The Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Hub) led by James Cook University is one of eight hubs across Australia. The TNQ Hub is made up of six Nodes located across Northern and Central Queensland. The TNQ Hub is based in Cairns and it has nodes in the Northern Gulf, Southern Gulf, the Burdekin, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday and in Rockhampton. On Tuesday 7th June Cairns Institute Director and Program Lead, Stewart Lockie from the TNQ Hub will co-host the second annual Science to Practice Forum in Cairns, Queensland. 

This year’s forum features interactive online sessions as well the opportunity to attend in-person at the Cairns Institute. You can connect with others and see how the hub activities are helping our regions get ready for drought. Forum speakers include producers, farmers, ag tech entrepreneurs, researchers, natural resource managers, industry groups, and resilience experts. 

Hear from the TNQ Hub’s Indigenous Entrepreneur in Residence, Darryl Lyons as he showcases commercialising farmers’ ideas through the TNQ Hub Hatch program. See how the eight Drought Hubs are harnessing innovation to help farmers and communities build more drought resilient businesses, landscapes, and communities through the Future Drought Fund. 

By attending the forum you’ll get a better understanding of all the hubs’ activities and see how we’re helping farmers and communities adopt innovative tools and practices to better manage their drought risks. 

Future Drought Fund program leaders will also share opportunities for you to build more drought resilient farms, landscapes, and communities. 

The objective of the Federal Government’s Drought Resilience Research and Adoption Program is to invest in collaborative research, development, extension, adoption and commercialisation (RDEA&C) activities. 

Drought has had a significant impact on the wellbeing and livelihood of people and communities. With one of the most variable climates in the world, creating drought resilience is essential for regional growth and prosperity. 

The Science to Practice Forum is a great opportunity for local land managers, Traditional Owners, community members, government agencies, councils, and industry to hear from the best minds in climate, weather and sustainable development on regional drought resilience. By combining regional knowledge with the best available science primary producers and rural and regional communities will gain support and help through this program to become better prepared, and resilient to, future drought. 

When: Tuesday, 7 June 2022 | 9am Meet and Greet networking event followed by 10:00am start (morning tea and lunch provided). 

Where: The Cairns Institute, D3-063, 105 McGregor Road, Smithfield QLD 4878 

For more information: www.tnqdroughthub.com.au 

Who: Stewart Lockie – Program Lead, TNQ Drought Hub 

Brook Orr – Program Lead, TNQ Drought Hub 

Jane Oorschot – Program Lead, TNQ Drought Hub 

Media contact: 

Emily Harrington | Coordinator 

0407 591 305, emily.harrington1@jcu.edu.au