Natural sequence farming: How Peter Andrews rejuvenates drought-struck land | Australian Story

Is "natural sequence farming" the secret to restoring our water-starved continent? For more than a decade, two farmers have shown that parched landscapes can be revived. And finally, Canberra's listening.
Australian Story explores the potential solution to Australia’s drought crisis.
Read more here: www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-2...
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[@tolbaszy8067]

"A nation that takes care of its soil, takes care of itself." Enough said!

[@Trenasist]

Great quote!!

[@bigredranga69]

Yet still little to no action from the government..

[@richardzedman1160]

Yep but the big company's that buy out land for quick dollar don't care about the land they wont to wreck everything and just make quick profits until theres nothing left thens it wrecked

[@oldschoolgreentube]

@@bigredranga69 Government can't fix anything. Needs to come from the farmers themselves.

[@thejanitor5078]

country's on fire now :(

[@dherman0001]

I've done this on our 13 acres and the results were immediate. A once seasonal creek now flows/trickles year round. Vegetation and wildlife flourishes along it.

[@threeriversforge1997]

That's exactly what we need more of. Even small obstructions in the flow of the creek can make a huge difference.

[@markb1487]

Mankind can be extremely clever,,put a man on the moon,,,yet can not see that stripping away natural eco-systems is catastrophic.

[@Greg-yu4ij]

Beavers 🦫 slow the water down too, but they shouldn’t be introduced if they aren’t already there since they can sometimes devastate the existing ecosystem with flooding

[@Unknown-eq6fd]

Nice put a go pro there and upload some videos

[@dherman0001]

@@Unknown-eq6fd I've done that on Twitter. I will sometime.

[@loftyradish6972]

I love how Malcolm Turnbill, not a farmer, was like “you see, not all farms are like yours and the land is different everywhere, so it is important that we keep the inflexible laws that apply to the entire country, rather than making the laws more flexible so farmers can do what they do best.”

[@beckysnay1609]

Exactly. And that statement about the government needing data - not visuals - is one of government’s biggest problems. It’s the reason the lie of global warming exists.

[@deanpd3402]

Well, it's now 2022 and governments throughout Australia, and indeed the world, have now made it obvious that it's not the people they care about, so we should not be surprised that they struggle to support living support systems like NSF.

[@blackg0076]

turncoat feels that selling the land makes more profits for him .

[@annann294]

Even worse when you try talk about this and people mention this as facts.

[@aiglemimi]

And the prime minister coming only for photographs..

[@robreading3982]

4:41 I used to live here. Helped Peter build one of these systems in the creek as a kid, didn't realise what he was actually doing to many years later.

[@davidsteer8142]

And yet we are happy to call a sportsman “Australian of the year”. This man is the true jewel of the country.

[@Paul_C]

David Steer, time to stop making stupid people famous. Time and again I wonder, why is it that experience takes a backseat to those who yell the loudest. Maybe start educate people, social sciences are detrimental to progress. They tend to subdivide to the individual level, while a community suffers. Work should be on a community level, not individual.

[@manictiger]

Can't be too surprised. We gave a regressive leftist (Obama) a nobel prize, instead of the guys that smashed particles together to prove the existence of the Higg's Boson.

[@trackdusty]

@ David Steer Yes, sort of like a cult. Full of mysticism. Cultists over and over have shown that's just what they want.

[@danstevens2204]

David Steer ain’t that the truth

[@allaboutstupid2228]

Yer, sports people are not heroes, they do not help society, and are very self centred. Doctors, volunteers, emergency services, scientist etc, they are the real heroes.

[@bigdazza77]

These people shouldn’t be seeking permits, they should be in charge of giving permits

[@sabinekatsavrias4422]

this makes me cry even harder now...after the fires....

[@CAMacKenzie]

Just do it

[@roterakaten636]

Seriously this kind of knowledge needs to sent across the world. And people like this need to be in charge of the government and we as the destroyers need to change and become the restorers

[@watsbrewing]

Permits hinder growth and innovation. We should get rid of permits.

[@AliE1587]

@@watsbrewing its a money making scheme

[@isanayashiro2376]

"Society Grows when old men plant trees they know they will never sit in the shades of." Wisdom from ancient Greece.

[@itcouldbeanyone]

It’s about slowing the water down so it works for everyone - this is such important work that needs to be done. People need to see that we can bring the land back.

[@dmg7111]

Dear ABC News in-depth, Surely it's time for a update to this fascinating story???

[@ashleythompson7879]

What's the update?

[@Rage_Harder_Then_Relax]

@@ashleythompson7879 How does he know? He ASKED for one not given one.

[@ashleythompson7879]

@@Rage_Harder_Then_Relax -_- okay...

[@bradpool127]

Here here, more exposure so more people see the common sense.

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Yes!!

[@MasalaiMeri]

This man has been my hero for decades. Why nobody listened to him 30 years ago is astounding.

[@wobblybobengland]

They're not listening now! Scott Morrison! The unfit custodians of that beautiful country! These two guys, Geoff Lawton, many others need to be heard and you can do it Australia, get water back in your soils, mass produced beef and lamb have to go, there is the possibility for abundance, there is sunshine and hope!

[@Senkino5o]

Did you see the part where he went bankrupt due to mismanagement of the farm and his son bought the land? I liked your fact-free analysis, concise.

[@Veldtian1]

@@Senkino5o Are you disavowing his methods based on his personal financial conditions..? Seriously a dummy or what.

[@Senkino5o]

@@Veldtian1 Absolutely, are you kidding? He tried out his little experiment, went spruiking it to the centers of power and he failed, his experiment failed. His methods and techniques he took to the proving ground of reality and they failed. If he went broke then why should anyone else take up his cause and go broke as well? This whole 'documentary' is bizarre, brushed over that little nugget of info in 30secs, and yet that's the most important thing in the whole show - Don't give me the PC Greenie spin - What are the real world results? - Financial ruin.

