At the 2025 Australasian Pacific Extension Network (APEN) Conference in Brisbane, Landcare Australia presented the Biodiversity in Action (BiA) program as a leading example of how practical extension and strong Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) design are driving measurable, on-ground change across Australian agriculture.
The presentation showcased how Landcare Agriculture works one-on-one with each of the eleven funded BiA project groups to co-design tailored MEL frameworks that measure both biodiversity outcomes and practice change. This collaborative approach builds the capacity of coordinators, strengthens producer confidence, and supports the long-term adoption of biodiversity management practices across diverse agricultural landscapes.
Landcare Agriculture Program Manager, Ang Hammond, highlighted how this co-design approach underpins success:
“The success of the Biodiversity in Action program shows what’s possible when extension, evaluation, and on-ground practice come together. By listening, designing with coordinators, and measuring what truly matters, we’re helping build the skills, confidence, and collaboration needed for long-term change.”
Through practical MEL design, each BiA project captures both social and environmental impacts, creating a shared evidence base demonstrating how biodiversity and productivity outcomes can work together.
The conference also offered valuable opportunities to connect internationally and explore how the Landcare model supports community-led agricultural change across the Asia-Pacific region.