Stories From: Sustainability

From running the Rotary Recycles Op Shop, to replacing disposable coffee cups with crockery at the Glenbrook Rotary Markets, volunteers in the Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club are taking up the challenge of Rotary's newest area of focus - Supporting the Environment.

The Swamp Diaries is an initiative of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute. Over 12 months, artists are spending time with precious and endangered upland swamp ecosystems across the Blue Mountains and creatively documenting the flora and fauna they observe.

Troubled by my weekly packaging waste, I compared leftover packaging from a sample shop at the Blue Mountains Food Co-op with a similar supermarket shop. The results were enlightening.

Tom Gleeson was just 11 when he joined his mum and 20 other Warrimoo residents in a community-based program called Sustainability Street. Locals of all ages met regularly in backyards, lounge rooms, a school hall & parks to learn about sustainable ways of living, working, thinking & acting.

Olwyn and Ross King have finished building two tiny houses - their first in the Wolgan Valley, and their second in Portland. So, just what is a tiny house?

Mary's Garden is a catalyst for growing community, connection to nature, an understanding of history and food security.

Willowa Ana Carter is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for creating community connection. She's also the creator of Re’kleimees - but what are they?

As a child, Beth Healy loved reading The Secret Garden. When she became a mum, Beth created her own outdoor treasure trove at her Blaxland home. 'Dirt Mum' is passionate about spreading her love of nature and its bounties to her 9 and 11-year-old daughters and Lower Mountains school children.

“Wherever I go, bookstores are still the closest thing to a town square.” – Gloria Steinem. Founder of Good Earth Bookshop Mary Coin talks about the importance of community connection and the enduring power of books.

Inspired by Japanese Zen Buddhism, Anne Mellor has designed her Springwood home, in a Flame Zone, around water.