[@qjtvaddict]

Now they will die in a fire

[@thekarmafarmer608]

It`s the second time I`ve looked at this, and it`s still inspiring. I plan to acquire a plot of land in a dry country, in a few years. I will attempt to restore it using some of these techniques. I`m so glad there is such knowledge out there on the net, to enable plans like mine to take place, and to give us all hope for the future. Thanks for posting this

[@brandonsmith1192]

Don't give up on your dream Do it 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ivx8345]

Good luck and make it happen!!!!

[@jakobrichards5493]

Do it but remember make sure its along a dry creek bed and or valley area and if it is in North America try introducing bevers after a while they are really good for the enviroment

[@LD-uq3fb]

Everyone in Australia should watch this. It’s what Permaculturists & Bill Mollison have proposed for years. Excellent content

[@4thbrooker]

P.A. Yeomans did this on a much larger scale literally 60-70 years ago right outside Sydney. It's crazy to me that people have forgotten about Yeomans.

[@littlefurrow2437]

@@4thbrooker Thank you! I've known about these methods for decades. It's a damn shame that the only way people listen is in a corporate context.

[@williamevans6522]

​​@@4thbrooker Keyline design❤... distribution of runoff water from drainages to ridges via swales ...I think a slope of 1:500 is desired. Swales are always built from the top first. This limits the watershed's potential for erosion of the retention dam and swale. YMMV

[@raynaldo4644]

Make these guys the Agriculture Ministers, they actually know something

[@jamesbonde4470]

NO! The problem is, the lack of exposure by media and scientists of this brilliant man's work. If "government" had spread the word, or even provided incentives,,,,

[@raynaldo4644]

@@jamesbonde4470 good work 007

[@nyakwarObat]

Raynaldo...agriculture is one thing. The environment ministers in most of the world, not just Australia, I would really like to know what they actually do in their job description, this is the kind of shit that pisses me off cos, me as many might call a mere commoner has been saying this for years, from I was a youth when I even used to look even at deserts all I could see was potential even though I didn't always know all that is required to make it happen. Then I got to know it can be all done but not one of this so called environmental and agricultural ministers in most of this places with this issues was getting involved. Unacceptable shit

[@MrPeachblossom]

what get competent people in power are you crazy what would all the useless politicians and civil servants do

[@raynaldo4644]

@@MrPeachblossom Ummmm, that IS a great question !

[@wotmot223]

We had a gentleman in Texas who used these same methods. He started some twenty five years ago, and had truly amazing results. I wonder if he didn't base what he did on What these people did in Australia. He started in near-desert. no creeks, only scrub. The water came back after he started putting in the kind of grasses that existed pre-European ecoculture. Amazing how often the older methods work best.

[@tjarlzquoll9835]

The older methods of nature?

[@lizzienicks4993]

@@tjarlzquoll9835 he started by removing the non indigenous 300 gallon a week water drinking trees. He then planted long grass whose roots act as a water filter system filling up the water stable, replenishing the land and after 2 years water started to flow from part of the rocks on the property creating a natural lake. The place he created from scrubland is a real paradise and an amazing natural environment open to schools etc. The guy is amazing.

[@noshortcutsolutions1933]

Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve is the guy you are thinking of. Nat Geo has a nice little film on him and the project. Fantastic.

[@bungkarno6041]

Check out half a million km of similar work in China under Dr Liu...now also working in M E and Africa...

[@noshortcutsolutions1933]

@@bungkarno6041 I am volunteering for the Ecosystem Restoration Camps! I know of their and John D Liu's work. Fantastic!!!

[@petertr2000]

Watching this from the north of England, where its wet all the bloody time. Yet I couldn't be more happy to see what you've done here. Well done, and keep fighting!

[@texasblaze1]

I remember seeing this story on Peter Andrews on a Qantas Flight in 2004 - if I remember correctly. I thought surely that this type of farming would have been embraced overwhelmingly and enthusiastically by now. The red tape is abundant everywhere it seems. Hopefully, more people will learn of this and embrace it and adopt these practices. I'd always wanted to take a trip back to Oz and stop by the farm and see this rejuvenation for myself but sadly, that won't be able to happen now. Peter Andrews is an underappreciated international resource and treasure. He truly understands how to make the land live and thrive.

[@luisramos7131]

He’s holding back tears as he’s trying to make his point out to us. That’s how you know he knows what he’s talking about and he wants us to understand it too

[@mikelooby8362]

So true but those who destroyed this before want to destroy it again.

[@JimC]

Yes, because tearing up is an absolute guarantee of truth and fact.

[@RAP023]

No, it just means he is emotional and has very strong feelings about all of it. Crying doesn't signify truth. The first emotion I think of when someone is crying; is frustration.

[@MrKmoconne]

This same phenomenon of water retention and land rejuvenation was observed in the USA when beavers were reintroduced to parts of the country where they had been wiped out by fur trapping 100 years prior. The beavers build dams of wood and mud to create habitat they can live in and as in this documentary, the land could hold water again and desert became oasis. (edit) I was horrified by the other story in this documentary about the Bylong coal mine and KEPCO mining company. Unfortunately, it's a story that repeats itself in every country where big greed outweighs the powerless public.

[@alexriddles492]

@@inharmonywithearth9982 Where I live in Missouri we have beavers I have seen their work along streams many times. I have never seen evidence of them eating pine trees.

[@xys007]

Even beavers can do it better then government. ;p

[@pakde8002]

Willows were also introduced on similar lands in Texas as well as fencing to keep cattle out of the feeder creeks and small rivers. Compaction, overgrazing along the creeks and silting caused by cattle was one of the main reasons for the loss of grassland in Texas. I have a strong suspicion the same is true in Australia, although the documentary failed to mention what practices were responsible for degradation of the creeks and rivers, only mention of government policies. But as in the US, government policies are written for businesses, not for the environment. When the environment could no longer sustain profitability suddenly the government began doing something about it. If ever there was an old saying that was dead on it's "A day late and a dollar short"

[@obiwahndagobah9543]

Well, I saw it happen here in Germany. Apparently some beavers like pine.

[@thatonedog819]

@@inharmonywithearth9982... The gmo pine plantation...

[@tthams73]

The guy everyone is trying to silence, is usually the guy with correct answer!

[@ChannVirk]

Couldn’t control my tears... I live in Victoria n would like to see this oasis someday... salute to Peter and his son!!

