When we bought our large bush block in the 1980s in the foothills of Toowoomba’s escarpment, the bush around us appeared to be an indistinct blur of green. As 20-somethings, … Continue reading From Green Blur to Valued Diversity
In 2015, a small group of landholders in the western Lockyer met to discuss their concerns about the condition of their local conservation park, Dwyers Scrub. The park protects a … Continue reading Caring for the Lockyer Uplands
When we first came to our property we were amazed by the rainforest, the figs, orchids, butterflies, giant birds nest ferns and an astounding diversity of native wildlife – it … Continue reading Property Profile: Bringing back the platypus, Murphy’s Creek
Above: Students worked with professional storyteller, Daryll Bellingham to create a story about their part of their catchment. After the devastating 2011 oods in the Lockyer Valley, many primary school … Continue reading Creative Recovery Project (Splashing About in our Catchment) in the Lockyer
In response to Spencer Shaw’s weed profile (October 2012), you may be familiar with the term ‘novel ecosystem’. This is defined as an ecosystem that has been influenced by humans, … Continue reading Ragamuffin Earth, novel ecosystems and the benefit of weeds, Stockyard
There’s been a lot of media focus since recent record flooding in the Lockyer Valley on the human impact of these events. Perhaps less well known are the environmental impacts … Continue reading Property Profile: Spinach Creek Floods and Wildlife, Fordsdale
Nine years ago we bought a 65 hectare patch of Spotted Gum country in the north-eastern corner of what is now the Lockyer Valley Regional Council area. This was to … Continue reading Property Profile: Our Little Patch of Farm Forestry
Thirty-nine years ago my husband and I bought a property in the upperLockyer Valley with the aim of raising our three sons on land that would engage and inspire them. … Continue reading Property Profile: Magnificent View and Dramatic Cliffs at Flagstone