Biodynamic treechange (homesteading)

Fighting Fire With ...... Fire?

Recently you would have seen the terrible catastrophe that wild bushfires have caused across the south eastern parts of Australia, with 200 people killed, thousands homeless, and whole communities shattered and destroyed.

Now the blame game has started so we can identify how we could have let this happen, and then, how we ensure it doesn't happen again. And international readers need to know that major bushfires are a way of life for most Australians, so 'ensuring that it doesn't happen again' is a furphy. Just like earthquakes, tsunamis and tornadoes, bushfires are natural occurrences and despite our best efforts, will continue to occur.

The initial reaction from most uninformed media commentators and the like is to blame greenies, incompetent Governments or public authorities, or all three.

Today I've read two articles that go to the heart of the matter, and arrive at a similar answer from differing points.

We've Got Platypus! Plat-ee-what?

This is so good.

About six months ago down by the creek that forms the northern boundary of our property 'Near River', I thought I saw a Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the shallows. They are very timid creatures, usually more active at night, and given that I didn't get a clear view, I didn't think too much more about it.

That is until yesterday.

Whilst undertaking some natural area restoration work on an adjoining property, I watched two of these wonderful mammals swimming along the banks of our creek.

Need Inspiration to Propagate Australian Plants? Try These.

For many years I have yearned to grow plants from seed, but for one reason or another, haven't been willing to do what it would take to have that happen. I need to let you know though that it doesn't take much.

Now that we are at 'Near River' with space, a ready built shade house, and a few acres of natural bushland at our doorstep, there has been little stopping me.

Having studied Natural Area Restoration before leaving Sydney, and then spending six months with Bolwarra Bushland Services regenerating the Thone River around the Comboyne township, getting our own propagation area going has been relatively easy and enjoyable.

Stewardship and community caring for the land

stewardship - the responsibility for taking good care of resources entrusted to one.

I'm a keen proponent of us collectively taking care of this planet, believing that one of the reasons that we are placed on this Earth is to leave it in better condition than when we arrived. Some of you might say that that's a very tall order, and there are times when an air of despondency and despair can begin to prevail, but that's not what this is about.

Landholders the world over, in particular farmers, have a huge responsibility to society as a whole, and in turn society owes those farmers and landholders a debt of gratitude. By default, we are charged with caring for this land; working with it to produce food for all, and at the same time, improving it so that future generations can do the same, all the while minimising our impact on the surrounding environment so that the native flora and fauna can continue to flourish. Hmmm .... you're right, that is a tall order!

Taking that on singularly is not really going to work that well, and thankfully the spirit of community is most certainly alive and well in rural and regional areas.

Fresh holistic approach to land management design and planning

Hastings Valley, NSW, January 2008

A rural landscape management company with a difference has opened its doors for business.

Lantana Giganticus

The death of the largest Lantana camara we've seen .... ever!