[@luaiderar6600]

if all farmers did it, then the murray darling basin would be green

[@erickonigsdorfer544]

I have followed this man's journey since the beginning, and he is still fighting the same fight today. Why is our government not listening, or even trying to give him a fair go?

[@AntonioBaron]

Has he reached more farmers?

[@MegaMr28]

because that's not the plan government wants for australia

[@ottawahker]

Deep State is working in Australia too!!

[@peterpiper831]

Because the greens inspired land policies are actually designed to ruin the land, then blame it on climate change.

[@docsmith8540]

Didn’t you watch the whole story? Turnbull (when PM) was shown this and stated (incorrectly) that the system couldn’t be rolled out because ‘each property is different’ and it didn’t work on some topographies - typical pompous Turnbullshit! He clearly didn’t listen to what the Mulloon Institute people were telling him. Morrison was shown the same thing (along with his Ag minister and the NP Deputy PM) and his response was the exact opposite to Turnbull’s - he called it visionary stuff (which it is!) and has given it his government’s backing. Given this was just before the current bushfire crisis we’ll have to see if ScoMo follows through on this. You’d think the bushfires disaster would give plenty of incentive to do so.

[@allegrosotto2126]

These people are heroes. Fighting governments who support multinational chemical companies is a gigantic task. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their efforts to save this land from the fools.

[@mogantigunababu1059]

Really, they're so great

[@AndreAndFriends]

It takes two weeks to get it done. It takes the government two years to approve the paperwork.

[@AndreAndFriends]

@meaturama take it easy on that Viagra. It's bad for u. Side effects.

[@pianoguy5929]

@PolskaWalczaca: Is this the only song you know? You support ineffective government by erroneously equating bad governance to government in general. Try equating bad governance to bought-by-corporation politicians and you'll be more helpful...

[@Rickuo]

Globalism is not only a threat for free nations and free economy, it is also a threat for nature.

[@susanperry4177]

Visionaries frequently irritate the plebians in society. What a gift that Tony Coote and Peter Andrews were able to work together, meshing their strengths. I hope their gifts continue to inspire farmers everywhere. Thank you.

[@BilalKhan-yg9jc]

RIP Tony! And great to see more and more people especially Australians picking up on rain water harvesting. While I was there I noticed that all the populated areas were near the Coast due to mainly arid areas in the outback. This could change that, as the vegetation and rainfall will start creeping in from the coast.

[@GgGg-te2dn]

This should be breaking news, shown on every channel non stop till we memorize. One of the geniuses of our time that no one knows.

[@constancemiller3753]

No. Telling people that Australian soil can be saved is not in the business interests. Mulloon was sold to Korean mine.

[@joeb134]

People are doing this all over the place, you just never hear about it. A guy did this exact same thing in Texas.

[@quaddrix07]

THIS is Permaculture. It is regenerative agriculture. It is actually MORE than organic farming and complements it. Australia has blessed us by sharing this information all over the world. It is one of the ways we can adapt to climate change because we MUST HAVE: water security, food security and energy security. Bill Mollison is the founder of Permaculture. Geoff Lawton is probably the most famous with online courses. I studied and am certified in the Caribbean. Small Island Developing states close to the equator - the first to feel the effects of climate change who did nothing to cause it.

[@yesand5536]

I don't think it matters now that climate change is ramping up. Permaculture needs to be bigger and affect more land in different landscapes quickly. I dont know if it can. Can you implement a permaculture solution to 300km2 of denuded and eroded land, say, west of Dubbo? Within a year or 3? If you can, I would love to read about it. Until then, we have this...........

[@beesplaining1882]

It doesn't matter what you call this technique or who started it. Whatever it's called, it needs to be rolled out throughout this country (and the world!) and the old farming methods need to be stopped and urgently.

[@ktwomountain]

@@beesplaining1882 Yes. Naming is irrelevant. I studied Permaculture or Natural farming through books and Internet but when I tried to practice it on my small land some years ago, I faced strong rejection from neighbors. I realized that I will have to find a remote place or deserted land where conventional farmers do not exist and local government doesn't give a damn. Water provides life. Trees and weeds are natural reservoirs of water. But conventional agriculture cut down trees, spread herbicides to eliminate weeds multiple times of year, which destroy the local environment, the very system humans depend on, grow food and livestocks.

[@beesplaining1882]

@@ktwomountain your experience is a sad indictment on people accepting beneficial change but don't give up because you are on the right side of nature and ultimately, I hope, history!

[@davedrewett2196]

Eric Vigo Permaculture readily embraces any permanent agriculture process. So it embraces natural sequence farming and holistically planned grazing. NSF and HP grazing dovetail beautify together and are most definitely able to repair the land west of Dubbo of which you speak. The bigger the area the better holistically planned grazing works. This is because you are able to get the high density numbers of livestock into a big herd, and then provide adequate rest and recovery that makes it work so well, to achieve maximum landscape function.

[@anna-lenameijer9942]

It warms my heart to see their dedication to helping Nature. Let's work together, each one on our little corner of the world.

[@hilltopgypsy]

When I bought my property 45 years ago it had the remains of the last "crop" still standing on it that the previous owners hadn't bothered to harvest. Why? Because basically there was nothing there to harvest. They had corned it, quite literally, to death. The corn plants were not over 2.5 feet tall, and had made no ears. Absolutely pitiful. Well, I quit growing corn on this hill ground, where corn should NEVER have been grown in the first place, and started planting it back into trees. It's taken many many years to recuperate, but it finally has for the most part. Now every morning we hear the birds singing in the trees and see the huge deer (which personally I can not stand LOL). But when we moved here there wasn't a single deer of any size to be seen. Now people come from all over the country, willing to pay big money for the privilege of hunting those selfsame deer. And where there was only scrubby weeds that dried up if it didn't rain for a short while, now it's green from Spring until early Winter. The land has been transformed and if one wanted to clear it off again, I'm sure high yield corn could be grown for a few years. But it's hill ground, and will never be suitable for "farming" which here is more like mining. Because what topsoil there is will once again be quickly washed away down the hill. But as it is, in a few years, there will be some awesome trees that could be harvested for timber worth far more than the corn ever would have been worth. So maybe, just maybe, we can leave our kids something worth having. Here's hoping that that they're able to actually appreciate it. I know we love it here on our big hill, looking out over the huge river valley stretching out for miles and miles below us. It's simply a fantastic Vista that the previous owners would never have enjoyed. Why Not? Not enough immediate ROI!

