Sowing the seeds for a biodiverse future

Environmental degradation and climate change are two of the largest environmental issues facing our planet, and our younger generations will be the most affected by the challenges they bring.

Creating a more sustainable world now and for future generations depends on education, awareness and being readily available to take action. Poseidon Primary School is achieving this for its students, teachers, and parents through many great initiatives, such as its participation in Murdoch University’s Miyawaki Forest Program.

Miyawaki Forests

Miyawaki forests are small, densely planted forests comprised of endemic plant species. These forests encourage biodiversity, maturing rapidly to provide habitat more quickly than using traditional methods. These forests also help reduce urban temperatures, improve mental and physical well-being, and help to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The ‘Miyawaki Method’ was developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Professor Akira Miyawaki as a method to help reforest degraded and industrial landscapes. An adaptation of the method involves densely planting endemic species (determined through a species survey of local forests/bushland) in a small area, usually the size of a tennis court. A typical Miyawaki forest has approximately three to five plants per square metre, with around 30 or more endemic species. Due to this planting method, Miyawaki forests can grow into mature ecosystems in just 20 years, up to ten times faster than using traditional reforestation methods.

After the first two to three years, most Miyawaki forests require no maintenance and can provide up to 18 times greater biodiversity than using traditional planting methods.

Poseidon Primary School’s Pocket Forest

Poseidon Primary School was invited to participate in the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program developed and led by Dr Grey Coupland from the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, who receives funding for forest planting activities from Carbon Positive Australia. The scientific and educational outreach program is funded by the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University. The program is recognised as one of UNESCO ‘Green Citizens’ programs outreach programs for 2022 and was a finalist in the Australian Museum’s Eureka Awards for “Innovation in Citizen Science.”

The program offers a practical, hands-on learning experience where children can plant and monitor their own forest as it matures. Students also investigate the local wildlife that enjoy the forest area. Dr Coupland runs formal lessons on topics including urban sustainability and rewilding as part of the program, which complements the school curriculum.

Poseidon Primary School’s pocket forest was planted by students in August 2022. The forest covers an area of 100m2 and contains 300 plants from 31 locally native species. Species such as Tar Bush (Eremophila glabra) and Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii), among others, were densely planted to grow fast with little maintenance required.

Coupland designed the forest to include access for the children and a central yarning circle where students and teachers can use the forest as an outdoor classroom.

  

From turf to biodiverse: Poseidon Primary School’s Miyawaki forest transformed a turfed area into a beautiful biodiverse forest consisting of over 300 locally native plants.

The biodiverse forest has attracted lots of different fauna species, such as native bees, lizards and birds. The forest is only 18 months old and has already shown rapid growth and is thriving in the small space.

Eddystone Primary School and South Padbury Primary School are also involved in the Miyawaki Forest Program with their established and thriving pocket forests, while Ocean Reef Primary School’s pocket forest is scheduled for planting in 2024. There is also a Miyawaki forest planted in partnership with Statewide Services (Department of Education) in Padbury, and it forms part of the Statewide Services Bush Classroom program linked to their Two Way initiative.

Growing environmental knowledge

Not only does the school’s Miyawaki forest benefit the environment and wildlife, but it also acts as an educational resource for students to learn about environmental science both inside and outside the classroom.

The first step for students getting involved in the program was setting up a compost system. Students learned to reduce their food waste by composting their recess and lunch scraps, and they also received green waste and organic waste from local businesses. The turf was then removed and the soil at the forest site was improved by digging in the student’s compost, along with coconut coir and a special compost tea created by Dr Coupland added to the soil’s surface.

Year 4-6 students from Poseidon Primary School helped with the planting of over 31 locally native species in the Miyawaki Forest.

 

Students from Year 4 to Year 6 planted the forest under the guidance of Dr Coupland and the Murdoch University Miyawaki Forest team. Once planting was completed, the forest was covered with a thick layer of mulch to protect the soil, retain moisture and save water.

