The National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Blue Mountains built a rain garden with the help of NPWS Bushcare volunteers. The garden filters water from the roof of the new shelter in Blackheath and slows runoff, limiting erosion. It reduces nutrient levels, disadvantaging introduced weeds.
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To counter the increasingly disturbing news from around the world we`re having another fun and inspiring Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March! (link in profile) We`re also holding a Morning Tea at 10am this Saturday 8 February for anyone interested in joining our growing Planetary Health Volunteer Community. Whether you`re looking for a new career path and need to gain some work experience, whether you have skills you`re keen to share, or whether you`d just like to join a great group of like-minded people keen to make a difference, we have opportunities to be involved in Planetary Health Gardening and Site Works, Media and Storytelling, Skillshare, Events and Fundraising, and Guiding (eg. we currently have a frog exhibition and we`ve built a Water Demonstration Site). We also have a Bushcare Group! Reserve your place via the link in our profile, or if you can`t make it tomorrow email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/how-to-join-the-planetary-health-volunteer-community-tickets-1236696415269
#volunteer #planetaryhealth #dontquit #dontgiveup #dontdespair #community #action #togetherwecan
If you spent your summer break sorting out your wardrobe and found old favourites that need a new zip or are falling apart in some way, or if you went op-shopping and found something you loved that needs an adjustment or a remodel, bring it along to our free Fashion Upcycling workshop this Saturday 1 February from 9am to 3pm at the Planetary Health Centre. Places are limited so book here (link in profile) or ring 0407 437 553: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-fashion-upcycling-program-on-skillshare-saturdays-tickets-1110992892649?aff=oddtdtcreator
Margaret Mead once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it`s the only thing that ever has.”
As the world roils with change and the survival of many species is being threatened, the Planetary Health Bushcare group started the year by working together on Saturday 4 January to restore habitat at the Planetary Health site. It was an afternoon of great conversations, amazing cloud formations, and impressive progress as we tackled the invasive weed choking the beautiful native plants on site. If you’re keen to help us restore the Planetary Health site; if looking for a way to shut out the news, contribute, connect to others and the natural world, learn and possibly even explore a different career pathway, you can join us this Saturday from 1.30 to 4.30. There’s always great food, great conversation and great satisfaction to be had! NB. There may even be plum and apple chutney and chocolate zucchini cake this Saturday!
If you`d like to join our Bushcare Group contact Karen Hising at khising@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or call the Bushcare Office on 4780 5623
For more information about the Planetary Health Centre contact the Planetary Health office on 0407 437 553
#planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthcentre #bushcare #habitatrestoration #restoringhabitat #margaretmead #theantidote #newyear #satisfaction #greatcompany❤️
Some of the most popular activities we`ve run over the last year have been our plant-based cooking demonstrations. If you`d like to learn more about how to prepare meals that are cheaper, healthier and better for the planet, Teja Brooks Pribac from PlantInspired will be demonstrating how to use pantry essentials to create delicious and healthy plant-based meals tomorrow: Friday 6 December at Junction 142 in Katoomba. Ph. 0434 691 496
#plantbased #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthdiet #cookingclass #katoomba #bluemountains
If you`ve heard about how inspiring and fun our Skillshare Saturdays are with our free Upcycling Fashion workshop from 9am to 3pm, our Wildlife Exhibition from 9am to 1pm, and our Bushcare to regenerate the Planetary Health Precinct at 1.30pm, there`s still one more opportunity in 2024 to come along and join in, this Saturday 7 December. Well be having some delicious Christmas nibbles to celebrate the end of a very productive year and all are welcome. The Planetary Health Centre is at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Bookings for Upcycling essential (link in profile). To find out more about joining Bushcare ring 0407 437553 #upcyclingfashion #bushcare #planetaryhealth #learntosew #patternmaking #katoomba #bluemountains #natureconnection #wildlifeexhibition #birdphotos #wires
The inspiring Lyrebird Festival kicks off in the Megalong Valley this evening and runs until Sunday 17th November. Enjoy a weekend of music, art, food, wine, talks and nature walks as The Bowerbird Collective brings together art, science, conservation and world class music performances. All events can be booked separately or together with a Festival pass. Pricing includes a `Pay what you can` option.
The Lyrebird can be heard in the Megalong Valley imitating the calls of hundreds of other species, as well as producing their own thrilling sounds. The festival also includes a very special film screening of The Message of the Lyrebird on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/3AON8In
(or at link in profile)
#megalongvalley #lyrebirds #lyrebirdfestival #bowerbirdcollective #bluemountains #planetaryhealth
In April 2021 Blue Mountains City Council became the first local government in Australia to adopt a motion to integrate Rights of Nature principles into its operations and practices. Today the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and lawyer Kingsley Liu, had the great pleasure of workshopping further ways to implement Rights of Nature with this inspiring group of Law students from the University of New South Wales.
#rightsofnature #UNSW #lawstudents #planetaryhealth #bluemountains
At our World Animal Day event we launched the Community Supporting Community Program with a plant based cheese degustation. Teja Brooks Pribac from PlantInspired is now offering interactive classes in which you can have fun learning new techniques for using vegetables to create delicious meals that are good for your health and the health of the planet. Small groups: 6-8 people. $65.50pp. Bookings essential.
Classes currently on offer:
Plant-based cheese making & demo
Saturday 9 Nov, 1-3pm. Lawson NSW: https://www.facebook.com/events/1274663973560691
[DATE CHANGE!] The Tastemaster: how to turn your average vegetable into a mouthwatering masterpiece
Sunday 17 November, 11am-2pm. Katoomba: https://www.facebook.com/events/517611447925601
End of year special: plant-based cooking essentials 2-class bundle
Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1 December, 11am-2pm. Katoomba NSW: https://www.facebook.com/events/1116156823213312
Cooking with seitan
Saturday 7 December, 11am-2pm. Katoomba NSW. https://www.facebook.com/events/1553960262666738
PlantInspired is also offering interactive plant-based cooking classes and demos for individual clients, private groups and businesses. Choose from a range of preset classes or get in touch to tailor your own.