[@oswaldrabbit1409]

Wonderful story! Yeah, work with the ground, not in spite of it. My father has been planting barley in the sour land lately, instead of wheat, corn or soybeans. While it's basically worthless grain, he hopes to grow it instead of one of the other three which just fail anyways, in order to turn the ground productive again. I am really looking forward to see how he continues to try to work with his land! Unfortunately I won't be able to go up there for a long while until next summer.

[@geckogo7328]

I don't know where you live, so I don't know how applicable this suggestion may be: but here goes: I think turning degraded agricultural land (particularly hillsides) into native forests by way of "green" burials is an incredible opportunity for a business person, and a gift to the world.

[@oswaldrabbit1409]

@@geckogo7328 I support various green things, but personally I have no intention to get such a green burial. I have always loved the tradition of tombstones.

[@__Andrew_]

Thank you !

[@rodneycaupp5962]

I have played in the mud all my life. I started trying to understand Geology and Hydrology at about the age of 5..., I remember clearly. I'm 68 now and I have done a couple of "stream works", along the way, stopping erosion and slowing the water down. I bought my present home 3 years ago and before the first spring weather had ended, I installed a couple of artificial aquifers in a dry spot, hoping for a similar result, to that seen in this video. Now I have Cat Tails, and Tree Frogs, and Birds and Butterflys in my postage stamp sized backyard. I did a similar creek in Tennessee and through the worst drought on record, the creek and pond stayed filled for the trees and wildlife in that dry wash holler. I LOVED this video. You Aussies are great. I have to confess, "I to planted a willow tree in the damp soil", and it is reaching over 4 meters in 2.5 years. In the Hydrosphere of this planet, plants are the most important functional part of that process, "the Hydrologic Cycle". No Trees..., we, and many species of plants and animals will be gone. Global warming is a farce. Screwing up the Land , the rivers and forests is what we have done best. Make the repairs, now, and the Hydrologic Cycle will air condition the entire planet, for all time.

[@npg192]

Exactly on point and plastic needs to go as well. I having been saying trees and water storage is the key! We may have a chance if this is done.

[@angelashort1331]

I so agree with you and I hope Australia can use this fire situation to do replanting , not of gums but acacia and the like to bring life back into the soil , ,Look at israels new life , a testimony as to what can be done when folk use the good book for wisdom , Her desserts bloom now ,miraculously , CHEERS to your success you lovely aussies ani angela nz messenger AROHA NUI

[@nifty1940]

Very well explained.

[@gypsysee3283]

Rodney Caupp “ditto”

[@thegreygoose8827]

These men are Heroes. I pray that this spreads to every corner of Australia. This gives hope for our land, people and the entire ecosystem. The value of this extends far beyond just farmers/farming.

[@Yzzo1]

I imagined you saying that in a Aussie accent, lol

[@firewaterbydesign]

I pray that this spreads to EVERY corner of the globe!!! Restore the 🌎 and she WILL sustain the people!!! We cannot keep taking without giving back and expect the 🌎 to just keep giving endlessly. It's just NOT possible!!!

[@littlebear7440]

@Peter Raymond : Can you prove him/her wrong?; I would say work and pray is the best solution, altogether.

[@thegreygoose8827]

@Peter Raymond it's a turn of phase you f**k wit. And a word of advice, if people do believe in God, don't put them Down, let them be. Atheism is such an arrogant point of view - like you are so smart, and know all of what is objectively true. 😂

[@littlebear7440]

@Peter Raymond : well, it is just your opinion, same as like this is our opinion. Anyway I was referring to what Bald wombat said, so How can you prove her/him wrong? - in reference to existence of God, to whom he/she prays to. As I said in my view is better work and pray altogether.

[@strongboy7289]

Man just to see the emotion on Peter's face when talking about the damage to the land speaks volumes. RIP Tony Coote.

[@gregtaylor8327]

The world lost a beaut man there. Wow what an inspiring bloke Tony was and still is.

[@stonehill27]

In my local area in Sweden, two small rivers been straightened by farmers way over 50 years ago. Now rivers don't have much life in them and they carry a lot of nitrogen from farmlands to the sea (Baltic sea). BUT a small part of one of the rivers meanders in a nature reserve. In that place water is clearer and has more life.

[@torbenbrendstrup3149]

In Denmark we have been "un-straightening" streams for a few years now. Not due to drought, but flooding risk and general health of the water.

[@AGooseInSweden]

​@@torbenbrendstrup3149 The interesting thing with this is that meandering rivers downstream (to decrease flood risk) will decrease drought intensity upstream, as you're forcing the water to move less quickly, therefore giving it time to drain into soil and refill natural reservoirs, while also increasing the river's throughput capacity in the event that you *do* end up with large volumes of water coming down. Of course, doing the same sort of thing upstream as well as downstream will always be more effective, but doing these sorts of things in even just a single place in the flow chain can already make a massive difference in the entire chain.

[@gerarddekoe4358]

In the Netherlands they did the same. They called it ‘normalising’ the rivier! Now there are more and more initiatives to let rivers meander again.

[@metalgearsolidsnake6978]

You swedes shall stop nuclear power radiation also... it destroys the oresund water/nature and life. But sweden has alot of forrest, so i think you can easily restore the rivers..

[@biggun6658]

I've been on the Peter Andrews train since the first time I saw Peter on the abc many years ago. I bring his name & storey up when ever I can & some farmers a quite hostile to a towny giving advice about there land. But I'm happy to say I've had one land holder & his wife watch & read everything they could on Peter & are now implementing it on there own property.

[@victorgomes7585]

Big Gun yeah... I also bought his book. I'm sure we can count on Peters son too. There's still hope for our environment it seems.

[@tovaritchboy]

One farmer at a time, the others will SEE the results with OWN eyes and wake up before it is TOO late. No water into the creek up stream side water flowing OUT the down stream side, that alone has to show people something GOOD going on.

