victoria to undertake a site assessment for carbon credit eligibility. The 8,000ha site is a mosaic of different land uses, including environmental planting, plantation forestry, cattle grazing and organic recycling, all surrounded by several thousand hectares of protected land for biodiversity. Verterra is working to support Gippsland Water in analysing options to increase their carbon farming portfolio. This will allow Gippsland Water to work towards their emission reduction targets, while strengthening their adoption of regenerative land uses and agricultural practices. This project marks an exciting opportunity for Verterra to employ their expertise in Victoria, and a great moment for Gippsland Water to shine the light on how corporations can drive and benefit from circular, multi-functional landscapes. The project builds on prior work by Gippsland Water, supported by Verterra, to establish a 160 ha environmental carbon planting. #VerterraEcologicalEngineering

Timber Queensland Growth Scholarship Kristiina Marquardt, one of our junior environmental / forest scientists at Verterra, has been awarded the Growth Scholarship DTM Timber Award to assist with training for a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) for multirotor drones.     The scholarship is awarded by Timber Queensland, Queensland’s peak body for the forest and timber industry, who seek to support professionals early in their career to continue developing their expertise.     Verterra uses advanced drone technology for a variety of purposes in the forestry sector. Kristiina is excited to take on this fantastic opportunity to upskill, and we thank Timber Queensland for their generosity in supporting young professionals.  

Hughenden Flood Recovery Project    Verterra is excited to be working on the Hughenden Flood Recovery Project, with final planning underway to restore riparian vegetation along the Flinders River at Hughenden.     The Hughenden Flood Recovery Project administered by Southern Gulf NRM is part of the $32.75 million Riverine Recovery Program funded by the State and Commonwealth governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).    Rehabilitation and revegetation works are planned for later this year and will continue into 2025. We have partnered with Alluvium Consulting to assist in engineering design; engaged local contractors to undertake works and supply materials; and are working closely with local landholders to implement this important initiative.    We are keen to commence this significant work to re-establish the riparian zones along the Flinders River and protect this critical habitat for future generations.    If you would like more information on landscape restoration services offered by Verterra please contact the Rehabilitation and Land Management Sector Lead on 0438 087775.  

FIZTROY WATER QUALITY PROJECT HIGHLIGHT - Calliweera  🐄🌱   As the Fitzroy Water Quality Projects (FWQP) have recently concluded, Verterra would like to highlight each of the five properties that have been our partners for the last four years.     The second property in our FWQP project highlights is Calliweera, run by father-son graziers Mark and Nathan Warnock, who signed up to the FWQP in 2021.     In the three years of management changes, the Warnocks have seen an average biomass increase of 70% across all paddocks, with a major reduction in gully sizes.    Their estimated sediment savings were 2689 tonnes per year, which is now no longer flowing to the reef, but supporting their paddocks and cattle.     The Warnocks are also now involved in a soil carbon project, which is a long-term commitment to maintaining sustainable grazing practices.  This project has already delivered 6152 Australian Carbon Credit Units, returning more than the investment in baseline sampling.    The case study below details the entire project with Calliweera, the grazing management changes they made, the progress of the property, and the Warnock’s commitment to a legacy of sustainable grazing.     If you are interested in GLM practices and improving the land quality and productivity of your property, call Verterra today to discuss how we can help you bring out the best in your land. Call 07 3221 1102 or email us at [email protected] .

FITZROY WATER QUALITY PROJECT HIGHLIGHT 🪸🌿   As the Fitzroy Water Quality Projects (FWQP) have recently concluded, Verterra would like to highlight each of the five properties that have been our partners for the last four years. Every property owner has been a pleasure to work with and are great models of progressive agriculture.      This case study spotlights our grazing land management (GLM) work with Montevideo, a 6,000 ha discontinuous grazing property south-west of Rockhampton.     Through grazing practice change, Montevideo achieved an increase in biomass of up to 300% in some paddocks, with an estimated property-wide fine sediment savings of 5662 tonnes per year.    Based on a measured soil phosphorous concentration of 14.8mg/kg and a fine sediment proportion of 51%, this saving equates to 4.3 tons of phosphorous.  At $780/ton for DAP (46% phosphorous), this equates to $2,768 of phosphorous saved per year, $27,680 for ten years.    The family business, helmed by Peter and Simone Lawrie along with their son Ty has advanced ‘generations’ in their eyes, by following the grazing land management principles implemented in association with guidance from Verterra.     See the case study below to read about our work with Montevideo, the strategies implemented, the landholder’s experience, improvements achieved, and the future of Montevideo in the Lawrie's eyes.     If you are interested in exploring GLM practices to improve your property, call Verterra today to discuss how we can help you bring out the best in your land. Call 07 3221 1102 or email us at [email protected] . 

Glenn Dale joins IEES board 🌱   Verterra’s founder, Glenn Dale has joined the Advisory Board of the International Ecological Engineering Society (IEES), an independent voluntary group of expert professionals, promoting nature-based solutions to global problems.     Founded in 1993, IEES, is a non-profit organization seeking to promote and advance a broad view of Ecological Engineering.  The Advisory Board comprises 17 members from 5 continents and meets regularly to promote connection and exchange of ideas, education and awareness of ecological engineering worldwide.    “As an independent worldwide group of professional engineers and scientists, Ecological Engineers work to create a more resilient, sustainable and equitable global ecosystem for all.”  - IEES Manifesto    Congratulation to Glenn on an exciting new role, to collaborate with leading innovators across the world and share his expertise globally.  Full manifesto here: https://lnkd.in/dzdUppkh