The first year of the National NRM Mentoring Program has wrapped up, connecting 71 mentoring pairs from 35 of the country’s 54 regional NRM organisations.
More than 130 staff took part in the initiative designed to strengthen leadership and support professional development across all roles, locations and career stages.
Delivered in partnership with NRM Regions Australia and facilitated by Brancher, the program combines regular mentor-mentee catch-ups with online training and interactive workshops, guided by NRM Regions Queensland’s NRM Leadership Capabilities.
The national rollout builds on the Queensland programs delivered in 2024 and 2025.
Connecting NRM staff across the country
Participants have been able to draw on expertise and perspectives beyond their own organisation, with mentors and mentees matched using a science-based algorithm to align their goals and experience.
The average distance between mentoring partners was approximately 1,257 kilometres. The longest-distance pairing connected Healthy Land & Water in Queensland with Northern Agricultural Catchments Council NRM (NACC NRM) in Western Australia, around 3,754 kilometres apart.
The National NRM Mentoring Program connects staff across Australia.
Encouraging first-year results
Evaluation findings point to a positive experience for participants:
- 91% satisfaction with mentoring matches
- 98% satisfaction with mentoring meetings
- 94% likely to recommend the program to their peers.
For Marcela Rosero from South Australia’s Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, the benefits extended beyond the program itself.
“The skills I’ve learnt through this program will be with me during my whole life,” Marcela said.
Looking ahead to 2027
The National NRM Mentoring Program will return in 2027, giving more staff the opportunity to learn from colleagues across Australia.
For the Queensland NRM sector, mentoring is a key initiative of the NRM Leadership Framework. Other state-wide activities under the Framework include a monthly program of Lunch & Lead webinars and well-established Communities of Practice.