[@connorduke4619]

Great - even one win was worth it!

[@Iguazu65]

Wow what a story and legacy. The world needs a lot more people like Andrew’s and Coots. People with a vision and the guts to do that right thing even in the face of objectors and obsolete laws. The Federal and stars Governments should be backing them to the hilt. The farmers unions should be doing the same.

[@susankeller4170]

This is fascinating! Their approach looks very much like a documentary I saw on Beavers...in Deserts like Nevada they have introduced beavers and the areas have become lush and wet, with reeds and vegetation that look just like the properties shown in this video!

[@stenkarasin2091]

This is what can be achieved when you work with nature instead of against it.

[@vestaosto]

When tears were in his eyes, I could feel the deep frustration about the drought and how deeply he loves the earth.

[@Michael98721]

Tony Coote and Peter Andrews are two men the whole of Australia should know about and of who we all can be proud!

[@jimalden9355]

The book "Eager: The surprising life of beavers" is a remarkable read because they do much of the same thing! The book shows examples of where, having reintroduced beavers, their dams and water works have hydrated the land to the point where water flows where it hasn't in years. It all works...just look at how nature has done it for millennium. The beavers help!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Love watching vids on how the beaver dam analogs are being used to rebuild what was lost. Even funnier, though, is how the Brits did exactly the opposite thing, building expensive wood structures that actually increase channelization during storms because they're wide open on the bottom and only start spreading the floodwaters once it's reached a certain height. It's insane to see and just goes to show that the government really can be part of the problem.

[@carolschlismann7558]

I read this book as well, and what these men were proposing reminded me of what beavers instinctually. Are beavers not native to Australia? It may not be wise to bring them in as a non-indigenous species.

[@AndreAndFriends]

21 min. The best part. It takes 2 weeks to get it done. But, it takes the government 2 years to approve the paperwork. Then it's too late .......

[@pianoguy5929]

Don't blame the government. Blame the corporations that buy politicians to control the government. If people pay attention and then vote for the people's interests, the government will serve the people.

[@davidbeaulieu4815]

@@pianoguy5929 yup

[@d4n4nable]

@@pianoguy5929 What an inane perspective. And those regulations preventing transforming your own property aren't passed for the "corporations'" bidding. They're being passed by technocratic control freaks to increase their sphere of influence.

[@araucaria5173]

It's never too late to start this rehabilitation work.

[@stannousflouride8372]

@Biker Boiy When a public resource gets privatised what inevitably happens is that they focus on the things that make a profit and allow the rest to whither. Services are diminished, productivity declines. Opening the door to private companies opens the door to corruption. Legislatures can be corrupted when they're allowed to control their own pay and benefits (as is the case in all Western democracies). Better to hold these up for a general election. The UK parliament has given itself a pay raise for 7 straight years (a total of £11,600 to £77,379 a year) while at the same time freezing pay rates for public sector workers like teachers, nurses, police, doctors, etc. In the US Congress the salaries are computed by a complicated algorithm attached to the public sector pay. They haven't received a pay raise since 2009 but they are not restricted from using information gleaned from their jobs to invest in the stock market. (If you or I or Martha Stewart did it we'd go to jail) The total wealth of all current members was at least $2.43 billion when the 115th Congress began, 20 percent more than the collective riches of the previous Congress, a significant gain during a period when both the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose slightly less than 10 percent. On top of all of this is that any of these people can walk out the door of their legislatures and straight into jobs at companies whose fortunes they voted on a few months earlier.

[@stenkarasin2091]

The govt. needs to listen to this man and give him a platform from which to spread his wisdom.

[@tannenbaum3444]

He's just into it for himself...climate change = power and money (subsidy) grab. Don't believe all the beaver stories...Beavers don't exist in deserts....they need soft bark desiduous trees and streams to build their hotel dams...in some areas they become a nuisance and the dams need to be blown up.

[@dorothyjoycassilles1056]

@@tannenbaum3444 there would be alot better ways to spend his money and time if he was only in it for himself. He could have bought shares, etc. And the beavers in America well im an Australian, but id guess that the small trees, etc that beavers need would have been found across America before the environment was disrupted by the farming of non indigenous animals in large numbers. I am a farmers daughter but even i can see the sense in restoring waterways so that they actually have water in them and not just dust.

[@elizbaker2721]

tannenbaum 6i

[@joe7842]

Im recreating ponds in an old dry water course, it would have been flax plants and swampy before it was turned to farm land in New Zealand. Ponds work alright, wildlife, sustained green and I diddnt see this video til after my 3rd pond. Joe Andrews Full respect Peter. You should do a farm talk in NZ

[@needmoreramsay]

This man is brilliant !!! This should be taught in every public school in the world !!

[@kouranko]

And I've watched this several times they are so inspirational, it is madness that their methods are not immediately implemented all over the continent! They should have all the support they need.

[@kimberleymorris9575]

Thank you Peter. I am an Indigenous Aboriginal woman from the outback of Australia. I'm a big fan of your work and I absolutely love that your pointing out a simple fact and that is on how to save our greatest mother our creation Thank you.

[@CrazyGamer-ix3zo]

I think I watched this the week it was uploaded. Always find myself searching for Peter Andrews. Such an amazing thing to do while battles against the people that are supposed to be educated and taking care of the country.

[@richardjellis9186]

The good thing about that little stream, is that as long as it's flowing, it means that the water table is at the level that it should be.

[@jamesrivis620]

I cannot say more succinctly how huge a contribution these two men and those that support them have given of themselves . The contribution is massive and reminds us that listening to the land, not always barging in in the name of profit, is the only way forward.

[@1charlastar886]

Allan Savory of the Savory Institute is another whose regenerative practices are making a huge difference globally in restoring natural land conditiions. In the US, Greg Judy, a regenerative cattle farmer, uses well managed grass-grazed cattle and sheep to restore damaged farmland. Both are training others in their techniques.

[@stevejette2329]

1char - I just heard about Savory in southern Africa. Somewhat different techniques but effective. Being near central California, this is very exciting and new info for me.

