Loving the Redlands Mudflats? The environmental significance of Moreton Bay, Queensland.

This week I came across this article "Why we should love the Redlands Mudflats" and thought it well worth sharing here.

I quite often go down to the Brisbane River for a walk near to the CBD at New Farm ... taking the path from the Sydney Rd Ferry terminal. Its a peaceful grassy walk and I stop to see the tiny remnant mangrove area I like to photograph... observing this small patch with wonder at what it would have been like here before the 1820's when Brisbane was settled by Europeans.

If you wish to keep up with more regular news please follow my FACEBOOK PAGE: Homage to the Seed as I post frequently, virtually everyday without fail, adding news on the project, residencies, workshops, Artowork, related issues and themes, whats happening at my Studio SeedArtLab and so on. Exposure to a wide audience through FB affords this project broader connections and dialogue ... however as this Blog started in 2010 contains a great deal of archived material I will continue to keep it going, albeit less often!

Up the road from where I live...

   Up the road from where I live

are farms like this...

I live at Brisbane... Toowomba - due west- is the centre of the Darling Downs region

I mean up the highway actually!

I live in the city

 and its an hour 

or more due west 

to go see this kind of view.

Quite a lot of our weekly 

food supplies

travel down that road 

and into our city stores.

One day some people from those farms came to the city.

They had a problem on their hands and wondered if anyone

was listening ... especially us in the city!

they felt that as they were growing our food

 we might want to hear what was happening

 to the land where they farmed.

 protest meetings

blasting at Acland Mine

New Acland Mine flooded in January

All these images

 with stories attached

 come from this site set up by 

community members of 

Felton on the Darling Downs. 

There are some wonderful people I got to know last year whilst at the Botanic Gardens who live up in the Darling Downs in areas dealing with harsh issues re land use. In their front and back yards, in their towns and surrounding areas the land that has been long been hailed as "the food bowl of Australia" is being signed over to mining interests.

And the longer we stall on viable alternatives to Coal and Gas the longer this issue over Energy will continue. 

One friend lives nearby the community of Acland, a township abandoned for a coal mine. The Local Towoomba newspaper The Chronicle  printed this brief tribute below on Anzac Day this year:

Record turnout for Acland service

25th April 2011

THE Darling Downs township of Acland, now abandoned for a coal mine with the exception of one loyal resident who has refused to sell, had a record turnout for its annual Anzac Day commemoration today.

About 300 former residents and friends showed up for the ceremony at the local Anzac monument and park.

"The Queensland Greens were proud to participate again in this moving country ceremony," Queensland Greens spokesperson Libby Connors said after the service.

"Everyone’s emotions were heightened by an awareness that it could be the last service in the township as the park and memorial are threatened with demolition if New Hope Coal’s stage 3 mine expansion plans are approved."

Dr Connors said she believed support for the service had increased as more residents on the Darling Downs became aware of the threat that coal and coal seam gas posed to rural communities even those on prime agricultural lands.

"All the talk over smoko afterwards revolved around the issue of strategic cropping lands, their lack of legislative protection and the haste with which new coal mines were approved.

"With mines planned to the north, south, east and west of Acland, all the sad pride in past defence of country left many feeling anxious about protection of their homelands into the future."

So ... this afternoon ... when my friend wrote from her land near Acland I was saddened ... but more than that ... troubled to read the implications of her network's letter. 

Here is the letter that came with her email:

"Fellow Queenslanders, we desperately need your help.

Please circulate this to everyone you know – this has come from prominent Environmental Activists who know how to find where the permits have been granted.

You should be aware – and deeply concerned - that these stories are NOT being reported in the Queensland media – and Regional Councils like Toowoomba are not even telling their residents.

Mining of this magnitude will destroy our great state of Queensland as we know it – all to save two broken and busted Governments.

In 20 years we will be a slag heap, our waters will be polluted, our Artesian Basin sucked dry – and we will have nothing left to feed our people.

Please LOCK THE GATE and prepare to stand up and fight – our farmland and our way of life is worth it.

LOCK THE GATE campaign

Virtually the entire Darling Downs is now covered by coal permits of one form or another.

The South Burnett will be next, as well as the Brisbane Valley.

• Ambre Energy has a mining lease application over 2000 ha of Felton Valley, as well as around 70,000 ha under exploration permits all the way from Toowoomba to Warwick.

• Newmont has a mineral development license over 13000 ha south of Felton.

• Acland (New Hope mine) is currently in Stage One which covers 2,2000 ha. By Stage Three – with the Environmental Impact Study now awaiting rubber-stamp approval – it will include an additional 5,400 ha, giving the mine a total area of 7,400 ha. New Hope Coal owns all the farmland almost to Oakey showground, and east out to Goombungee.

• Other mining leases in the East Acland area amount to an area around 40 sq km.

