Look after your natural assets (3rd edition)

Everybody living out of town wants to see the country stay alive and healthy. Keeping it that way is a big job, particularly as a lot of country changes from broadacre farming to smaller rural residential blocks. Lots of organisations help: Landcare and other voluntary social groups, local councils, State and Commonwealth departments. But in the end it comes down to what each and every one of us does and doesn’t do. Being out of town brings responsibilities as well as the joys of space, quiet, animals, big gardens and trees. People with a history of farming generally know about this stuff and know how to work with their neighbours on common problems. People who are new to the bush often need a hand to work out some of the ins and outs of being part of a rural or semi-rural community. That’s what this booklet is about: some hard information, some hints, some ideas, some questions for you. We hope it helps you make the most of your block and work in harmony with your natural and social environments.