Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement (or MERI) are essential components of all Wheatbelt NRM programs. As such each Wheatbelt NRM Program has a MERI Plan setting out key evaluation questions, measures, methodologies and timeframes. 

The inclusion of planned monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement activities in our programs has a number of benefits, including:

·         to increase the knowledge and understanding of people participating in the project

·         to allow project managers to judge whether a project is/has been successful and whether any changes should be made during the project or for future projects

·         to provide information about the successes or lessons learned for planning new improved projects, as part of a continuous cycle of improvement

·         to promote the project and it’s outcomes to the community and other key stakeholders

·         to demonstrate the success of a project to funders for accountability

·         to collect information that will contribute to the body of knowledge about managing the natural resource assets of the Avon region

The Australian Government's NRM Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Framework guides MERI at Wheatbelt NRM.

For information about each programs monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement strategies, view the plans:

Core Operating and Community Engagement and Participation
Program MERI Plan

Supporting Farm Practice Change to Manage Wind Erosion in the Avon River Basin
Program MERI Plan

Program Monitoring Plan (a summary of monitoring measures, methods and timeframes)

National Reserve System and Biodiversity Conservation
Program MERI Plan

Program Monitoring Plan (a summary of monitoring measures, methods and timeframes)

Aboriginal Natural Resource Management in the Avon River Basin
Program MERI Plan

Resources

Land Manager Monitoring Guide

The purpose of the guide is to provide land managers and project staff with information and tools to undertake photopoint and condition monitoring through visual or observational assessment.

Monitoring condition of vegetation, erosion, water logging, post-fire change or growth of revegetation, to name a few, can be recorded alone or in conjunction with photopoint monitoring.

Monitoring provides:

• a history of how the property is changing over time
• evidence to show if a management options is having any impact
• information on which to base sound future management decisionis.

Download the guide and templates:

Land Manager Monitoring Guide

Photopoint Monitoring Field Data template

Observational Field Data Monitoring template

Or for a hard copy to be posted to you contact Michelle Kidman, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at Wheatbelt NRM on 9690 2250 or via email at mkidman@wheatbeltnrm.org.au.

Event Evaluation Forms

All Wheatbelt NRM funded events including workshops, training sessions and seminars are to be evaluated.  Benefits of evaluating events includes:

• to design improved events in the future to maximise the learning experience of participants
• to gain an understanding of whether participants knowledge and skills has changed as a result of the event
• to determine the future training needs of participants in the future

Completed forms should be forwarded to your Wheatbelt NRM Program Manager for analysis.

Download the Event Evaluation form here.

Help with  Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement

Wheatbelt NRM provides assistance to NRM project officers and community members who may require help to plan and integrate the monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement requirements into their projects.  If you would like assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Kidman, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator (see contact details below).

Show Me the Change
A National Conference on 'Evaluation of Behaviour Change' for Sustainability

We all know that behviour change is complex.  How do we show what's working and how do we evaluate it?  You are invited to participate in Show Me The Change and explore what matters most to you.  With an increasing awareness of the need to implement community-wide change towards a more sustainable society, there are numerous endeavours working to change people's behaviours.  But how do we know what is working?  Many of us claim that our programs are successful.... but are they really?  Show Me the Change! 

• What should we be focusing on when evaluating change programs?
• What tools are available to help us?

Show Me The Change is not just a stocktake of tools and tactics... it's a space where we can explore worldviews and revisit the goals and values that underpin our work.  For example, discussing the influence of funders and accountability, and how this influences evaluation requirements and approaches.  Are we asking the right questions?

Everything that can be counted, does not necessarily count; everything that counts, cannot necessarily be counted"  Albert Einstein.

To register your interest or for further information, visit http://www.showmethechange.net.au/

More Information

Contact:

Michelle Kidman, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Email:  mkidman@wheatbeltnrm.org.au
Phone:  (08) 9690 2250