AWARDS
Solutions to Salinity Management
National Salinity Prize (finalist 2002) awarded by the Institution of Engineers of Australia
The National Salinity Prize is awarded for a new technology or other practical outcome to address the issue of salinity across Australia. The prize recognises individuals and organisations that have already developed and implemented an innovative technology, methodology or working prototype with widespread applications to address the national salinity problem.
Dr Glenn Dale’s nomination for the award was based on the integration of salt-tolerant clonal eucalypts with groundwater pumping to lower watertables. The integrated system involves lowering high salinity water tables through pumping and irrigation of specially established irrigated timber plantation areas. The principle innovation is the development of salt tolerant hybrids with desirable timber qualities that can maintain production under saline irrigation. With some groundwater shandied for use on crops and the balance of undiluted water used to irrigate trees, the system allows nil net off-farm export of salt, benefiting downstream water users and aquatic ecosystems, while sustaining agricultural production.
Science in Industry
Eureka Science Award for Industry (runner up 2004) awarded by the Australian Museum
Awarded to a business, company or corporation which, through innovation or outstanding commitment to research, development or training, has demonstrated a corporate commitment to scientific endeavour consistent with Australia’s national capacity and needs.
Dr Dale was nominated for a comprehensive, long term research program to address dryland salinity using commercially viable tree crops. Dryland salinity is one of the most serious environmental threats facing Australia today. Commercially driven tree crops are recognised as one of the three main pillars of on-ground action required to halt the spread of salinity and the loss of native biodiversity across Australia’s land and river systems. Yet the majority of salinity affected areas are subject to a range of abiotic stresses, presenting significant challenges to commercial forestry. Dr Glenn Dale has successfully bred eucalypt hybrids to combine stress tolerance from non-commercial species with the fast growth, stem form and wood property characteristics of traditional commercial species, to produce hybrids with the potential to provide an economic tool to attack salinity.