Catchment Solutions Project Masterclass training: Detainment BundPS120(DB)

The course will be presented by Associate Professor Ranvir Singh, Research Officer Fernando Avendano, Research Technician Ross Gray (Massey University), and John Paterson and Natalie North (Detainment Bund Consultancy). They will share their knowledge, learnings and tools in catchment water quality science and development of the Detainment BundPS120 as a practical water quality mitigation practice in diverse landscapes.

This masterclass training will be delivered over 4 weeks, including 3 weeks of online tutorials and exercises, and 1 (one) in-person day of presentations, exercises, discussion and field visit to a pilot DB demonstration in Mangaone catchment in the Tararua area.

The initial two courses will be free of charge. The second course is planned to be held in the first half of 2025. The participants will be responsible for their travel and accommodation costs. We have a limited number of spaces available, so get in quick to register your interest.

You will potentially receive a Certificate of Completion for this course (TBC).

Dates and Venue: 18th November to 10th December 2024, including three (3) weeks of online tutorials and exercises (from 18th November to 6th December 2024) and one (1) in-person day of presentations, discussion, and field visit which will be organised for Tuesday 10th December 2024, Massey University, Palmerston North.

Please register your interest with your name, contact details – email and phone number, and a brief (max 100 words) outline of your interest and the expected outcomes from you attending the course. Registration cut-off date is 31st October 2024.

Where numbers exceed capacity, we reserve the right to select applicants based on merit and diversity. Please do not lock in travel plans until we confirm your acceptance.

We welcome participants who are interested in on-farm mitigations to improve catchment water quality. Your professional interests may include developing your own or advising your farm clients for their farm environment plans, coordinating a catchment group, or supporting rural catchment communities in their journey towards productive and sustainable agriculture productions systems.

You will gain a sound understanding of the Detainment BundPS120 (DB), a novel edge-of-field mitigation practice to reduce sediment and nutrient losses.

You will gain insights into the Detainment Bund PS120 concept, its underpinning science, acquire the skills and tools to identify suitable DB sites, carry out design and implementation, and advise on their operation and maintenance in diverse landscapes. You will be trained in using digital contours and GIS tools to map potential sites from farm- to catchment-scale, carry out in-field confirmation of potential DB sites and develop a design and implementation plan including expected cost-benefit analysis.

Find out more about the Catchment Solutions Project here

, Associate Professor in Environmental Hydrology and Soil Science at Farmed Landscapes Research Centre, Massey University in Palmerston North. Ranvir brings over 15 years of experience and expertise in research and research-led teaching in water quality science focused on measurements, mapping and modelling of critical flow pathways, spatially-variable nitrate attenuation (reduction) in shallow groundwaters, and development of novel edge-of-field technologies and practices to reduce losses of nutrients and suspended sediments from agricultural lands to receiving waters. Ranvir has been leading the MPI SFF co-funded, ‘Innovative drainage management technologies’ and MfE and HBRC co-funded, ‘Catchment Solutions’ projects collaborating with catchment groups and farmers on co-learning, exchange, and outreach for targeted and effective water quality mitigation measures in agricultural catchments.

, Project Manager for the Phosphorus Mitigation Project Inc. and Detainment Bund Consultant, is a geologist, with academic interests in geomorphology, and the fluvial processes of erosion, and sedimentology. Out in the mountains or on his deer farm, John the geomorphologist is always observing the effect of natural fluvial processes in action particularly the awesomeness of high intensity rainstorm runoff events. His ponderings ask, are such episodic storms with their loads of sediment, nutrients and pathogens carried off-farm, also an enormous opportunity? Should we dare to intercept and treat the enormity of high intensity rainstorm runoff events? The answers are yes. The Detainment BundPS120 has been John’s baby for over a decade. Refinement of its design for environmental benefit, particularly for NZ rural water quality outcomes, and bringing full scientific attention to bear on it, has been and remains his passionate pursuit.

, Research Officer in Catchment Solutions at Massey University, Palmerston North. Fernando’s main areas of research involve evaluating the effects of agricultural systems on soil and water, particularly focused on the losses of nutrients and sediments, and how to mitigate these effects by using novel edge-of-field practices. To do this, Fernando applies tools such as field-scale and catchment-scale modelling, Geographic Information Systems, and geospatial data collection, manipulation and analysis. Fernando’s interests involve modelling and programming workflows, catchment water quality, soil physical and chemical characterisation and mapping, pedology and geomorphology.

, Senior Research Technician in Catchment Solutions at Massey University, Palmerston North. Ross contributes extensive and diverse technical expertise from 43+ yrs working in Soils, Ag/Hort, Hydrological and Ecological Research; plus, Engineering, Tech Writing, I.T. Communications, and Technical Extension. Collaborating with experts, catchment groups, landowners, farmers and contractors; Ross leads the construction, operation and performance monitoring of pilot demonstrations of novel edge-of-field water quality mitigation technologies. Ross has significant expertise in construction of farm-scale structures of controlled drainage, woodchip bioreactor, constructed wetland, and detainment bunds.

, Detainment Bund Consultant, has a background in soil science, hydrology, geochemistry and nutrient losses from agricultural systems, and has worked in tertiary teaching (six years) as well as both the public (five years) and private (four years) sectors. Having lived and worked on farms and worked alongside the agricultural sector for most of her career, and being an avid outdoor enthusiast, Natalie is passionate about improved water quality outcomes and sees practical, effective, research-based solutions

The Catchment Solutions Project (CSP) aims to enhance rural capability to achieve essential freshwater outcomes and would like to acknowledge the very generous funding from the Ministry for Environment (Essential Freshwater Fund), in collaboration with co-funding from Hawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRC) and in-kind contributions from DairyNZ and Hawkes Bay Regional Council.

CSP is a 3-year collaborative project focused on co-learning, exchange, and outreach for targeted and effective water quality mitigation measures, focused on design and construction of innovative edge-of-field mitigation structures.

CSP is led by Massey University Farmed Landscapes Research Centre (FLRC) and acknowledges its collaboration and support received from the Phosphorus Mitigation Project Inc. (PMP) and Detainment Bund Consultancy in the development and delivery of this masterclass training focused on learning practical skills in mapping, design, risk assessment and implementation of Detainment BundPS120 (DB) to reduce sediment and nutrient losses.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Massey University, Massey University Manawatu Campus, Palmerston North, New Zealand