A major national conference being held in Albury-Wodonga next month is set to tackle the big questions confronting the management of native vegetation in Australia.

The Veg Futures conference, convened by Greening Australia and Land & Water Australia, will be a solutions-driven, practical 'conference in the field'. More than 400 managers of native vegetation from around Australia are expected to attend the four-day think tank.

Through keynote speakers, including current Australian Conservation Foundation president Professor Ian Lowe, and a line up of field trips and practical workshops, Veg Futures will address the five 'big' questions currently confronting the management of native vegetation in this country:

What is the role and value of native vegetation management in the regional landscape?
Who pays for native vegetation management?
How do we balance conservation and production?
What are we doing about the threats to native vegetation?
How do we know if we are making a difference?

Carl Binning, CEO of Greening Australia, the nation's leading independent advisor on native vegetation management, says Veg Futures will be 'the conference in the field' due to its strong focus on practical outcomes.

The diverse conference format, including field trips and practical workshops, and the range of topics being covered should appeal to all those with an interest in or responsibility for practical native vegetation management," he said.

Andrew Campbell, Executive Director of Land & Water Australia, the nation's Research & Development provider on natural resource management, says it is very timely to have a conference dedicated to practical native vegetation management.

"Veg Futures will allow delegates to share their expertise and knowledge on the role of native vegetation in productive landscapes," said Mr Campbell.

The Aust Gov is a prin spons of veg Futures through the NLP and NHT.

Further information on Veg Futures and registration forms can be obtained from the conference website at www.greeningaustralia.org.au

Media Contact: Fleur Flanery, Greening Australia, 02 6281 8585, 0408 627774, fflanery@greeningaustralia.org.au

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BACKGROUNDER - Veg Futures Conference Conveners, Partners and Sponsors

Greening Australia

Greening Australia is Australia's largest environmental organisation - doing something practical about Australia's environmental problems.

Greening Australia does much more than simply plant trees. It tackles critical issues like salinity, declining water quality, soil degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss through an innovative blend of practical experience, science, community engagement and commitment.

In the last 5 years Greening Australia has worked with over 9000 landholder and 50 000 volunteers to conserve more than 400 000 ha of native vegetation, plant 9 million trees and direct seed 13 500 km of treelines.

Greening Australia works in partnership with landholders, the community, government and business to tackle environmental degradation in a practical, apolitical, scientific way.

With a network of over 350 staff across the continent, Greening Australia lives and works with people from remote, regional and metropolitan communities. As Australia's premier advisers on vegetation management, Greening Australia is passionate about protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of our unique landscapes.

For further information: www.greeningaustralia.org.au; (02) 6281 8585

Land & Water Australia

Land & Water Australiais a statutory research and development corporation within the Australian Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio established under the Primary Industries & Energy Research & Development (PIERD) Act 1989.

Land & Water Australia is specifically responsible for research and development (R&D) aimed at the productive and sustainable management of the land, water and vegetation resources underpinning Australia's primary industries and regional communities.

The end-users of Land & Water Australia research include: on-ground managers of natural resources such as farmers; organisations such as catchment and water authorities and river managers; local and state government agencies; and policy makers at all levels.

For further information: www.lwa.gov.au; (02) 6263 6000.

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

National Landcare Program

Natural Heritage Trust

MAJOR SPONSORS

TransGrid

Alcoa

North East CMA and Murray CMA

OTHER SPONSORS

Joint Venture Agroforestry Program; MurrayRegional Development Board; Parks Victoria; AbiGroup; Bureau of Rural Sciences; National Riparian Lands R&D Program, Albury City Council