An appropriate monitoring and evaluation process should be an integral part of all natural resource management projects and programs, from local to national levels. Monitoring and evaluation is an important component of adaptive management. It provides early recognition, and subsequent justification, to adjust projects and programs so that they meet the objectives set for (among other things) native vegetation management.

The National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 514 was developed as part of the current focus on NRM management at the regional level. Its goal is to assess progress towards improved natural resource condition through the development of accurate, cost-effective and timely information on the health of the nation’s land, water, vegetation and biological resources; as well as the performance of programs, strategies and policies which provide national approaches to the conservation, sustainable use and management of these resources. The Framework provides a set of indicators for assessing change in resource condition and program performance. The roles and responsibilities for meeting National, State/Territory and regional level reporting requirements are also outlined. A User’s Guide 515 has been developed.

Monitoring and evaluating changes in on-ground management, policy and practice is a vital component of the planning and management frameworks and approaches described in this chapter. Improvement in management practices can only be achieved if the success or otherwise of current management actions are understood. A large numbers of indicators and tools have been developed for monitoring the extent and condition of native vegetation and biodiversity, as described in Question 2. The Biodiversity Monitoring in the Rangelands 516 provides an excellent summary of the value of different monitoring approaches at different scales. The Natural Resource Monitoring Guide: A practical guide for detecting changes occurring at the property or catchment level 517 has been developed in Queensland that could be applied elsewhere.

It is critical for regional managers to set aside resources for monitoring and evaluation, even though it might not seem glamorous. There are already many examples of monitoring programs in place. For example, since 1999, the level and types of revegetation activities were monitored across South Australia. Annual publications, such as Re-establishment of Vegetation in South Australia 2003 518 update information available to managers and planners regarding these activities.

The Regional Data Net (RDN) 519 project in Victoria is a useful example of a regionally-based system that provides a mechanism for managing and tracking on-ground projects for field staff and project managers. This aims to improve geographic information system (GIS) use and resources, and increase the coverage and quality of catchment condition data. The Catchment Activity Management Systems (CAMS) 520 is a web-based application that has been developed so the many organisations, who are operating independently, can use a common system to report to funding bodies. CAMS records spatial, non-spatial and financial information on catchment activities and on-ground activities (i.e. tree planting and stream restoration). Data collected and managed by the RDN will be used to assist with reporting on: grant management, catchment health indicators, State of Environment, economic review, Landcare databases, carbon credit tracking, and tracking no-net-loss of vegetation.