• google search – Australia: native grassland and roadside environment conservation advice .

• Looking for some native australian grass Alternatives? try here:- Grasses of Subtropical eastern Australia Margaret Elliott : search results bluecray Environmental Search Engine

• and, Grasses of Subtropical Eastern Australia by Penny Watsford & Margaret Elliott Nullum Publications, Murwillumbah .at Brunswick Valley Landcare Inc. BOOKSHOP. This book is worth buying or finding in your library. It comes with a CD, photos and clear illustrations. You may even like to purchase a copy and donate it to the library of your local school or TAFE!!
• search results at Australian Government Biodiversity Search pages : native grasslands roadside .

This source of biodiversity, seed bank and native vegetation is often overlooked as a resource that can be managed by road side natural resource managers. It is definitely overlooked by drainage and earthworks contractors, mowing contractors and herbicide contractors. It is a local natural resource that is very under utilized.

Seed banks are precious in this day of biodiversity stress. Sustainability of development relies on acknowledging this, if it is to be truly sustainable at this level of land management.

Land that is cleared for development and roadworks is often removed by machine, with much top soil vegetative material and seed kept in situ for later re-use, back onto the newly formed landscape, of the road or development. This is done quickly, suddenly and harshly.

PK sees that Transplanting Native seedlings for at risk sites is a great way to keep small micro habitats happy

Localised collection of native seedlings, seed, rhizomes, tubers, and other propagation material can be a wonderful treasure chest for later use on the road verge or developed site.

A localised propagation material collection can be stored locally, collected manually , organically and sustainably stored and reused.

Land Managers of road verges encompass a number of different people, from designers and other who sit in offices, draw plans and do not understand the basic concepts of plant strategies for survival, to vegetation management& maintenance specialists who spend much of their time writing reports, filling out forms and negotiating new contracts, to the  contractors, who mow, scrape, excavate  and spray the road verge or development site.

All the while, as these guidelines, initiatives, policies, reports, environmental studies and briefs mount up,  little bits of road verge keep regrowing little seedlings, that get cut, re-cut, sprayed, resprayed, until they either survive, or die out.

Many of these seedlings and propagules,  especially in new developments or new roadworks, may be native. Under the ground there are even native tubers that we cannot see, and seed in the soil, leaf litter and grass thatch.

Sometimes, all it takes is   a little help.

Sometimes a little initiative.

Sometimes more land stewardship education.

bluecray Balance of Faeries blog :  “roads”

bluecray.org search  :  “Regional Environmental News Mt Warning Caldera Region NE NSW & SE QLD”

bluecrya.org :  ”Advocacy Links search ”

bluecray.org all search engines :  ”roads vegetation management”

bluecray.org search :  “roads vegetation management”

Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Biodiversity

SEQ Catchments and Biodiversity

• Weed Identification – IBRA – SE Qld
• Weed Identification – IBRA – NSW North Coast
• Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management (Weeds CRC) – what does your garden grow
• Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association : New community listing under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act .  (IFFA)

• native grassland and roadside central qld environment conservation advice : This conservation advice was approved by the Minister on: 15/12/08 A statement for the purposes of approved conservation advice (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

About 28 years ago, when I was studying at Gatton Agricultural College, I realised that to have a goal in life, something that I could work on, that would give me meaning to life, may be a good thing.

I meditated upon this, and decided that, to keep it simple, it was best to give my goal as few a words as possible. Discovering a life goal, and putting it into a few simple words may sound somewhat difficult. However, suprisingly, as soon as I asked this question of myself, the answer came immediately.

And the word were few. ‘Wisdom in the Land’. Very simple. Yet, full of complexity.

This life goal of Wisdom in the Land has led me to many beautiful places, inspiring people, and amazing experiences. The search for wisdom may seem a rather pretentious journey, and yet to me, it implied an innocent stance – one of student to nature.

The journey for me is far from over. And by the end of my journey I will still be the student.

What the goal of Wisdom in the Land has taught me so far, is that the teachings are everywhere.

The world, the land is an awesome place of learning. Wherever I go I learn more and more. It is a never ending goal for me, and one that I will never reach. But the journey that the goal is taking me on is worth it! So far, this is what I have learnt

If you sit quietly, and listen with your spirit, the Land will talk with you.
The Land, and all its natural wonder, is a great teacher.
The Land, and all its resources, belongs not to us. We belong to it.
With vision, we lead ourselves forward.

Choose your vision wisely, with your heart.

The rush for owning and possessing Land can lead us to run frantically upon the same spot, eating up the very resources that we aspire to own, till eventually we eat ourselves. Nothing is left.
Relax and be part of the wonder that nature provides in the Land.

Meditate within the Land
Retreat to the hidden spaces within time that the Land holds for us.
It is there, that the Land will speak to us.

The Land is a receptive vehicle, though which our creative energy and desire can be focused. Use this creative energy and desire wisely, for our human knowledge and consciousness has evolved great power. And greater power requires greater Wisdom.

Ask yourself – is it better to run upon the spot, and eat yourself up?
Ask yourself – is it better to relax and let the Land be your friend and guide, teaching you Wisdom…

Wisdom in the Land does not need a degree from university or great scientific learning, it can be practiced daily, anywhere, anytime. It can be shared with others and it will probably take a lifetime to become just a little wiser!

Alison Polistchuk

(I dedicate this page to two people who have inspired me to journey on this path. One is a neighbour of my childhood, who inspired me to follow the path of nature and simplicity – Rosemary Payet. The other person is Len Webb, who grew up with my father, Roy, and who sent me such a beautiful letter when I graduated from college, wishing me well, that his wishes have stayed with me, in my heart, to this day.)

bluecray blog

Bluecray.org endeavours to create cohesive insight, useful resources and links, and practical networks for the people and organisations that have the wellbeing of the Mt Warning Caldera region at heart.

While this website is under construction, much of the information may seem a little scattered, as the task of refining regional environmental advocacy resources links and information is a mammoth task! Meanwhile, bluecray.org honours the many people who have dedicated their lives and work to date, in order to advocate for the Mt Warning Caldera Region – its unique biodiverse habitats, ecosystems, natural heritage and beauty.

Please pay another visit to bluecray.org over the coming months, and do not hesitate to contribute your ideas and suggestions. All are welcome.

cheers,

from bluecray