“Understanding soil and associated land degradation has many aspects. At the SKN we have a network of experts with whom we consult. Allan Nicholson is our go to for all things salinity related.”
Brian Jenkins, SKN 2025
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
My interest in salinity was triggered whilst “jackarooing” on a property near Murga, NSW that was severely salt affected. In addition, a SCS dozer team was working in the valley doing erosion control works, and soils lecturers at UNE further sparked an interest. I became “hooked on soils”!
I was lucky to be appointed to the Soil Conservation Service and worked across the northern (Gunnedah & Coonabarabran) and central regions (centred out of Wellington, NSW).
In 1992 was appointed as the first Salinity Investigations Officer in NSW in the SCS and have worked in salinity in the various iterations of departments since that date. Expertise and recognition have been gained by working across national, state-wide and regional projects in the capacity of research, investigation and extension in the salinity field. Key areas of work have included saline agroforestry and plant adaptation, geophysical applications to salinity management, native grasses investigations, salinity mapping and modelling, salinity training and groundwater flow systems (Hydrogeological Landscapes) development. I have been actively involved in key policy instruments (NSW Salinity Strategy),and currently a NSW representative on the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Basin Salinity Management Strategy Advisory Panel, involved in the delivery of NSW commitments to the BSMS 2030 legislative requirements.
Photo: Allan Nicholson (June 1995)
Photo: CraigBender – Vera Hong Productions (2019)
How have you collaborated with NSWSKN?
I participated in the recent highly successful (and award winning!) collaboration between NSWSKN, Little River Landcare and DCCEEW Soils to deliver the Soil PET (People, Education & Training) project, which enabled extension of soil knowledge and skills to landholders for 2 years within the Central West of NSW.
SKN’s skills and knowledge in soils extension, coupled with the on -ground connectivity of Landcare; delivered 1337 soil tests which were collected, analyzed, recorded and interpreted for over 260 landholders in 16 workshops influencing 280,00 0 ha.
SKN are also assisting in transforming Western Land Systems maps to HGL templates for western NSW. In addition, a facility to capture Legacy Salinity information is available on the SKN Website https://www.nswskn.com/salinity-legacy-information/
Are you working on anything currently in soils & salinity?
My current activity relates to implementation of Hydrogeological Landscapes (HGL) program, putting the “right actions to the right place” for land management. This resource attempts to explain the variation in landscapes and salinity processes as well as capturing corporate knowledge regarding salinity that is rapidly being lost. The process of HGL determination relies on the integration of a number of factors: geology, soils, slope, regolith depth, and climate; an understanding of different salinity development processes (“plumbing”); and the impacts (land salinity/salt load/EC) in landscapes. The HGL framework is being extensively used for agency and community training in salinity extension and to guide land management, as well as guiding policy and planning. Understanding of soils and soils management are fundamental to effective salinity management.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I have a long-standing interest in understanding the dynamics of change and social drivers that impact actions to achieve effective land management change. Under the NSW Salinity Strategy, I implemented the NSW TARGET project looking at biophysical, social and economic drivers in salinity management, which was a key resource in guiding natural resource implementation and investment.
I have been actively learning and refining extension techniques since early career days and am still fascinated by how people think and interact in an NRM space. I enjoy working with Landcare Groups (since 1988) and still find myself amazed at their capability and resourcefulness.
