• Communication has to be tailored , too . While some landholders will be best targeted through extension programs , many of these landholders are likely to be more stewardship motivated and have already ( partially ) adopted BMPs . As yet unengaged landholders are likely to have little or no association with these organisations and separate communication strategies are needed that better match their habits , circumstances and aspirations . Recent information events convened in the BBB catchments have been well attended , indicating that communications have been generally effective . It is unknown , however , whether these events have been able to attract any of the as yet unidentified landholders .
Lessons for the MIP
• Focus on the opportunity by landholders in the BBB to make a real difference to water quality .
• The BMIP needs to build on and value add to other investment initiatives .
• MIP needs to be embedded in a participatory approach which recognises and validates local knowledge and experience , and value adds to existing local and institutional networks . Given that there are only about 70 landholders in the BBB catchment , a personalised approach is justified .
• Evidence suggests that achieving rapid water quality improvements through the BMIP requires a multi-tiered and tailored approach . This needs to be underpinned by a more systematic understanding of BBB landholders , including what motivates them , what they perceive to be barriers to adoption , how they manage risk and how they source relevant information .
• To succeed in engaging the full spectrum of landholders , the BMIP strategy needs to entail communication , education / demonstration / extension , different financial incentives , and business / succession planning tools .
• Bring industry organisations on board .
• Get communication right – public perception is critical to longevity .
• Measure and validate . Document success . Replicate trials .
• Some activities will need to be targeted spatially and others catchment-wide – still some uncertainty regarding ‘ hotspot ’ areas . More detailed assessments are needed in early stages .
• Selection of sites for on-ground works will initially be driven by other factors such as logistics , social acceptability , resource availability , landholder support – supported by more strategic assessment as project progresses .
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