Nature Stewardship
I recently completed the 10 week Nature Stewards program run by the Victorian National Parks Association in conjunction with my local council. I was lucky enough to be offered a Landcare scholarship to participate in this environmental education short course that is not only about deepening our connection to the natural world but is specifically tailored to understanding the unique regions we call home, in my case the most biodiverse region in the state of Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula shire, which I learnt has over 60+ different ecological vegetation classes (EVCs). Something I love about and have often remarked upon living here and is the sheer array of differing landscapes one can pass through whilst traversing the Peninsula, from grassy woodlands to coastal salt marsh to riparian forest, I now feel an even greater appreciation of and responsibility to care for the land, waterways, flora and fauna that abound in my local landscape.
It is the local specificity which has made this program truly life changing. It is one thing to have an understanding of the parts and pieces that make up the natural world but it is another to personally connect with our landscapes in our immediate proximity. I can now proudly say at the age of 36 that I can identify and tell the difference between a Manna from a Messmate or Peppermint gum, a Black Wattle from a Blackwood, and a Sheoak from a Cherry Ballart. Everyone should have this knowledge, but to our own detriment, culturally we have become disconnected from the earth beneath our feet and the trees that grow alongside us. Distracted by all the trappings of modern life we don't prioritise or make time to know how the mountains we climb were formed via volcanic activity millennia ago or what this country looked like pre-colonisation (and the scarcity of remnant vegetation that now remains post-colonisation). We rarely stop to admire the hundreds of varieties of fungi popping up everywhere at this magical time of year and marvel at their networks which connect all living and decaying things. We have forgotten that some of our most beloved local wildlife like sugar gliders, powerful owls and eastern grey kangaroos exists all around us and we as humans can play a powerful role in helping these indigenous species to thrive or unwilling push them closer towards extinction.
Our climate is undeniable, unequivocally, irrefutably changing due to human influence since the industrial revolution and despite the take up of renewable energy across the globe, the data continues to show that collectively we are not doing enough to slow this process down. Predicted modelling presented to our group by CSIRO climate scientists shows that our hottest years on record thus far will be the coldest years for our children and grandchildren within the next 30-50 years. Sadly, for too long, we have prioritised endless economic growth despite the fact we are living on a finite planet. A beautiful, abundant, rich, paradisiacal planet at that. I am saddened and scared for the world my children and grandchildren will inherit, it won't look like the one I grew up in or the one my parents did or their parents. The information is sobering but to lose all hope would be catastrophic. Every single person no matter their lot in life has a role to play to ensure we are living in balance with this planet as humans were always intended to. We are a part of, not seperate from, the natural world after all.
Yes, it all begins with education, but it is swiftly followed by action. Nature Stewards has just inspired 25 Mornington Peninsula shire residents to send ripple effects out into their communities, neighbourhoods and social circles, as it has done so and continues to do so in many other municipalities across Victoria. We began with the goal of infecting others with nature but we are now all equipped and tasked with doing what we can to further protect and care for the lands upon which we live for the benefit of all plant, animal and human life.
What does this mean practically for me and my family? Aside from continuing to do all we can to make our home and lifestyle as sustainable and regenerative as possible, I am going to start a 'little' friends group for our local reserve so that my own children and others in our neighbourhood can play a part in taking care of a small patch of our local environment, strengthening our connection to the natural world and encouraging children (and adults alike) to connect with their local landscape and wild space. I think if we all committed to help care for our communal places this would go a long way in growing stronger communities and a healthier planet. It is the small collective actions of many that can turn this ship around and I wish more people felt empowered and knew how to contribute in their own meaningful ways.
From citizen science, to volunteering, advocating and mentoring, the Nature Stewards program is the perfect antidote and starting point for anyone, no matter your age, background, level of knowledge or experience, to get involved in contributing to a better world for all. This program has made me fall even more deeply in love with where I live and lit a fire in my belly to do everything I can within my power to care for, champion and protect it for generations to come.