2019-01-14 General Committee Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 2 - Noosa River Partnership Proposal

The Nature Conservancy


5.0.      RESTORATION APPROACH

     The Nature Conservancy follows the international Society for Ecological Restoration’s
     principles and key concepts for ecological restoration4. In brief, this includes:

          1. The use of a reference ecosystem or model ecosystem which is uses to set
             ecological targets for the project, taking environmental change into account
          2. Identifying the target ecosystem’s key attributes prior to developing goals and
             objectives
          3. Focusing on creating the ecological ‘enabling conditions’ that lets nature restore
             itself
          4. Seeking ‘highest and best effort’ progression towards full recovery
          5. Drawing on all available relevant knowledge sources to inform decisions
          6. Early, genuine and active engagement with all stakeholders

In addition to the above principles, The Nature Conservancy also applies current best
practice approaches for shellfish reef restoration as outlined in: A Practitioners Guide to
Shellfish Restoration Design and Monitoring5. Importantly, our process includes principles
of adaptive management, whereby lessons learnt from prior research studies, pilot projects
and other restoration projects in Australia and the US are incorporated into the design and
monitoring of current and future restoration.

     6.1. Project Construction Phases

     The restoration or construction element of the project is split into three phases that
     allow for a review of progress, targets and lessons learnt and incorporation of these
     into subsequent construction periods (i.e. adaptive management principles). These
     phases align with the concepts of a feasibility or pilot phase (Phase I), replicable reef
     unit development (Phase II) and full restoration (Phase III).

          Phase I (2016-2018)

          Phase I of the project was largely undertaken by University of Sunshine Coast with
          support and co-funding from Noosa Council, Noosa Parks Association, The Thomas
          Foundation and Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation. The key objectives and
          lessons learnt from Phase I include:

                •    An understanding of oyster recruitment potential, growth and survival at 16
                     different locations in the lower estuary. This information will be used in Phase
                     II to assist with identification of priority sites and methods for restoration
                •    An understanding of state government permitting and regulatory
                     requirements required to undertake reef restoration
                •    To a lesser degree, an understanding of material use, reef stability and
                     design of reefs
                •    To a lesser degree, an understanding of community assemblages likely to be
                     associated with restored shellfish ecosystems

4
  McDonald T, Gann GD, Jonson J, and Dixon KW (2016) International standards for the practice of ecological
restoration – including principles and key concepts. Society for Ecological Restoration, Washington, D.C.
5
  Brumbaugh, R. D., Beck, M. W., Coen, L. D., Craig, L., & Hicks, P. (2006). A practitioners guide to the design & monitoring of shellfish
restoration projects: an ecosystem services approach. P. Hicks. 2006. A Practitioners' Guide to the Design and Monitoring of Shellfish
Restoration Projects: An Ecosystem Services Approach. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.

    Noosa River Partnership                                                                                                         Page | 13