It Takes a Village to Care for a Creek
Southeast Asian rice paddies are one of the inspirations behind a stormwater treatment initiative at Glenbrook, designed to protect Knapsack Creek and ultimately, the Hawkesbury Nepean River. These ‘nature-based’ treatment systems are also examples of ‘water banking’ which focuses on storing water in the landscape. This supports biodiversity and creates a cooler environment. It also recharges groundwater, preventing surface flows from running quickly through the system and causing erosion.
Remote Bushcare: Why?
Planetary Health Initiative writer Tracie McMahon talks about her experience as a Bushcare volunteer with Remote Bushcare programs run by Blue Mountains City Council and by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. These programs are protecting habitat for koalas and other species, and ensuring we protect our native biodiversity.
Turning Tonnes of Trash Into Treasure
A beautiful dining table, a piano, a wooden canoe, bicycles and books – not what Planetary Health writer Julie Nance expected to find at her local ‘tip’. She discovered that turning trash into treasure is just one way that our Blue Mountains community is reducing materials going to landfill. In our so-called ‘throw-away society’, we are striving to become recognised for leading the transition towards a zero-waste community. Julie visited the Blaxland Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility to find out about the innovations making a big difference.
Mary Brown’s Reimagined Edible Heritage Garden
Garden volunteer and writer for the Lithgow Sprint, Tracie McMahon, provides a background to the establishment of the thriving heritage garden at Eskbank House Museum. Mary’s Garden is a catalyst for growing community, connection to nature, an understanding of history and food security.
Library - A Showcase for Planetary Health
Madison Roland-Evans takes a sneak peek into the newly refurbished Springwood Library and interviews Vicki Edmunds, Manager of Community, Library & Customer Services, about her passion for supporting community and planetary health.