A trip 480 million years in the making
Last month, local landholders took a step back in time – about 480 million years! The 2025 Monaro Soils and Geology Tour, hosted by South East Local Land Services is in its 5th year. The tour gave Monaro land managers the chance to explore the unique landscapes, soils and geological features of the Upper Murrumbidgee region.
Guest presenters included Dr Leah Moore from the Australian National University, Brian Jenkins from the Soil Knowledge Network and Local Land Services Senior Agricultural Advisor Jo Powells. Together, they helped participants connect the dots between the region’s geology, soil characteristics and the way land can be best managed for agriculture and conservation.
“The group got to see everything from our youngest and most highly productive alluvial soils found around the Numeralla–Murrumbidgee River junction, through to the region’s oldest and most constrained soils around Shannons Flat and Adaminaby, where soil acidity, erosion risk and low fertility really limit land use options,” said Jo Powells.
Much of the region’s geology was formed during the Ordovician period, 458–480 million years ago. Soils derived from this era’s sandstone, mudstone and siltstone can be difficult to manage—they’re typically low in fertility, dispersive, and often quite acidic. These features, along with fault lines running through the region, have influenced not just the soils, but the course of the Murrumbidgee River and the wider landscape.
Participants said the chance to see rock formations and soil profiles in person, supported by expert commentary, made the science more accessible and practical.
By exploring the landscape’s deep-time story, the tour helps support practical, informed land management—and encourages greater appreciation of the connection between geology, soil characteristics and sustainable land use.
“I am always very impressed with the enthusiasm of the participants on these field trips. It is fabulous when locals share their knowledge of the landscape with us, and it is very satisfying contributing to their greater understanding of Monaro and district landscapes.” said guest speaker Dr Leah Moore.
“My hope is that initiatives like this will ensure that science will continue to underpin wise decision making”.
Brian Jenkins from the Soil Knowledge Network valued the interactions not only between the tour participants but also the speakers, “It is wonderful to interact with other disciplines, for me as a soils person doing a double act with Dr. Leah Moore and her geology take on the world is fantastic. We provide different but complementary takes on how the landscape functions which leads to a more complete story”.
Jo Powells said the ongoing interest in the tour reflects a strong commitment by local land managers to understand the landscape they work with.
“This region has some quite complex geology and soils,” she said. “It’s been great to work with over 200 land managers over many years on these tours, so we can all gain a better understanding of how the Monaro landscape has evolved and how we can best manage our soils.”
Media contact
For more information, please contact Chris Finley on chris.finley@lls.nsw.gov.au