National Soil Monitoring Program
Supporting evidence-based soil management decisions across South East Queensland.
Monitoring soil health trends to strengthen agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience in South East Queensland.
Healthy Land & Water is a Regional Delivery Partner for the National Soil Monitoring Program (NSMP), coordinating soil sampling efforts across 22 sites in South East Queensland. The National Soil Monitoring Program is a key component of the Australian Government's Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and National Soil Action Plan. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has engaged CSIRO to design and deliver the National Soil Monitoring Program. Australia’s NRM sector is supporting the soil sampling component of the Program.
The NSMP is a significant national initiative that aims to monitor soil health and trends across Australia, supporting sustainable agriculture and environmental management. As part of the Queensland South NSMP cluster, led by Southern Queensland Landscapes, Healthy Land & Water plays a crucial role in delivering this program regionally, working alongside the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Desert Channels Queensland, and the Fitzroy Basin Association.
Through systematic soil sampling and analysis, the project will collect data on physical, chemical, and biological soil properties to inform best practices in soil management and support evidence-based decision-making by landholders, researchers, and policymakers.
Establishing a foundation for long-term soil health monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices
What we are doing
Coordinating comprehensive soil sampling across South East Queensland.
The project focuses on:
- Collecting soil samples from 22 strategically selected sites across South East Queensland as part of the national network of approximately 3,000 sites.
- Strengthening community networks and fostering engagement between landholders, researchers, and soil conservation practitioners.
- Supporting landholders to make evidence-based decisions to improve soil health through access to consistent, reliable soil data.
- Establishing a comprehensive baseline for monitoring soil health trends over time using Australian and internationally recognised methods and approaches.
- Building community awareness and engagement in soil conservation practices with local landholders.
Measuring success
Building a comprehensive understanding of soil conditions to empower landholders with the data and knowledge necessary to maintain and improve soil health for future generations.
As a result of the program, activities to achieve soil monitoring outcomes are being delivered:
- Systematic soil sampling and analysis across 22 sites using nationally consistent protocols and operating procedures.
- Soil data and information made publicly accessible through the Australian National Soil Information System.
- Training programs for team members to ensure uniform sampling methods across all regions.
- Long-term soil health trend data to support climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices.
Why this project is important
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Australia currently lacks nationally consistent, long-term, measured soil monitoring data to guide land management decisions, support policy, or guide investment relevant to climate-smart, sustainable agriculture. Soil health can change over time, influenced by land management practices, climate, and natural processes, with direct impacts on productivity, sustainability, and ecosystem health. The NSMP addresses this critical gap by providing nationally consistent data to indicate trends in soil health and condition. This information will support land managers to make evidence-based decisions to improve soil condition and enable policy makers to make strategic landscape-scale decisions to support productive agriculture in the longer term. Through initiatives like the Queensland Government’s National Soil Science Graduate Program, delivered in partnership with Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland (NRMRQ), the state's regional NRM organisations are building capacity in regional areas. Our graduate scientist helping with soil sampling is participating in this program, which leverages existing programs to cultivate the next generation of soil scientists. The project is crucial for understanding soil health, which is foundational for productive landscapes and food security, ultimately leading to more resilient agricultural systems and improved environmental outcomes. |
Project snapshot
| Project name: | National Soil Monitoring Program HLW Project (2025) |
| Project manager: | Vanessa Smolders, Healthy Land & Water |
| Project team: | Bruce Lord, Healthy Land & Water |
| Catchment: | South East Queensland |
| Funders/Partnerships: | The National Soil Monitoring Program has been supported by funding through the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) in collaboration with CSIRO. |
Project collaborators
The National Soil Monitoring Program is led by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) as part of the implementation of the Australian Government Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and National Soil Action Plan, delivered in collaboration with CSIRO.
Queensland's regional NRM organisations have formed the Queensland South NSMP Cluster, led by Southern Queensland Landscapes, with Healthy Land & Water serving as a Regional Delivery Partner for South East Queensland alongside Burnett Mary Regional Group, Desert Channels Queensland, and Fitzroy Basin Association.
The graduate scientist helping with soil sampling is participating in the Queensland Government’s National Soil Action Plan Graduate Program. The Program is delivered in partnership with Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland (NRMRQ) to build capacity in regional areas and leverage existing programs.