Professor Randy Stringer presents the third instalment of the Science Seminar Series at 1.10pm Friday 21 August. The Seminar entitled “Agrarian Landscapes, the Environment and World Heritage: Why our region should apply for World Heritage Status.” World Heritage Sites bring economic, social and cultural benefits to their communities. Along with global prestige comes increased investment, new business opportunities and potential ‘reputation premiums’ for local products. So, too, does an enhanced sense of local pride, place and identity. Only a handful of the 890 listed sites focus on agricultural landscapes; only a of few of those are ‘working agrarian landscapes’. The mosaic of agrarian landscapes, from the Fleurieu Peninsula to the Clare Valley, should apply for World Heritage status as this is an outstanding example of distinctive land use on a rare agro-ecosystem under threat of irreversible change.

1. The Environment Institute
Where ideas grow
Professor Randy Stringer
Agrarian Landscapes, the Environment and World Heritage:
Why our region should apply for World Heritage Status

2. The Environment Institute
UNESCO Treaty
The World Heritage List: 890 properties
the most outstanding examples of the world’s natural
and cultural heritage
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

3. The Environment Institute
Ten criteria, need to meet one
Australian WHS
Kakadu National Park Great Barrier Reef
Willandra Lakes Region Tasmanian Wilderness
Lord Howe Island Gondwana Rainforests
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Shark Bay
Wet Tropics Queensland Macquarie Island
Heard and McDonald Islands Fraser Island
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites Greater Blue Mountains
Purnululu National Park
Royal Exhibition Building
Sydney Opera House
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

4. The Environment Institute
Benefits of WHS
• Protects endangered and unique sites
• A catalyst for new business opportunities
• Attracts investment, grants, funding
• New and appropriate infrastructure
• High quality architecture & landscape design
• Improves coordination for more sustainable transport
policies
• Integrated planning & conservation policies
• Branding opportunities for communities and local products
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

5. The Environment Institute
Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
Rice Terraces of the
Philippine Cordillera
Source: Wiki commons
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

6. The Environment Institute
Alto Douro, Portugal Life Impact The University of Adelaide

7. The Environment Institute
Viñales Valley, Cuba
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

8. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

9. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

10. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

11. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

12. The Environment Institute
Source: web Gallery of Art
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

13. The Environment Institute
Source:web Gallery of Art Life Impact The University of Adelaide

14. The Environment Institute
Can we do it?
Are we a rare agrarian landscape?
Are we endangered?
Heyson Trail, Mawson Trail, Yurebilla Trail, Torrens
Linear Park, Wine trails, etc.
Are we ‘tangibly associated with events or ideas of
outstanding universal significance?’
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

15. The Environment Institute
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), the most influential One of our tangibly associated
English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth ideas of significance
century.
His views are of continuing significance, and are
generally recognized to be among the deepest and
certainly the most effective defenses of
empiricism.
The overall aim of his philosophy is to develop a
positive view of the universe and the place of
humans in it, one which contributes to the progress
of human knowledge, individual freedom and
human well-being.
Stanford university Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

16. The Environment Institute
John Stuart Mill
…the planning of colonies should be conducted,
not with an exclusive view to the private interests
of the first founders, but with a deliberate
regard to the permanent welfare of the
nation afterwards…
…no plan is comparable in advantage to that
advocated by Mr Wakefield….
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

17. The Environment Institute
Direct Indirect
Private Food Production Food, wine and tourism
Income generation Safe food
Grapes and Wine Health, nutrition, prosperity
Wages and businesses Business opportunities
Public
Tax revenue
Soil conservation
Health and nutrition
Watershed services
Exports/foreign exchange Biodiversity benefits
Safe food Carbon sequestration
Products for emerging Wildlife habitat
agro-industries
Cultural and heritage
Food and wine tourism
Rural viability habitatbility
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

18. The Environment Institute
Beyond production…..
the evolving roles of agriculture
Better understand the full range of contributions by agriculture
– direct and indirect links
– public and private benefits
– market and non-market mediated
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

19. The Environment Institute
Why do it?
Economic and heritage benefits
Olympics for some, WHS for us
Timing is so good, NRM Boards, rural councils, DPLG, Community groups
No regrets strategy
The process helps us better connect city and country
Important role for Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

20. The Environment Institute
The Role of the Environment Institute
Resource Economics and Policy Centre CF
Landscape Futures WM
Water Research Centre JB
Energy
Business, finance SW and RZ
Environmental and Cultural Geography GH
FoodPlus Research Centre BG
Waite Institute RL
International Trade Institute AS
Humanities
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

21. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

22. The Environment Institute
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

23. The Environment Institute
Special thanks to
Simon Bryant
Cecil Camilleri
Lauren Drewery
Christopher Findlay
Zannie Flanagan
James Hillier
Stephanine Johnston
Anne Moroney
References:
Nature’s Metropolis, William Cronon
On the Margins of the Good Earth, The South Australian wheat frontier
1869-1884, D. Meinig
Paradise of Dissent: South Australia, Douglas Pike
Killing dragons; the conquest of the Alps. Fergus Fleming.
Principles of Political Economy. John Stuart Mill
Life Impact The University of Adelaide

24. The Environment Institute
Where ideas grow
Next Seminar: 28 August
Professor Graeme Hugo
Is water a limiting factor for population growth in
South Australia?