[@LavenderSpell111]

We need more people like this man in the world. Also, those structures in the rivers are just like what beavers make in other parts of the world.

[@erikmilburn51]

Well done Peter,Tony,The tortured but faithful son,and the understanding daughter of Maloon Institute. Australia needs visionaries like Peter,to build a better future,in understanding of our landscape,and the patience to teach others.

[@mworld]

My mother learnt about this decades ago. The same regeneration has been carried out on African farms where you slow down the water across the land and make it soak in.

[@grahamt5924]

Yes alan savory aproach of holistic land management.

[@gnuthad]

The UK is also finding the same thing with their widespread floods through various regions. They are starting to move away from the concept of "get the water drained and out to sea as fast as possible" and looking at "hold the water back for a while and let it soak in" as a more suitable alternative.

[@Polymeowrs]

Gnuthad has

[@neemanaeemi9084]

Australia needs this more than ever.

[@starfishw7138]

The world needs this method. How destroying nature can even be considered best policy is unbelievable. No cure for stupid

[@karotregalado8354]

Kudos to Mr. Peter Andrews for rejuvenating the drought-struck land. Your story is such an inspiration, hope people will inspire to plant trees, fruits and flowers. Keep it up and God bless.❤

[@Nitka022]

I am a city girl but oh boy, what an amazing documentary! And what wonderful people working the land how it should be worked! At times I could scream with frustration at the governments meddling and blocking people who know what should be done! Just leave the experts be! Amazing restoration of our precious lands. Thank you for making this documentary and please follow it up. Let us see how this creek and lands around it are recovering!

[@AIM54A]

So the lesson here is don't let water run off your land without letting it soak into your aquifer .

[@friendlyone2706]

Sad such an obvious observation needs to be a lesson. Like saying a bag full of money shouldn't have a hole in the bottom.

[@allycollyer3961]

Mini DK#9 - The true lesson is to learn and work WITH nature at all times.

[@fivizzano]

Sad to hear he passed away in August.... great man.

[@nelsongeada4930]

R.IP

[@OfficiallySanctionedKATG]

Really? Thats such a shame. Blokes like him are the ones who could save the world. Hes left a legacy that hopefully will be followed up on.

[@crappo8459]

The world has lost a great man [need a lot of people like him!!! ]

[@Research0digo]

Peter, or Coates? :(

[@gerbenvanderbliek7448]

I know its a 2 year old tread, tony coot passed away as the video shows, after checking peter andrews website im pretty sure hes still alive, he still publishes articles and there is no mention of his passing.

[@KasumiKingfisher]

This is amazing. I would love to see an update on how those places are doing now few years later.

[@vuyanling1305]

I just love the man, his thinking and his heart for the land....

[@alantough9554]

Since seeing this documentary early 2019, I decided to complete the Tarwyn Park Training course with Stuart and Peter. It was four days of OMG, a life changing experience that has completely changed my understanding of land management. Thoroughly enjoyed it and love being outside implementing the knowledge.

[@dominiquepayne-ohara9844]

This is unbelievable, this could make a lot of difference to many countries. He was so in tune with nature.

[@nataljanastakreiter9787]

I am cryiing

[@sophialuypaert-vediclife4ever]

Nov 17, 2023 - What a beautiful story of taking care of nature! I hope that Peter is still thrieving WELL DONE!!

[@cheymcloughlin6366]

Also, water held back is absorbed into the plant life and in turn released into the atmosphere to fall back to earth as rain. Trees and all vegetation is far more effective in releasing water vapour to form rainclouds than evaporation from a body of water. Rainforests make their own rain. The clearing of trees that have a huge surface area to release moisture and Diminishing overall vegetation plays a major role in causing droughts. If these methods were rolled out on a large scale, it could refuel the whole natural ecosystem.

[@perigrine46]

God bless Peter Andrews and Tony Coote for the amazing work they have done. The more I learn about politicians, the more I respect Peter Andrews.

[@pclalramenga304]

I don't why this documentary made me cry. Real unsung heroes.

[@mclammers9998]

In 40 years I was afraid to know how Australia was doing farming and preserving water, soil, biodiversity and landwise. As in Europe the land and nature seemd to get dryer and more barren. Thank you for your efforts, great ideas, lovely land and succes

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

There are parallels in North America, where ranchers had been killing beavers and destroying their dams for decades. Fortunately, some are now realizing that the beaver dams slow down water flow, raising water levels upstream and watering the meadows, thus providing more fodder for cattle.

[@VincentGonzalezVeg]

for the bison that call the American soils their home

[@2eleven48]

@@ax4178 ....είσαι ηλίθιος! American women don't have big hairy moustaches as so many Greek women do.

[@imonthewinningside8281]

@@ax4178 I'm an American wife who isn't ugly and we don't shoot everything and we have lots of wildlife. But your reply made me lol!!

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

Hm

[@theherrdark4834]

@@ax4178 Hunters, real hunters, are conservationist and they want to preserve the lands and wild game, so many future generations will enjoy them as well. In Pennsylvania, you hunt with a black powder rifle, regular rifle, and or bow and arrow we have thousands of acres of game lands for the general public to enjoy. The buffalo was almost wiped out because of the need for pully belts in factories.

[@danielwatson1699]

These people are the true Australian heros of this country top work to all involved on this amazing project

[@greeningthedeserts1691]

When we have documentation like this, we should absolutely pay attention!!

[@rickhao9665]

from: Anchorage, AK. USA 4-2-24 ... True visionaries - Tony Coote & Peter Andrews .....may others help to achieve their focus for the betterment of ALL.🙏🙏

[@RiggingDoctor]

I bet with better moisture retention in the soil, we might be able to harness better farming and feed more people. Why don’t more countries care about preserving their land? Oh yeah, they just want to win the next election and not actually do anything that will have a true long term result...

[@zxn-hn4tv]

the only way to retention water is grass and grazing animal

[@adiscourse9489]

Rigging Doctor - In desert Nevada, USA, they reintroduced beavers to the highlands where they had been hunted out. This small step changed the whole ecosystem and improved water flow to ranches and even widened the river and improved flow. The willow are native shrubs here in N America - the beavers did all the work for free. ;) I loved learning about that project and how the whole ecosystem thrived afterwards.

