The authority has posted the confidential survey to 2000 rural landholders in north central Victoria with questions covering soil health, weeds and waterway health along with other topics.

It invites landholders to have their say on a range of social, economic and environmental issues that affect land management.

North Central CMA Acting Chief Executive Officer Rohan Hogan said he knew how passionate landholders are about the environment including their rivers, wetlands and native vegetation.

"This research is about deepening our understanding of that passion and identifying where we can most effectively target our efforts to ensure greatest return for the environment," he said.

"We know from experience that successful on-ground outcomes are directly linked to how well we work with and listen to landholders.

"If we are to effectively dovetail our efforts with those of landholders, we need to hear their voice clearly. This survey is a tremendous means by which to do that."

The survey is being conducted by Adjunct Professor Allan Curtis, Doctor Hanabeth Luke and Associate Professor Catherine Allan through the Soils CRC organisation.