CARE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
|
 Hi, I’m Graham Finlayson, and my wife Cathy and I own and manage “Bokhara Hutz” which is our Outback Beds tourism business, and one of the many enterprises we also run on Bokhara Plains. We have a strong emphasis with all of our business towards being part of a healthy landscape, and we actively use livestock and innovative grazing management for environmental regeneration. Winning the NSW Young Farmer of the Year award in 2005 was recognition for our results in diversification and improved land management during difficult drought years, and in 2008 I was fortunate to be awarded a Nuffield Scholarship. The scholarship allowed me to travel the world for four months studying rangeland management techniques from the United States and Mexico through to the dry areas of southern Africa.
Whilst it’s important to focus on profitability in any business, real profitability is in the ability to do that in a way that promotes the ecological, social and community values, as well as the economic goals.
|
|
 Linking complimentary enterprises such as tourism and regenerative agriculture has been integral to the success of our business here at Bokhara and dealing with adversity by working with innovative natural systems instead of fighting against ‘mother nature’ in a tough semi-arid environment is the key to achieving our goals.
Many Outback Beds members have strong environmental values, taking strident steps in their enterprises to minimise impact on the environment, and to promote more energy efficient systems. Whether this is through riverine grazing control, recycling waste, solar and wind power systems or energy efficient building design….. Outback Beds members are inherently aware of the necessity to improvise and prosper in the outback.
|
But for Outback Beds, environmental sustainability goes a lot further than popular energy saving methods – we’re in the bush and we live every day immersed in nature. She controls, shapes, threatens and rewards us – and is the back bone of our businesses – it why we are here!
Cathy and I are just one of the Outback Beds businesses that have strong environmental concerns - visit any of the properties below to find out just what they do! |
|
Status of organic certification - meat, oilseed, wool - Kallara Station
|
|
Understanding our Darling River – and telling our guests about – Old Buckanbe
|
|
Supporting members of the network, caring about each other and growing and learning together – Trilby Station
|
|
Total water management, heavy mulching, drought tolerant plantings, drip feed irrigation & timers – Nardoo
|
|
Alternative wind energy, solar water pumps, making own fuel from recycled cooking oil – no mains power – Bindara on the Darling
|
|
Improving the knowledge about threatened species, we are also volunteer guides at the Dubbo Zoo – Walls Court
|
|
National Parks – conservation park for aboriginal cultural heritage and the big red kangaroo - Mt Wood, SturtNational Park
|
|
Ability to use natural grasses to regenerate and work within the guidelines of the Enterprise Based Conservation Scheme - Caloola
|
|
Bringing artesian water the surface using windmills and collecting enough rainwater to run our buildings – Comeroo Camel Farm
|
|
Impacting the environment positively by creating a Mallee tree reserve to protect the endangered Mallee Fowl – Turlee Station
|
|
Living underground - no heating/ cooling ,constant temperature, no TV, all solar hot water & natural light – PJ’s Underground
|
|
Inching along with the drought but still being there for moral, social and emotional community support – Tilpa Hotel
|
|
Taking time out to educate their visitors of the rare species of birds on their lake - Kilcowera Station
|
|
Young Farmer of the Year 2005 award for Diversity and commitment to the environment – Bokhara Huts
|
|
|
For your Outback accommodation
The Environment 
