New CYNRM RALF Katrina Shaw has hit the ground running.
LAKELAND local Katrina Shaw is the new face of Landcare in Cape York, stepping into the regional agriculture and landcare facilitator role with Cape York Natural Resource Management following the retirement of longtime RALF Andy Hartwig last year.
Ms Shaw grew up dividing her time between cattle properties at Lakeland and professional fishing in the Gulf and is no stranger to the region and the challenges faced by the agriculture industry.
“It helps when you’re working with farmers and land managers to have that background, because I can talk to them, I’m not coming at it from a business perspective,” Ms Shaw said.
“I’ve approached them as a fellow landholder on country,” Ms Shaw said.
RALFs are funded under the federal National Landcare Program and work to support farmers, industry and community groups to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
CYNRM sustainable agriculture and water quality manager Michael Goddard said Ms Shaw was a fantastic fit for the role.
“Being a local gives her the opportunity to hit the ground running on projects as she has existing relationships across the Cape and a broad understanding of the issues faced by our producers in their everyday business activities,” he said.
The mother of two started in November last year and said she was enjoying working in an industry she loved.
“It’s great because everyone who gets involved with Cape York NRM is there because they want to participate and have an interest in a more sustainable way of doing things,” Ms Shaw said.
“It’s helping themselves and helping the environment – they both go hand in hand.”
