About the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board Region
The South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management (SAAL NRM) region covers over 50% of the land area of the State, including some of the driest parts of South Australia. A large percentage of the region has intact ecosystems and natural biodiversity. The human population in this semi arid to arid region is small (less than 2% of the State) and geographically dispersed. The region’s environmental processes are determined by irregular rainfall and other episodic weather events that rarely follow predictable annual cycles.
The most widespread land use is pastoralism, however large mining and petroleum companies also operate in the Arid Lands. The region contains some of the State’s most environmentally significant and iconic ecosystems including the Flinders Ranges, the Simpson Desert and the Lake Eyre Salt Lake as well as two great inland water systems: Lake Eyre and the Great Artesian Basin. Tourism is also important as growing numbers of people visit the region to enjoy the outback experience.
Projects Underway in the Arid Lands 2006/2007
The SAAL NRM Board is committed to sustainable natural resources management that achieves positive results for the community and the environment. A range of collaborative projects are underway in the Arid Lands involving local landholders, industry, government agencies, and environmental and community interest groups.
The SAAL NRM Board receives Federal and State Government funding in order to undertake the following projects in the Arid Lands. Funding sources include the Australian Government’s National Water Initiative (NWI) Programme The National Landcare Programme (NLP); and the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Programme. The Board also recognises the significant in kind contribution from land mangers and the community in the Arid Lands.
The Arid Lands projects have been grouped under the following headings:
If you would like to become involved in any of the following projects please contact the Board
Organisations that the SAAL NRM Board works with to collaboratively delivery projects in the region: