Physical network
The CMN is a physical network of fragmented remnants focused on a particular ecological vegetation community (threatened or under represented in the reserve system). It operates at a landscape scale and is based on, or aims toward developing, a critical mass of both publicly and privately owned land that is protected in some way (eg, park status, covenants). Importantly, the network often contains a significant parcel or parcels of public land. By increasing the critical mass of land available for biodiversity conservation, the CMN creates important opportunities for the protection of biodiversity and improved land management practices. CMNs develop and assist in the delivery of a range of on-ground works, and participate/carry out trials, research and planning.
Social network
The CMN is also a social network that sits across the biophysical space bringing together dominant groups that have the capacity to affect land management and biodiversity outcomes. These groups include agribusiness, government departments, government agencies, individual landholders, researchers, NRM practitioners and the general community. The linkages between government agencies and researchers are traditionally strong, as are those between agribusiness and private landholders. The link between researchers and the broader community, however, is often weak. The CMN provides an opportunity for all these relationships to be strengthened as ideas, experiences and resources are shared within the network.
Role of CMNs
- Increasing community interest and capacity to protect and manage biodiversity & encouraging landholders to voluntarily contribute remnant parcels to the protected area networks
- Improving the flow of knowledge between researchers, government agencies, private landholders and community
- Strengthening cooperation between private landholders and the community at large through participation in joint projects and on-ground management
- Strengthening the linkages between private and public land managers though planning and land management
- Providing feedback from community to land managers and researchers
