Tag Archives: Science

With 95% of turtle eggs eaten by foxes, the odds are against baby turtles. However, things are now looking up for Glenbrook Lagoon’s turtle population. The floating Turtle Island is proving to be a safe haven, and a community-led nest protection strategy is making a big difference.  

During Frog ID Week in late 2023, a record number of recordings were submitted to the Frog ID app. Join a group of froggers on a Frog ID outing in Lithgow to learn how to contribute to this important (and fun) citizen science project.

Taken for granted, the night sky is integral to the health of the whole natural world, including our own health and wellbeing. Local Blue Mountains astronomy groups are helping us rediscover and protect it from light pollution.

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.

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.

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.

Every Autumn Blue Mountains City Council conducts water monitoring on more than 70 creeks, adding to 25 years of data. A new group of ‘Aquatic Scientists’ has joined the ranks of the professionals. Glenbrook Public School Year 6 students have been armed with the tools and knowledge to help look after the health of our waterways.

Mushroom season may be over, but edible mushrooms are just one kind of fungi, as Tracie McMahon found out when she attended a mycology workshop run by Lithgow Oberon Landcare and Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub.

The father of evolutionary theory, Charles Darwin, expressed remorse late in life about not doing more to help the earth’s creatures. A century and a half later in the lower Blue Mountains, his great-great-grandson Chris Darwin is devoting his life to addressing this regret.

Building, renovating? There is so much to think about! This week we talk with Dr Jane Aiken, a local land consultant with Consulting and Environment Services (CESsoils). We discover why soil is foundational to getting your build ‘right’ and learn how to avoid some of the ‘traps’ for the unaware.