·         Haystack Plain: 13,000 ha of iconic Darling Downs farmland. Tarong Energy – which is wholly owned by the Queensland Government – owns the Mineral Development Licence for the coal deposit under the Haystack Plain.

Tarong Energy representatives have stated that they have more than enough coal to service the Tarong Power Station for its entire operating life (25years+) without using the Haystack coal deposit.

They are, however, now reviewing the asset with the intention to sell the Mineral Development Licence to another company. The Haystack coal deposit is export quality coal and is likely to be exported.’

• There are exploration leases or applications for leases over the entire towns of Warwick, Highfields, Meringandan, Gowrie, Kingsthorpe, Pittsworth, Oakey, Gowrie Mountain, Hodgson Vale and Cabarlah.

• There are also applications for bauxite mines near Crows Nest and nearby Geham.

• There are bauxite exploration permits for 7,000sq kms of Qld, focused around Kingaroy and Pittsworth in particular.

• There is a permit granted for a coal mine in the Brisbane Valley only 5 kms upstream from Somerset Dam –Brisbane’s major water catchment area.

• The Qld State Government, the Toowoomba Regional Shire Council and a local developer are currently forcing throughthe biggest noxious and dangerous toxic industrial estate ever seen in regional Australia on the famous old grain and thoroughbred farm Wellcamp Downs – only ten minutes from the centre of the city.

• At 600ha, it is double the size of the heavy industrial area for the entire city of Brisbane. The site – a famous grain farm – is an old koala habitat crossed by a creek that flows into the Murray-Darling. When the south-westerly winds blow in winter, noxious fumes will settle on the roofs of Toowoomba – and straight into rainwater tanks.

• Despite the fact that Toowoomba is a Garden City with an economy based on farming, tourism, education and retirees, there have been no environmental studies on the site or buffering to protect nearby farms. One of Australia’s leading Urban Planners has described the proposal as ‘simply unbelievable - a blight on the landscape”.

• There are now exploration leases or applications for leases over almost every major grain farm, thoroughbred farm and beef farm on the Darling Downs."

I know many reading this will think of a similar situation somewhere close to your home... you may be pondering as I do... thinking its not one fight, one issue... but many.

Im posting this story here at Homage to the Seed as a reminder of the habitat loss that that image of the Koala symbolises. Loss of fauna and flora... loss of intact habitats as well as farming lands. Threats to water supplies and so much more.

Of course we need energy ...  but eco-solutions will not be found if we allow things to continue as usual. Pressure on Govts leads to different goals and undertakings... no pressure... no change ... no change... well you know the rest.

 If you live in this region, or wish to help ... please reblog, retweet, add to facebook or email this to a friend today!!!

Or perhaps you could share your story with us!

2011: UN International year of the Forests - what can we bring to this year?

There are many ways to contribute in this world!

Whilst visiting Robyn at Fragments, treasures and memories I discovered her post with this wonderful video:   MUSIC PAINTING - Glocal Sound - Matteo Negrin

A gentle approach to Global Warming.

Robyn writes "we are eco-system destroyers and we need to change our ways."

She is based in Perth, Western Australia is both direct and no-nonsense and remarkably warm and caring... with a loyal blog following who relish her desire to speak straight from the heart on what matters most in daily life.

Many times Robyn has sent me things to post on the Homage blog... so dod pop over and see whats happening in her corner of the world!

....and talking about contributing... a visit to the UN website for this years theme offers many ideas for your consideration.

After the global focus on Biodiversity last year this year the UN is celebrating the International Year of Forests - 2011.

Logo for 2011

The International Year of Forests 2011 (Forests 2011) logo is designed to convey the theme of “Forests for People” celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests. The iconographic elements in the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere, all 7 billion of us.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly

On the report of the Second Committee (A/61/422/Add.1 and Corr.1)

61/193. International Year of Forests, 2011

The General Assembly,
Reaffirming its commitment to the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests and Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002,

Recalling the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, and other relevant conventions dealing with the complexity of forest issues,

Recognizing that forests and sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals,

Recalling Economic and Social Council decision 2006/230 of 24 July 2006,

Emphasizing the need for sustainable management of all types of forests, including fragile forest ecosystems,

Convinced that concerted efforts should focus on raising awareness at all levels to strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations,

1. Decides to declare 2011 the International Year of Forests;

2. Requests the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, to serve as the focal point for the implementation of the Year, in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and international, regional and subregional organizations and processes as well as relevant major groups;

3. Invites, in particular, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, within its mandate, to support the implementation of the Year;

4. Calls upon Governments, relevant regional and international organizations, and major groups to support activities related to the Year, inter alia, through voluntary contributions, and to link their relevant activities to the Year;

5. Encourages voluntary partnerships among Member States, international organizations and major groups to facilitate and promote activities related to the Year at the local and national levels, including by creating national committees or designating focal points in their respective countries;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session on the state of preparations for the Year.

