Macdoch Foundation

Come and join Mulloon Institute as we work together to revegetate a project near Captains Flat in the NSW Southern Tablelands. The project is on private land and is part of the Molonglo Catchment Rehydration Initiative (MCRI) which spans two properties. This initiative aims to undertake environmental protection works to restore the function of the upper Molonglo River floodplain by implementing targeted interventions, including instream structures, floodplain earthworks, riparian area fencing and revegetation. We are recruiting a limited number of volunteers to assist in planting aquatic vegetation around newly completed in-stream structures. Help us plant vegetation to support vital habitat for the nationally endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog! More information and registration details 🔗 👉 https://buff.ly/3Xb3SS3 Tuesday 11 – Wednesday 12 March 2025. #landscaperehydration #landscaperestoration #biodiversity #regenerativeagriculture #resilience #ruralaustralia #soilhealth #drought #AusAg #droughtresilience #agriculture #naturepositivefarming #naturebasedsolutions This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environment Trust.

On 11 February 2025, the Financial Times reported on the childhood obesity crisis in high-income countries, including Australia, and the debate about the use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic for treatment. The drivers of the obesity crisis are decreased levels of activity and increased access to junk foods or ultra-processed foods (UPF). According to Deakin University, UPF made up at least 42% of our calories in 2022. The University of Queensland’s School of Public Health says that for an average Australian family of four, 61% the food budget goes towards unhealthy food and drinks. The nexus of health and nutrition, climate and nature in the context of the food system was discussed at this year's AgriFutures evokeAG. In the session, "Can Agriculture Save The Climate?" the high environmental and health costs of UPFs were discussed, and in "Sustainability By Injection" weight-loss drugs were proposed as a solution to addressing those costs. UPF are ready-to-eat products made in factories. They are created using industrial techniques, chemically-modified substances from foods, and additives. They contain little, to no, whole foods, nor the nutrients needed for good health. Instead, they contain high levels of sugar, saturated fat and salt and are associated with diet-related diseases, including obesity, Type-2 diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease. Examples of UPF are soft drinks, chips, biscuits, sugary breakfast cereals, nuggets, hot dogs and instant noodles. They are produced cheaply to be highly profitable, marketed heavily to consumers and are designed to be hyper-palatable. Examples of companies that produce UPF are PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Mondelez and Unilever. Read the FT article here: https://lnkd.in/gygCpevC For more about UPF, visit the FAO here: https://lnkd.in/dVKbWk4M Read about Australia’s growing consumption of UPF here: https://lnkd.in/dufndpPh

The topic of natural capital was high on the agenda at AgriFutures evokeAG this week with CEO Michelle Gortan speaking at two events, bringing some big questions to the stage. At the first workshop Michelle explained the concept of nature capital and the importance of it to reveal, measure and quantify nature as it contributes to farm business. Framing nature in this way is a decision-useful way farmers, banks and investors to transact through a common language. At her second event, Michelle joined Hugh Killen, Carly Baker-Burnham and Dr Susan Orgill, together with Tim Hunt, to put this into a broader context linking nature, climate and health. Much of what’s produced on large-scale farms as part of large global supply chains are base ingredients for ultra processed foods (UPF) is carbon-intensive and responsible for 36–45% of total diet-related biodiversity loss. UPF are now a cornerstone of contemporary diets and strongly correlated with diet-related diseases. The question Michelle posed was: why are we allowing nature and climate to be sacrificed to produce food that has no nutritional value and may in fact be making us sick, while smaller-scale farmers are struggling to provide high quality produce to feed and nourish us? She highlighted the importance of appropriate supports for farmers to navigate and manage their land effectively for a changing climate from industry representatives and government. Thanks to AgriFutures evokeAG for setting the stage for important conversations.

🚜 Big Ag is betting on data as the next essential farm input—but what does this mean for the future of food? Who controls this data, and who stands to benefit? Over the past year, the #FuelToFork podcast has delved into the deep connections between fossil fuels and our #FoodSystems. In this bonus episode, we sit down with Jennifer Clapp (University of Waterloo, IPES-Food) to trace 200 years of fossil-fueled farming—from the first tractors to synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and today’s digital transformation. 🎧 Don’t miss this conversation: https://lnkd.in/eWs3EASG. Produced with our partners at IPES-Food and TABLE. #Agroecology #FoodSystems #FossilFreeFood #SustainableFarming

This is a terrific resource for organisations wanting to understand how the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures will apply.

Farmers for Climate Action is hiring 🌳 🧑🌾 🌏 Australian farmers are on the frontlines of both climate change and nature restoration. And right now the opportunity for farmers to use their voices to shape a better future has never been greater. Farmers for Climate Action is launching a new program and recruiting a manager to help design and deliver this work over the next three years. Michelle Gortan Alasdair MacLeod Natalie Collard Sally Garis Imogen Corlette Claire Cornu

Gee I’m proud of our young staff and the work we do. We work tirelessly on reviving our local endemic plant species along Sydney’s coastline because there’s only 3% remaining and from a cultural perspective, our connection to these plants goes back thousands of years. Our work reviving the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Baksia Scrub (ESBS) is unfunded and difficult but we are determined to achieve our goal so our local plants can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of background, gender and age. Plants are connectors and they connect all of us. Here’s a segment from SBS world news on Sunday night, it gives you an insight into the important work IndigiGrow does and the power of young Aboriginal people driving change and the revival of our local threatened ecological plant community. https://lnkd.in/gkvkp4V4

‘Natural capital’ – the stock of the earth’s natural resources – plays an instrumental role in sustaining our society and economy. Businesses operations are deeply interconnected with nature, and this connection is increasingly influencing their performance.   Macdoch Foundation and La Trobe University have developed a science-based interactive Natural Capital Primer to help demystify natural capital and unpack its impacts on our lives, businesses and economies.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gEqsQCiN   #NaturalCapital #Nature #SustainableFinance #Sustainability #Finance

Soils for Life has mapped out the great free and paid regenerative agriculture events taking place through February, ranging from webinars, workshops, field days and festivals. Check them out below:

Applications are now open for “In A Good Place”, offering funding support to community-led initiatives that support wellbeing and mental health in farming communities. Farmers and rural communities are the backbone of Australia’s food system. Their wellbeing is incredibly important both to their own families and to civil society at large. “In A Good Place” recognises the need for tailored, community-led programs that meet the needs of their local people. For many, mental health care is extremely limited and hard to access. There’s a clear need for non-clinical support that’s  appropriate, relevant, and embedded in the community. This is a unique and wonderful initiative run by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. It's supported by the Macdoch Foundation together with Jibb Foundation, Morris Family Foundation, Norman Family Foundation and @Rebecca Gorman & John Sevoir To learn more and to apply, go to https://lnkd.in/gbrw4U7m Alasdair MacLeod Michelle Gortan Sally Garis Claire Cornu Natalie Egleton Jillian Kirwan Lee Jeanice Henderson Sarah Matthee Jo Norman Hayley Morris Rebecca Gorman John Sevior