All profits utilised to help vulnerable members of the community through the Community Supporting Community program. Check the website for more info: www.plantinspired.com.au (link in profile)
#plantinspired #plantbasedcooking #vegan #community #planetaryhealth
Skillshare Saturdays literally offer a `breath of fresh air` at the Planetary Health Centre on the first Saturday of the month! At our free Upcycling Fashion workshop this month you can learn more about all types of zips and how to do basic pockets and pocket flaps. You can bring your own sewing machine or use one of ours. And at Bushcare in the afternoon, you can immerse yourself in the bush at the Planetary Health Precinct as you help restore habitat and protect biodiversity (while meeting some great people and enjoying time in nature). Bookings essential for Upcycling Fashion at Eventbrite here: https://bit.ly/4dZWUoM (link in profile)
If you`d like to join our Bushcare Group contact Karen Hising at khising@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or call the Bushcare Office on 4780 5623
#upcyclingfashion #skillshare #planetaryhealth #bushcare #community #togetherwecan #zerowaste #regeneration #circulareconomy
As 190 countries gather for the @cop16colombia UN Biodiversity Summit, to focus on how we can protect the world’s flora and fauna, we’d like to thank all those local individuals and organisations dedicated to the same goal who came together for World Animal Day at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre on Saturday 5 October. They offered ways for everyone to learn more and take action. From the Blue Mountains Bird Observers, who led over 40 people on a guided Breakfast with the Birds walk, to many others who offered information stalls, talks, workshops, a Wild Life exhibition, live music, plant-based food and hands-on Bushcare. We also launched the Community Plant Based Cooking Project with the first class to be held on Saturday 9 November at @roseyravelstonbooks in Lawson. Places are limited. Learn more here: https://plantinspired.com.au/
#worldanimalday #biodiversity #plantbased #planetaryhealth #bluemountains #katoomba
Did you know that old lino, window putty, and adhesive can contain asbestos? Yesterday the Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conference kicked off with a pre-conference workshop at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre. It included hands-on `spot the asbestos` and asbestos sampling sessions. This year`s theme is `Working together for a safe and healthy future`. #asbestos #hazardousmaterials #conference #planetaryhealth #bluemountains #katoomba
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Doctors for the Environment and Planetary Health
Shaun Watson is the NSW Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia. At his home-away-from-home in the Kanimbla Valley, he talks about his motivation to fight for the planet, the health impacts of fossil fuels and simple things we can do to make a difference.
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The Walking Weeder: Marianne Bate and the Grose River Catchment
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For the love of kangaroos
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How to Make Your Home More Fire Resilient
The villages of Bell, Clarence and Dargan found themselves in the path of two converging fires at the end of 2019. Afterwards, the communities engaged fire consultant Tony Hawkins and produced three videos on how to make your property more resilient in the face of fire.
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June Local News
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Inspirational, Intergenerational Play in Blackheath
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A Carnival of Camellias: Beauty and Biodiversity at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
What do tea, samurai clans, William McArthur, Benjamin Franklin, Vietnam and the Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah have in common? Read on to explore the way camellias and cultures are woven together and why it’s important we think about conserving biodiversity as a global project implemented at a local level.
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The Lyrebird Festival: The Music of Life in the Megalong
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Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Bats: Supporting Pollinators for Planetary Health
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Growing Community at the Blackheath Vegie Patch
Mel Michael is the newish owner of the Blackheath Vegie Patch. We talk about making lemonade from local lemons, a philosophy of abundance, and how businesses can make communities more resilient.
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Fire Resistant and Fabulous: An Off-Grid Home in the Megalong Valley
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Recreating the Social Benefits of a Corner Store in South Blackheath
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‘Come Friends, Listen’: A Raingarden for Community & Country
The National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Blue Mountains built a rain garden with the help of NPWS Bushcare volunteers. The garden filters water from the roof of the new shelter in Blackheath and slows runoff, limiting erosion. It reduces nutrient levels, disadvantaging introduced weeds.
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June Local News
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New Water Play Area and Rejuvenated Pond Opens at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park
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Drone-powered Conservation: The Search for Fletcher’s Drumsticks
Trent Forge from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and drone pilot Richard Delaney search for the critically endangered 'Fletcher's Drumsticks'. Using drones, the cliffs and hanging swamps of Blue Mountains National Park can be surveyed in a way previously impossible.
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Sustainability at School: Lessons in The Cycles of Life
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Learning as Resilience: Chris Tobin on History, Country and the Power of Different Perspectives
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Charmaine Ledden-Lewis on Stories for a New World
Hamish Dunlop interviews prize-winning children’s book illustrator, mother, activist and proud Bundjalung woman, Charmaine Ledden-Lewis about the power of storytelling and how we can inspire our children to build a better world.
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Orchids in the Blue Mountains: An invitation Into Mystery
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‘Somewhere to Live’: Singing the Song of Homelessness
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Rooves, Tanks & Rain Gardens: Things We Can Do at Home to Save Water and Help the Environment
Planetary Health Initiative writer Hamish Dunlop talks to Amy St Lawrence from Blue Mountains City Council’s Healthy Waterways Team. Amy explains what she’s doing at her home to collect and use water. She also talks about how her rain garden reduces run-off during and after rainfall.
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Govetts Leap Catchment Group: Collaborating to Protect our Wilderness from Weeds
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Blue Mountains achieves global standard in Ecotourism