83rd plenary meeting
20 December 2006 

Marking World Environment Day, UN sounds alarm on biodiversity (click on heading to read this article)

so what will we bring to this year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! ONE DOOR CLOSES....ANOTHER IS OPEN

What a year 2010 was! The year-long residency at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens has come to a close... sadly ... but happily this is just the beginning of the next chapter for the project Homage to the Seed.... begun tentatively last February.


I had no idea how many stories, people and initiatives I would touch down with through this project...but it has been extraordinary, precious and hugely uplifting to say the least. 


Its far too early to outline what 2011 will involve ... lets just say research on seeds, considerable reflection and also painting at the Paddington studio has continued to be a big part of daily life... with of course breaks for a recent trip to Melbourne, Xmas and time with friends and family. We've also been having the wettest and, for some, toughest festive season in years. Read a story just posted at my other blog!

New years image from the floods of Qld. See more at that story above!

People are still sending me links to wonderful Seed intitaves... so there are lots of posts waiting for me to put up as soon as I can!


If you wish to visit my latest web-link that I started new years eve for some whimsy click seed capsules and you will find my experiment with Tumblr which I am really enjoying... I love the fact that the archive is a storehouse for images I wish to return to, think more about or use in some way! I was a little rusty at first and have to tidy it up but it is SO convenient and I like the feel of it I must say.


From the archive:

Marian Bijlenga, collage from her book 'written weed'

uncertaintimes: thethirdmind: Materia Medica of Vegetable Origin

eyehavenoi:

Lotus Seeds (Hawaiian Sea)

Tumblr offers a fascinating world and a really viable respository for images, links and ideas.

Food bowl for a continent under water!

Last year Food Security emerged as an issue to take seriously in mainstream media. Events such as the Queensland floods point to the kind of phenomena being discussed as a reason we must rethink  the sustainability of the systems in place - food, water, soil, farming and food production... to cope with changes we are experiencing with climate.


...here's something else to think about in 2011... from National Geographic on population... their theme for the year!

I wish you all a wonderful 2011  and hope you will be back to visit, leave comments and links ... and that together we will find ways to be more creative about how we manage the resources of this planet for the best interests of all!


Abundant blessings to all!
Sophie

le chemin des grands jardins...

working directly from nature ... Roger Dautais - view more at the blog here.

Tea and Seed Stories - reflections on WED 2010 in the Japanese Gardens at Mt Coot-tha

World Environment Day event - Mt Coot-tha

This table of seeds, plants and other items was set up by Bettina Palmer, one of the long term Volunteer guides at Brisbane Botanic Gardens to demonstrate the seeds to be found on site at the gardens. Helping also on the day was another wonderful volunteer Judy Grimshaw shown above with a group of visitors.

This was the setting for 'Tea and Seed Stories' at the Japanese Garden

Bettina was my excellent guide earlier this year when I was getting familiar with the Gardens - click on this earlier post to read about the tour she took me on one rainy day in March!

 

This is a close up (click to enlarge for viewing) of the jewellery that Bettina is wearing which is one of her designs. She has specially featured as many seeds or natural items as possible. The large red ones come from Brazil - I will need to ask her for the name of it. 

Below: are a series of items that were on the table primarily to engage children in the task of connecting seeds to the related food items. However being a Sunday many passers by stopped at this table and all eyes were on the pomegranate, cacao beans and chocolate, coffee beans and lotus pods in particular. I did a post on the cacao bean (seed actually) here in March as well. You can see it growing in the Geodesic Dome for Tropical plants.

  

In the centre of the table you may see the chocolate next to the cacao beans which are encase in a  white, furry substance.

banksia seedpods and blackbean seeds - I spy other seeds but can identify them from here.

bunya nuts and coffee beans

macadamias with biscuits made from them.

Bettina also kept many children very busy with paper and textas drawing the seeds on display whilst some parents joined me in the Japanese Tea House for the story circle dialogue. She had a seriously busy day along with Judy and I am very grateful for their time on Sunday. These two gorgeous sisters didn't mind sharing their work with us.

Below are a series of shots from the tea house in the break between sessions. We had a well attended early session and also later session - so numbers were ripe for good conversation and the telling of stories. A number of people have commented since on the fact we had an extraordinarily diverse crowd - diverse in backgrounds - cultural, professional and community-wise. This lead to very interesting cross-connections on the day and the enthusiasm by many to do something like this again!

We had a magnificent day all round - with lovely mild temperatures, sunshine and an outlook that was blissful. We could see some passers by looking quite longingly at our gathering in this tea house.

And quite a few impromptu visitors joined us which was lovely as we had put our posters around so it would be known new-comers were welcome to participate.

The story circle was an ideal way to meet new people and be briefly introduced to each others stories, the thinking behind them, and where we have come from. Each person was given this introduction below and the reference to the UN fact sheet on Biodiversity. Read this May blog post to see more.