Miyawaki forests mature up to 10 times faster than traditional planting methods. The Poseidon Primary School Miyawaki forest was planted in August 2022.

Whilst preparing and planting the forest provided a beneficial educational experience, the Miyawaki Forest also provides an ongoing educational experience for students. Each month, students work with Murdoch University team to monitor their forest. Students learn to record data on aspects including plant survival and, growth and biodiversity.

The students have learned about the urban heat island effect caused by existing hardstand surfaces and how to measure surface and air temperatures to track the cooling effect of their forest. They learned how to use scientific equipment and how to write scientific reports about their findings. They also learned about weed species and weed management, frequently helping to weed their forest to ensure it can continue to grow strong.

Benefits of nature-based learning

The Miyawaki Forest program at Poseidon Primary School provides so many benefits to students’ wellbeing, learning, and overall school experience. The students enjoy being outdoors and working in their ‘outdoor classroom,’ and they have become more engaged with environmental science activities and have a genuine curiosity and interest in the forest. Their knowledge of local native animals has improved significantly during the program, as has their ability to collect and record data. Students often visit the forest during their break times, and some also meet there before and after school. For many students, the forest is a relaxing and calming safe space.

Students’ focus, attention, and academic performance have likely improved as well. Access to nature and a view of trees has proven to increase literacy and numeracy results, alongside improving student’s stress levels, concentration, and intrinsic motivation. Tree cover is strongly linked to student’s academic performance and classroom engagement across all subjects.

The Miyawaki Forest program not only provides students with a unique, hands-on learning environment, but also bring so many cognitive development benefits for a holistic learning experience for all students at the school.

Teaching sustainable living

In addition to the Miyawaki Forest and the composting system, Poseidon Primary School incorporate teachings about the environment and sustainability into their curriculum in many ways.

“Sustainable practice has been alive and growing at Poseidon Primary School. What started many years ago as one teacher’s passion, has now grown into numerous environmental projects and initiatives that complement our student’s learning,” explains Associate Principal, Erin Ibister.

The school has a Sustainability Team which overlooks the students’ Worm Farm. ‘Worm wizz’ and worm castings are used around the school’s gardens and sold to the local community. The school also has chickens, and their eggs are sold to the community to recoup feeding costs. Year 6 students run a recycling containers program, where students place their recyclable containers into specially labelled bins at the end of recess and lunch.

The dedicated Sustainability Team are also keen gardeners who plant new trees and shrubs a few times a year, donated by local politicians and businesses in the community.

Poseidon Primary School students with, from left to right, Melissa Guy (Poseidon Primary School Principal), Emily Hamilton (MLA for Joondalup), Louise Tarrier (CEO of Carbon Positive Australia and Dr Grey Coupland (Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University).

These great initiatives from our schools teach students the importance of living waste-free and sustainable lifestyles to protect our precious environment and prepare them for climate change.

Further reading and resources:

Subscribe to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter to stay updated about environmental news, stories, and events.

Community, kindness and sustainability

The Facebook group Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and Surrounds was established in 2018 by passionate community member and Kingsley local, Sharon Pengelly. The group has since grown to over 1,600 like-minded community members from across the City of Joondalup suburbs, where the local community share ideas about sustainable living, gardening, recycling and all things environmental!

Building an online community

Sharon has always been passionate about learning and sharing ideas with others, especially about the environment and sustainable living. When she established the Facebook group, her aim was to create a discussion forum for like-minded community members to share ideas and discuss sustainability in a positive, constructive way.

When Sharon started the group, her goal was to have a small group of people who could help with basic guidance regarding sustainable living. Sharon said she would have been happy with just 50 community members, but it has now grown to a community of over 1,600 members from all over the Northern suburbs, and some members are even from overseas.

