on soil conservation and ecosystem health was `brought home to me` at this field day , after visiting the site where the wallabies sheltering in the rubbervine thickets needed to be moved on before ground cover increases could be achieved . Tremendous work .
’
— Grazing field officer comment from the field visit to Strathalbyn , June 2022 .
Ten graziers attended four or more of the field events between November 2017 and May 2022 . Five of these graziers completed an online survey in June 2022 . Asked how they would rate the effectiveness of the field activities in improving their knowledge of gully management and the use of grazing practices to manage gullies and erosion , two provided a rating of 10 ( significantly improved ), and one each a rating of 9 , 8 and 6 out of 10 .
Invited to comment on field and training activities and major changes observed in grazier attitudes and approaches since Stomping out Sediment commenced in June 2017 , comments included :
‘ Graziers can now see what can be done . The runs are on the board as time goes on and as things change , more graziers will come on board and change their practices .
’ ‘ ( There is ) excitement and willingness to share . A sense of hope . ’
‘ Possibly a higher awareness of how our management drives land condition , either positively or negatively .
’ ‘ A lot of people are implementing these practice changes . ’
‘ The project has given information to graziers that was not there before .
’
‘ Networking is valuable . Seeing is believing . The only way you fail is if you fail to try .
’
‘ I enjoy the days , the interaction and learning opportunities with likeminded people .
’
‘ Created quite a lot of discussion around changed management practices .
’ ‘ Have been very informative and enjoyable . ’
‘ The bringing together of scientists , funders and pastoralists I believe
has been a pivotal aspect of this project . It has allowed conversation about the projects , during the projects , as a united front , rather than segregated parties , and opened up awareness from different angles . It is
43