The Department of Natural Resources and Water is responsible for supporting the Queensland community in natural resource management education through its commitment to a departmental Education Policy which includes:

Building a greater understanding of natural resource management issues and responses both internally and with stakeholders, and building interest, skills and knowledge in the future generation of land managers and decision makers to recognise, acknowledge and implement sustainable natural resource management (NRW NRM Education Policy 2007).

Why become involved in learning about natural resource management?

Education is critical for promoting sustainable development and improving the capacity of the people to address environment and development issues... It is also critical for achieving environmental and ethical awareness, values and attitudes, skills and behaviour consistent with sustainable development, and for effective public participation in decision making (Agenda 21, UN).

Effective natural resource management and sustainable futures are inherently intertwined with education. The more people know about their natural resources, the better equipped they are to participate in decision making and to make informed choices. Using education as a tool for understanding issues related to sustainable natural resource management is critical for Queensland’s future.