Photography and words by Charles Hunter I am in the ancient Big Scrub rainforest of Nightcap National Park near Nimbin in the Byron Bay Hinterland, north-eastern NSW. It’s 5.00am and I’ve just crossed shallow Rocky Creek. I start walking up Gibbergunyah Range Road. The air becomes thick with moisture and the temperature drops. It’s still dark but...
By Chris Byrne, Communications Manager, Big Scrub Landcare. Original version of story published in Byron Magazine. In 1989, Pamela and Martin Brook purchased a run-down dairy farm in the Byron Bay hinterland to live their dream of moving to the country. Over the decades since, they tirelessly converted the desolate farm into a thriving orchard,...
A personal contribution from Big Scrub Landcare member, Mike Delaney. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the past 43 years living where the Big Scrub once stood. I came to the North Coast of NSW with a friend to start a native plant nursery and a different life. It wasn’t until I picked up a booklet...
A personal contribution from Big Scrub Landcare member, Ken Dorey. While there are many who find fault with Byron Bay, there are few who don’t appreciate the historic charm and community spirit of Bangalow; good food, good vibes, good people. Amazingly, our Bangalow has appeared, and is evolving, all within our lifetimes – a virtual...
A personal contribution from Big Scrub Landcare member, Dr Kristin den Exter. Bruce Pascoe and Vicky Shukuroglou recently wrote that we can better learn to love our country – I agree. This is one reason why I am so committed to the community landcare movement. Studying environmental science in the 1990’s it was clear to me that...
Big Scrub Landcare President Dr. Tony Parkes has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to conservation and the environment through the restoration of subtropical rainforest in northern New South Wales. Tony commented “I am delighted that this award recognises services to conservation. I accept this award on behalf...
BSL participated in a Big Scrub Interest Day on Thursday 21st March. 180 students from grades 3 and 4 from 14 schools across the Big Scrub region came to Rocky Creek Dam to participate in environmental education activities including tree planting, bush walking and learning about drinking water catchments. The students took part in planting...
Big Scrub Landcare have appeared in the Journal of Australasian Science: Australia’s authority on science since 1938. Professor Ian Lowe’s article looks at the loss of biodiversity globally and highlights the positive impact that groups like Big Scrub Landcare are making. The article also refers to the Australian Science Policy Fellowship Program available for mid-career...
2019 sees Big Scrub Landcare (BSL) enter its 26th year of operation. We look ahead to a busy year as we undertake projects to the value of $1million over the next four years that promote, facilitate and undertake long term restoration and ongoing care of critically endangered lowland subtropical rainforests. Funding for these projects has...
Contributed by Envite Environment Big Scrub Landcare has been granted $50,000 from the Australian Government National Landcare Program – Environment Small Grants for rainforest restoration at the Rainforest and Water Reserve at Rocky Creek Dam. The reserve is habitat for 25 threatened animal species and 9 threatened plant species including the pouched frog, rose crowned...
