Cathy Waters

Cathy Waters currently leads the Climate Research program within NSW Department of Primary industries, but has had more than 20 years' experience working in the Australian rangelands. She is an active member of the Australian Rangeland Council and holds adjunct positions at the University of New England and Charles Sturt University where she lectures in rangeland science.

In this talk, Waters will describe the role of domestic herbivores, and grazing management in achieving improved ecological and production outcomes, with reference to the semi-arid rangelands of south-eastern Australia. New innovative ranch management, driven by incentive funding programs, has the potential to deliver both landscape and farm-scale increases in ecosystem services. Recent research results examining the impacts and opportunities to enhance biodiversity, ground cover and soil quality will be presented and discussed in the context of achieving land degradation neutrality.

Lunch will be served.