Lower Blue Mountains artist Corinne Loxton has used daily walks in the bush, journaling and painting to help her overcome culture shock and a personal crisis, and to connect more deeply with herself and the rest of the natural world.
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2023
Katoomba Op Shops & Antique Stores Driving the Circular Economy
With 20 secondhand 'shops' to explore, including lots of funky vintage and op shops, Katoomba is a growing hub for the circular economy. This guide explains what’s on offer where and how to donate your unwanted stuff.
Read More »BUZZBUZZ! New Leura Bee and Pollinator Shop and More to Explore in Pollinator Week
Australian Pollinator Week 2023 is 11-19 November. And BUZZBUZZ is a new shop that has opened in Leura to champion pollinators. You can too - find out how here.
Read More »It’s November and 1 Million Turtles are counting on you!
November is turtle nesting season and this month hundreds of these popular reptiles will be travelling to nesting sites across the Blue Mountains. Thanks to Springwood resident, Associate Professor Ricky Spencer and the innovative citizen science project 1 Million Turtles, there is a lot everyone can do to make sure our local turtle populations are protected and healthy.
Read More »From Bomb Disposal To Blue Mountains Birdwatching
Mat van der Aa swapped detonating explosives in the Air Force for life as an outdoor educator and guide. His ‘office’ is the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and his mission is to inspire teenagers to respect and love the bush as much as he does.
Read More »Lawson Kids Confront the World’s Problems
When school kids around the state heard the call: Invent or innovate something that will change our world and leave a lasting impact, Lawson Public School students rose to the challenge.
Read More »Heat Detectives Record 60 Degrees in Lithgow
During Summer 2022/23 Western Sydney University trained residents to use thermal imaging cameras to document surface temperatures in the local landscape as part of the Heat Detective project. The images captured temperatures varying from 20°C to over 60°C, demonstrating both the urban heat island effect and simple solutions to reduce its impact.
Read More »The ‘Buzz’ on Australian Pollinator Week: Are You Native Bee Aware?
Dr Megan Halcroft, from Hampton, is a leading educator on native bees. She's creating awareness around the critical role of our native bees in protecting biodiversity. She spoke with Planetary Health writer Tracie McMahon at Eskbank House earlier this year.
Read More »Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Bats: Supporting Pollinators for Planetary Health
The Rotary Club of Blackheath has launched a Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Bats Pollinator Project. With 65% of the world’s flowering plants, including crops and trees, requiring some form of animal pollination, helping pollinators is critical to planetary health. Club President Sherlie McMillian explains how we can support pollinators in Blackheath, the Blue Mountains and beyond.
Read More »“Looking After My Patch”
Margaret Gough ran a WIRES animal refuge for more than two decades, was District Commissioner for Scouts in the Blue Mountains, and coordinated the Lithgow Community Centre for a decade. Her home was burnt in Mount Victoria during the 2013 fires, but she’s rebuilt and is now more prepared. She continues to nurture the diverse life on ‘her patch’.
Read More »