Acting CEO Penny Scott writes in Carole's absence:

We have exciting times ahead with quite a bit of funding coming into our region for the next 18 months from a range of sources. Terrain and partners were successful this year in getting funding for corridors work in cassowary and mahogany glider habitat through the Caring for Our Country Open Grants call.

Many of you will be aware that for some years we have been seeking major funding for works in these areas. Although the budget has been significantly reduced from what we originally submitted, we feel that the networks and foundation that have been prepared over many years in Mission Beach and more recently in Mahogany Glider territory through the Post Yasi work, enables us all to hit the ground running and make the most of this opportunity. Congratulations also to Barron Catchment Care for securing more than $400,000 worth of funding for major restoration work in Mabi habitat on the tablelands. Other community partners were also successful with quite a number of Community Action Grants for our region.

Terrain this year coupled our AGM with a Members' forum where over 60 people attended to contribute to discussion regarding the future of natural resource management (NRM) in the Wet Tropics region and Terrain's associated role.

Six of Terrain's Directors along with CEO, Carole Sweatman and Chair, Mike Berwick mixed with Members and partners to discuss crucial elements of Terrain's business including:

• The NRM Plan review
• Improving community engagement
• The future of funding post Caring for Our Country

Discussions were rolled out in small groups and facilitated by staff and Directors where notes were taken and reported back to the larger contingent upon regrouping. These discussions will be referred to upon rolling out the organisation's Corporate and NRM planning activities.

As many of you are aware, the Terrain Board is currently reflecting on Terrain's role and function in the region, and an important part of that will be getting out and talking to key community groups working on NRM. We look forward to more opportunities to share ideas and challenges over the coming months.

We are currently recruiting for our new position, Manager Land and Water, which has resulted from the merging of the Sustainable Industries and Program Manager positions. Amongst other critical strategic responsibilities, this person will be the driver behind the review of the regional NRM plan over the next 12 months. With on-ground projects a plenty, carbon investment on the horizon and discussions happening around the future of Caring for Our Country, the next months will be very busy indeed.

On behalf of Carole, the Board and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone – staff and partners – for their support and effort over this last year. It hasn't been an easy one for many with cyclones and floods and I know that many people are exhausted and in real need of a decent break. I wish everyone a restful and rejuvenating (and cyclone free!) Christmas and New Year period, and hope we will all return full of energy and enthusiasm for what is promising to be a very exciting and active year here in the Wet Tropics.