[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#9dbf9e” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Deeper Reading – Natural Capital” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h1″ title_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Understanding your farm\u2019s natural assets and the values they provide is a great first step towards making well-informed farm management decisions that can improve your productivity, profitability and farm biodiversity. Your farm\u2019s natural assets provide a range of benefits or values and services to your farming business \u2013 shade, shelter, pollination, pest control. This combination of natural assets and the services they provide is called natural capital.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Firstly, what is Natural Capital?” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Natural capital is the world’s stock of natural renewable and non-renewable resources (including soils, air, water, trees, plants, animals, and all living things) that provide a flow of benefits or ecosystem services (such as food production, drinking water supply, fuel, building materials and medicines) to people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The reason we use this \u2018natural capital\u2019 lens is to help you see your natural assets in a similar way to traditional forms of capital, such as financial, built, human and social capital. For example, if you invest in natural capital, you create value; if you degrade natural capital, you reduce value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Understanding your natural capital may also help you translate their value to governments, businesses, and communities who are increasingly willing to reward land managers for protecting, restoring, and improving those natural resources through markets, premium products, and credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Taking a Natural Assets Snapshot” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The first step in understanding your natural capital is to lay out what natural assets you have in your patch. This can be as simple as writing down a list of all the natural assets on your farm and their condition. Examples could include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/revegetation.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Natural-Assets-Picture1.png” title_text=”Natural Assets Picture1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” align=”center” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Number, name and source of fig here<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The more detailed you can get on the type, condition, or size of the natural asset the better. So rather than writing your \u201cunfenced bush down the back paddock\u201d try to capture details both good and bad like \u201cTwo acres of unfenced weedy White Cypress Pine woodland, home to superb parrots\u201d. You could also map your farm\u2019s assets to display this visually. If you need help with this, you could contact your local Landcare group or government agency or look online at mapping to help you develop this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”What value do these services provide?” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The next step is to write next to these natural assets some values or ecosystems services these assets do (or could) provide. Examples could include: pollination, erosion control, improved water quality, shelter and shade for livestock etc (see figure below):<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/revegetation.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Natural-Assets-Picture2.png” title_text=”Natural Assets Picture2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” align=”center” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Number, name and source of fig here<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some natural assets will have many values. Understanding threatened species nearby or on farm can also help you prioritise actions and management.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Bringing it together. What could be protected, restored or enhanced?” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Bringing together your natural assets and their values can help understand how you currently manage these natural assets. It can also help you weigh up the value of these assets to you, your farm and your community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can then create a plan for your future management. What farm management actions could you do to help you improve the condition of your natural assets and what could the co-benefits of this be?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Consider what opportunities there may be to access funding and markets to support this. Also consider the risks if you do nothing. Will the natural assets and their values decline? Will you be able to access future supply chains?<\/span><\/p>\n Having a clear snapshot of your farm\u2019s natural capital now and the plan for the future means you can prioritise improvements and seize market opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are also opportunities to create an in-depth Natural Capital Account or profile. Contact your local Landcare group or Local Land Services for more information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Environmental Markets” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h4″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Assess your farms existing natural capital profile (DR natural <\/span>capital )<\/span> including your current emissions profile. There are <\/span>numerous<\/span> online tools for doing this and they are evolving, so investigate and compare them before deciding on which one to use. Be open to trying one or two and compare the results, ease of use and usefulness of results.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/revegetation.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Graphic-for-pages-Cropped.png” title_text=”Graphic for pages – Cropped” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Understanding your farm\u2019s natural assets and the values they provide is a great first step towards making well-informed farm management decisions that can improve your productivity, profitability and farm biodiversity. Your farm\u2019s natural assets provide a range of benefits or values and services to your farming business \u2013 shade, shelter, pollination, pest control. This combination […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3498","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n