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Environmental Policy Revised 11/7/2010
The topic of damage to the environment
has become such a significant issue that many people and organisations
are having difficultly with it in relation to implementing environmental
management strategies. There is concern about where to start and
will the small changes I inplement make a difference.
The industrial revolution has been the
catalyst for the swing away from natural systems over the past 300
years and since then the environment has
been exploited shamelessly. This is known as the Enlightenment Period
among scholars and represented significant intellectual, scientific
and philosophical developments at the expense of the environment.
Only recently has there been an emphasis on restabilising old links
with the environment in order for sustainable development. This
can be achieved by rehabilitating and enhancing the natural systems
around us to improve our environment (earth, air, water, social
and business).
Pridham Viticulture has reviewed all of
our machinery and personnel management processes and know that there
is much work and development to be undertaken. We have decided to
take a step by step approach in our environmental strategic plan.
This will ensure that whatever project we start will be done to
a targeted end result and subsequently has positive benefits to
the environment and the people in our organisation.
Our projects
to date:
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Moving our vineyard management
systems towards Bio-dynamic farming principles. Our aim
is to enhance the soil characteristics therefore improving soil
vitality through Bio-dynamic / Organic land management practices.
From a carbon perspective, improving soil life enables higher
levels of organic carbon to be stored and cycled within the
soil structure. This improvement will significantly help in
the growth of healthy plants without the need for ever increasing
inputs, such as chemicals, that have a detrimental effect on
the environment. The use of Bio-dynamic / Organic methods of
cultivation in soils significantly improves the soil bio-mass
without any detrimental side effects occurring to the surrounding
environment.
The timeframe for the implementation
of these practices is ongoing and have been applied in our own
as well as our client vineyards.
Further Information on Bio-Dynamics can
be found
here.
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All of our new machinery purchases
must meet current carbon emsission standards. The timeframe
for this strategy is ongoing as technology advances and as government
regulations stipulate. This is closely monitored by Simon Maland
our general manager.
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Introduction of live-stock systems
into vineyards to reduce machinery and chemical use. Pridham
Viticulture is currently in its sixth year of this practice
and is experiencing positive benefits on a number of fronts.
We are observing an increasing pasture species mix and increased
bio-mass growth rates due to improved livestock handling and
distribution, and the subsequent waste produced by the livestock
is excellent manure. Plant roots are penetrating deeper into
the soil and improving soil structure. The timeframe for the
use of livestock is ongoing. Future aims are to improve livestock
management, and introducing the system to other clients vineyards
where the positive effects can be observed.
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Vineyard waste Recycling (posts,
wire/steel, plastic). All recyclables are separated and
stored at various locations. Many of materials can be reused
such as posts, and these are being utilised in projects such
as wide scale fencing projects thereby reducing wastage. When
there is enough bulk recyclable waste we involve local recyclers
to remove stockpiled materials. Copper Chrome Arsenic posts
still remain a problem and there is industry based research
to explore ways on how to handle the stock piles.
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Involving and training our staff
to ensure they understand our environmental aims. One of
the most important aspects of implementing environmental management
strategies is the understanding of the processes and outcomes
that are aimed for by the personnel involved. A better understanding
will broaden acknowledgement of the importance of environmental
management strategies and may stimulate more ideas to further
improve the goals aimed for.
Vineyard
practices we currently use and are continually developing:
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Growing full vineyard floor pastures
to improve root mass in soil and bulk organic matter on the
surface.
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Irrigate using sophisticated soil
moisture measurement probes to under stand the relationship
of soil, plant and water and therefore avoiding unnecessary
wastage of valuable water resources.
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Reducing chemical applications by
regular monitoring to improve pest & disease detection and
timing of control (Best Practice Viticulture / Horticulture
Systems).
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Using the least intrusive chemical
formulations available and only using them if needed to protect
against economic loss, such as the treatment of vine / plant
diseases.
-
Monitoring soil health status and
applying only the required elements to improve soil vitality.
Pridham
Viticulture EMS project management system:
The wine industry is currently rolling
out its new Environmental Management System scheme.This scheme will
become the Australian industry standard. There is a local EMS scheme
for the McLaren Vale region which is a higher specification system
that will be recognised by all national EMS schemes.
"McLaren Vale Generational Farming is
a community initiative built from the resources of the McLaren Vale
Grape Wine and Tourism Association, as well as volunteers who have
worked for many years to develop the systems used in this Program.
This advice will allow us to pass the land from one generation to
the next without depleting or harming the natural environment."
All participants will be audited and accredited
to become environmental custodians. These systems will prove that
we don't just talk the talk but we walk the walk.
Further references to EMS system designs
can be found at the following link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/management/ems/index.html
Eco-Mapping
Pridham Viticulture has undertaken training
in the use of the EcoMapping system. For us this system works well
by involving members of staff and clients.
Eco-mapping is a visual and practical
working tool to project plan, manage and record all our major jobs
to ensure that all regulations and environmental standards are met.
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