This World Environment Day June 5, West Gippsland farmers are answering the call for climate action through a series of workshops, initiatives and on ground actions assisted by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA). 

Between September 2025 and March 2026, West Gippsland CMA delivered the Carbon Farming Outreach Program – a series of training sessions and workshops in partnership with local Landcare groups.   

Each session demystified carbon farming and gave practical examples of how to calculate emissions, match action with each landholder’s own goals and navigate the market to see how each property can earn carbon credits and ultimately, extra income. 

“On World Environment Day, we reflect on the power of local, collective action that will answer the global call to reduce the effects of a changing climate,” said Sam Shannon.  

“Carbon farming is about managing land or agriculture to maximise the amount of carbon stored and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. For landholders, carbon farming can deliver benefits such as increasing productivity, biodiversity, resilience to drought and can also provide additional income sources,” said Sam Shannon.   

The recent Program was all about sowing the seeds for a successful carbon farming future through training days to help farmers manage emissions and store carbon.  A total of 188 West Gippsland farmers attended 11 workshops and events.  

“The events gave those who attended a better understanding of their farm’s emissions, the benefits of carbon farming and how to take advantage of opportunities as we move towards a low-carbon future – it’s climate action in motion.”  

The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies.  

West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

With a focus on rivers and their catchments, the CMA works every day to improve catchment health through a range of programs and projects spanning from working towards self-determination for Traditional Owners, partnering with legends like Landcare, Trust for Nature and Greening Australia and building relationships with the amazing landholders and community who are willing to work for river and catchment health.