[@TheNeeenha]

Most people don't think long term...too much shortsightedness, especially politicians

[@Kujowolf1]

most land is privately owned probably more so by the chains linked to Cattle farming for McDonalds and other food chains? The other factor is there are private sector billionaires who want to reduce the population, not feed it all.

[@joereyes8835]

How could they show water flowing and the plans around the river dried the Hall video look fake to me sorry but I don't buy it.

[@ozwhistles]

Not one mention of Bill Mollison who was a major pioneer this stuff. Water management is only a part of permaculture. How short our memories are? But glad to see it resurface after all this time. No one took any notice last time, and I don't imagine they will this time either.

[@frankboff1260]

ozwhistles yes I noticed that too!

[@tovaritchboy]

Have taken the course offered here in Calgary and think MORE land owners world wide should. No matter the size of property it ALL makes a dif. Bill saw, adapted, implemented and saw PROOF that just slowing the water down and letting it soak in makes a MASSIVE change. Help nature to help us! Worked on a large Property in Queensland when I was 25 and they did a few of Bills ideas and even then you could SEE the difference in those areas vers those that old traditional practices were being used.

[@sarahcollins190]

Was going to say ...this is permaculture...and people are doing it all around Australia. Hopefully now it will get the attention it deserves.

[@ozwhistles]

@@sarahcollins190 This is my hope also. However, I spend time now and then to google-earth the agricultural areas of Australia - looking for proper keyline swales and the evidence of permaculture being practiced - it is sadly rare and not growing as a method. The culture of market fundamentalism supports only brute-force monoculture and international bulk commodity thinking. Permaculture supports diversity and local food production. Examples of market fundamentalism as represented by this ABC article clearly underscores the media's complicity in the terminal market monoculture .. The ABC was not always so. I find it sad.

[@tovaritchboy]

No matter what people want to call it the movement is growing! Keep up the hard work is DEF paying off.

[@versatile5899]

Every now and then nature brings back someone like him

[@VincentCaballo]

This has got to be my favorite ABC documentary.

[@KylieJonkman]

This could not be more relevant than now!

[@andreapea642]

Kylie Jonkman Big companies & some of our treasonous pollies own water rights...and are making money off it! And yet our farmers CANNOT touch it! Coca Cola and bottled water companies have more rights than our farmers! Under our true Constitution s100, our govts CANNOT keep water for reasonable use, away from anybody needs it! That’s the TRUE laws! Govts are committing treason!

[@atinychihuahuallc413]

Video is inspiring during covid... I hardly ever get inspired like this...

[@williamlee0]

Whether Australian agriculture survives or perishes depends on whether we follow the Andrews system or continue down the present path.

[@andreapea642]

williamlee0 way more going on! Big companies & some of our treasonous pollies own water rights...and are making money off it! And yet our farmers CANNOT touch it! Coca Cola and bottled water companies have more rights than our farmers! Under our true Constitution s100, our govts CANNOT keep water for reasonable use, away from anybody needs it! That’s the TRUE laws! Govts are committing treason!

[@gilberrr283]

I hope that the knowledge gained from renewing Australian farmland has also helped other farmers all over the world. If not then I hope that it will.

[@lydiarowe491]

To be reminded of this remarkable man gives hope to the Australian landscape of extreme conditions..never giving up..his tenacity is his legacy to us and the land that he is in service to.

[@yasodreddy1]

In India we call it check dams they works well in terms of slowing down water flow,helps ground water table up,all bio-diversity thrives around these little water bodies it’s a wonderful idea to implement it costs minimal too.

[@StCreed]

They used to go for straight waterways in The Netherlands but now they are re-introducing beavers, who build these dams in suitable locations all by themselves, and dig out the riverbanks to create meandering waterways. All to keep the water in when rain is heavy and slow down the movement to the sea so the land will remain green in summer. Even here the changing climate needs to be planned for.

[@TheOriginalSycHolic]

whats sad is this whole video seems nothing more the a political statement instead of something actually informative and providing the public with a unbiased scientific laymen explaination as to how this works or why it is a good thing.

[@jamescrane6908]

I"ve heard that northern India has an acute problem of salty soil that has accumulated over many years and has ruined a tremendous area of farmland desperately needed as farmland...the answer for reclamation is simple, profitable, and easy: plant sugar beets for about 5 years...the sugar beet converts salt to sugar....end of problem. Hydroponic raising of sugar beets returns the water to non-saline. As with all natural sugar if it's not overheated (above 103 degrees F) its healthy for consumers. Overheating kills the sugar...dead sugar over time causes dead consumers that experience slow, painful, diseased death's. Overheating sugar causes consumer bodily inflammation which causes consumer death's.

[@moondawg3693]

@@TheOriginalSycHolic What the hell is sad about that. The reason this has not been implemented is Political and nothing was taken away from the bottom line which is saving our countries and their lands. I saw and heard exactly what they were doing to repair these lands and what is stopping them. You're an idiot !

[@TheOriginalSycHolic]

@@moondawg3693 idiot? Guess ya missed the point the video tells the people watching the video still has no clue wtf they talking about doing.... sit down pleb. Im not knocking the man Im knocking the video's lack of even a remotely informational script into convincing me as to why I should think highly of this person. and Im the idiot? you call yourself a doctor? lulz you just as bad as stolen valor.

[@KylieJonkman]

I hope this place is still alive after these horrendous fires!

[@yueyuen815]

Absolutely! 👍

[@alamabm]

What an amazing story! These are the real men who should be followed to save this earth and keep it liveable.

[@docsmith8540]

It certainly is. Check out the Royce property at Majors Creek outside Braidwood. They’ve used the Andrews system and it’s been so successful the RFS actually used water from the paddock weirs to put out the fires on the hills behind it. Remarkably in the middle of the worst drought in over a 100 years the water is still there - you can’t even tell that thousands of litres have been taken out to fight the fires! This system should be introduced NATIONWIDE to restore and protect the land.

