Overview
The Peer Group Mentoring Program is based on the principle that landowners listen to landowners. Graduates of Master TreeGrower courses with some experience in using trees can choose to become mentors of other landowners. SWAN provides training in effective mentoring. Mentors are paid for their time in supporting landowners who want to use trees and revegetation but aren’t too sure how to start.
The evidence is that mentoring is an effective method for helping landowners on their journey of using trees. ‘Stories’ collected using the social research technique called “Most Significant Change” show clearly the positive impacts of the Program
Current situation
There are currently 12 trained and active mentors. The mentors are located in two cells; one in the Busselton/Margaret River area and the other in the Manjimup/Pemberton area. There have been approximately 10 requests per year from landowners who want to participate in the Program.
Summary of mentoring process
The first step in the process is to set up an initial site visit. The visit usually involves three mentors. The focus of the initial site visit is on listening to what the landowner is interested in doing and discussing ideas on how the landowner might be able to achieve his/her interests.
A report is prepared for the landowner. The report is essentially a summary of the conversation and usually includes suggestions on next steps and useful contacts.
One of the mentors takes on the role of contact person for the mentee. The idea is to provide on-going support; i.e. staying in touch and helping the landowner over any hurdles, such as how to order seedlings, how to do weed control and how to plant a tree.
KOMATSU Live your Dream
SWAN member Clare Kent and her partner Peter Huf were successful in securing a "Live your Dream" grant from Komatsu which will support the development of the PGM over the next 6 months.
The funds will support the existing mentoring team in the South West.