[@KylieJonkman]

Doc Smith oh wow that is so amazing! Your message actually filled my eyes with tears! Shame those couldn’t be used to extinguish those bloody fires out! You’re right government need to listen and spread it nationwide, I really hope this is a wake up call to everyone and particularly those who don’t believe in climate change or just that our planet is heating up. The world is changing and so should we, so I really hope this genius idea is picked up and utilised. Xxxx thank you for letting me know , that really makes me happy to hear.

[@stevemurphy9205]

I doubt the fires would have much effect on that land which is kept naturally irrigated. Its the land that is overly managed by imbeciles to try and make it look natural which has suffered.

[@jimwilleford6140]

This could be done in so many places. An example of how resilient out astonishing earth is. And a much needed example of the wondrous possibilities of we humans. Thanks to all involved with this video.

[@ritcheymt]

The story at 12:31 about the coal mine taking over the farmers' property that they'd spent decades restoring is exactly why I hesitate to buy a tract of land in the U.S. and practice permaculture on it. Buying the mineral rights to a tract of land to protect against this kind of thing seems complicated and sometimes impossible, so a mining company can wreck your land any time they want if they own the mineral rights beneath it.

[@eveningstar1]

One woman dairy farmer in that district (hunter valley, Australia) fought the coal mines for decades and recently won!

[@friendlyone2706]

"By their fruit you shall know them." I hope people all over the world see this.

[@cfields813]

The USA could learn so much from this. The land is not for instant gratification.

[@duanenash9474]

Beavers do this. Bring back beavers.

[@zippyspeedmonkey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kISznJamfNKZoqc

[@andreapea642]

My country and yours feeds the world....get it?

[@MM-qb9is]

Extraordinary. I don't know if abc understand the significance of what has been shared. Please put this out further abc. It will inspire sooo many! ❤️

[@loturzelrestaurant]

You say that but have you seen Some More News cover Dorughts??

[@pajuagustinus8073]

I'm amazed when he drinks water directly from the flow... it shows how nature is on man's side when we keep it healthy

[@jackspatch14]

Australia needs this man more than ever! Government ignored this man and now it’s so dry it’s burning! I pray for the nature there! Devastating

[@dissendiums]

Jacks Patch ...agreed, I pray for rain too

[@dissendiums]

Jacks Patch ...and an inexplicable change of heart for ‘those in charge’ - “ let us pray for kings and those in authority, that they may be peaceably inclined toward us, and that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our savior, who wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth. “. 1 Timothy 2:2

[@diedertspijkerboer]

This project follows some very simple hydrological principles which can be applied anywhere. Basically, the whole project is about retaining water in the land for longer by slowing down the flow of water in creeks. The level of water in the creeks remains higher, which means that the water in the soil does not flow down into the creek, because the water level in the creek is not lower than that in the soil. Instead, the creek can even feed water to the land when drought causes the water level in the soil to go down. The willow trees enhance the ability of the soil to retain the water, slowing down loss of water from the soil even more. As I said, these principles are very basic. If the project gets a good hydrologist on board, that person can easily substantiate the science behind the project. In fact, I'm surprised that agriculture departments at Australian universities are not backing the project more.

[@maikehannah9179]

Finally Canberra is listening .... so very well done. His hard work and determination needs to be commended. He never gave up and kept talking to people. He must have felt very frustrated so many times but he never gave up. This man has my utmost respect. Common sense is not a sense most people have anymore. So very well done.

[@markroberts868]

Finally, someone who sees the damage of older generations and gets to manage things the way it was.

[@firewaterbydesign]

This is a beautiful story of the restoration of land. It's so VERY sad that there is such a struggle with laws and regulations within the government, for something that is so beneficial to the agriculture down under. Turning dry desolate land into a green thriving ecosystem is no easy task, but it is without doubt the correct path to be taking. I hope that more people understand this before it is too late to restore the land and the quality of life that it can bring. ANYTIME you restore the natural balance of land and the delicate ecosystem, it is the correct decision. Those that cannot or will not see the importance of this are only fooling themselves. We cannot go through life destroying the land and then wonder why it is not sustaining the people. We rip and tear at the land, with our high-rises, parking lots and such, until the land is battered bruised and broken. Then we stand back in disbelief and wonder how we got to the point of unsustainability. This is a no-brainer. We know what we must do and yet there is legislation that stops the restoration. Sadly, this is NOT just an Oz issue. This is happening EVERYWHERE!!! When will people see what we have done to the land? When will people decide that enough is enough?

[@wiretamer5710]

Its called conservatism. The idea is to make government inflexible so things remain stable. Works great if you live on top of the hill. Not so great if you have serious problems that are not very sexy.

[@calysagora3615]

@@wiretamer5710 it's called statetheism. The insane religion of centralized monopolies on theft and coercion to keep us "civilized"... Abolish government, and these problems would go away.

[@gvukster]

6000 acres!!!!! Amazing work. Blessings from Canada

[@needmoreramsay]

Absolutely tragic that humanity loses one of the greatest ecological geniuses at such a young age. He had the power to change environments for the better and was a natural leader. RIP Tony! 🙏❤

[@armageddovig]

Governments have long wanted to commoditize water in this cities as drought ravages the country side. What Peter has done, is brought informed and natural patterns of catchment to property owners where degradation can be reversed through sense and patience. God bless this man.

[@averagecommenter1601]

This should applied to australia on the large scale

[@hobbitone2939]

What a HERO good on you Mr Andrews, I now live in the U.K. but Australia 🇦🇺 will always be home and in my heart. I used to take my kids camping at the Keiwa river. A beautiful area I remember one year I turned up on the river bank to camp and was devistated by the government had made the farmers take and bulldoze all the gorgeous old willows...😵😢😩😱 it was the worst thing I had seen...all the soil in huge clumps, ripped apart tree roots... Australia 🇦🇺 is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The government want to keep their noses out they know F**kall sitting in their offices. I hope 🤞🏻 that this is a big wake up call to them

[@tinahamilton4085]

I'm sorry to everyone for the loss of such a great man! But what a great legacy/ footprint to leave behind! I wish everyone walked this earth with such a heart for protecting and restoring the damage that has been done to her! ❤️

[@margaretclarke3643]

So good to hear that finally, a wise and caring man is being listened to. The whole idea was/is so simple, that people failed to see the reality of it.