“It’s wonderful to see so many people wanting to join and see what our community is about. Hopefully, joining our group inspires them to recreate something similar in their own local community,” says Sharon.

Sharon Pengelly, Kingsley local, started the ‘Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and surrounds’ Facebook group in 2018.

Sharon has always wanted to leave a light environmental footprint on the planet. She is a self-identified “mad keen gardener” with a beautiful vegetable garden (pictured below) to show for it. Sharon has attended courses in sustainable living, such as the Earth Carers course led by Peg Davies, where she learned about protecting the environment through reducing, reusing and recycling waste. She also attended a Sustainable Living course held by Kath Moller of Duncraig Edible Garden, which focused on regenerative living, community, environment, gardening and household. Sharon shares her knowledge within her Facebook group.

Sharon enjoys spending her time growing a lot of her own quality produce in her backyard.

Sharon’s Facebook group grew fast, and it wasn’t long before Liz Bennett began helping Sharon manage and ‘admin’ the group. Like Sharon, Liz is an avid gardener and could be entirely self-sufficient with her fruit and vegetable production. Liz also attended the Greenwood Sustainable Living course. Together with the other group members, they have all made the group the wonderful community that it is today.

Grow Free Carts

Liz established the Greenwood Grow Free cart in 2022. Grow Free Carts provides a central place for the community to swap and share excess homegrown produce, preserves, cuttings, potted edible plants, and other items related to sustainable gardening. Community members can do direct swaps or leave something they are gifting. Sharon’s Facebook group allows Liz and other community members to post what is on offer so that nothing goes to waste!

Liz and her Grow Free Cart. The cart was painted by local indigenous artist JJ Lane.

Community, kindness, and Sustainability

‘Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and surrounds’ is an inclusive online space to discuss sustainable living. The group ranges from beginner community members to experts and community groups who have a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of experience to support anyone on their sustainable journey.

The group has held and supported several workshops for its members, such as a Worm Farming workshop, Clothes Swaps, Waste facility tours, and an ‘All you need to know about growing citrus and edibles’ workshop. Sharon and Liz are excited for the year ahead, with the 2024 event calendar being full of amazing activities and workshops for the group. Future workshops for group members include cheese making, sourdough bread making, gardening, shopping without plastic and more!

Sharon with Debbie and Kevin from the Worm Shed.

Many friendships have been formed through the ‘Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds’ Facebook group, and for Sharon that is the most rewarding part of it all. The community’s like-mindedness and aspirations for wanting to do their bit for the planet demonstrate this group’s wonderful asset to the community.

The page regularly receives positive comments from group members, such as “you do a great job of connecting us throughout the year and inspiring us” and “this is such a happy, inclusive, informative and uplifting page,” which makes all her amazing work coordinating the group worth it.

Group members have the opportunity to participate in a range of sustainable living workshops, such as Clothes Swaps by Jessica Bennison.

The group enjoys supporting local community groups and sustainable businesses through its Facebook page. Some of the fantastic local groups and businesses that have helped this group are:

Staying connected during COVID-19

During COVID-19, lockdowns and isolation requirements meant that the group was an invaluable asset for keeping the community connected. Not only was the group a social outlet for those in isolation, but it helped grow community spirit and connection. Many individuals made themselves available to others who needed help running errands, dropping off produce or even shopping for strangers who needed a helping hand. While for some communities, COVID-19 resulted in unfortunate community breakdown, Sharon’s virtual group helped people maintain connections to the local community.

Sharon’s six sustainability suggestions

Join Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds and become part of Sharon’s sustainable community. Here are some of her suggestions to help get you started on your journey.

1. Reduce waste

Following the waste hierarchy of avoiding waste, reducing your waste, reusing what you can’t reduce, and recycling as a last resort is the most basic way you can make a difference at home and lessen your impact on the environment.

Reducing waste should be your priority. Check the packaging that comes with your supermarket purchases, select the cardboard packaging option, and BYO your own containers and produce bags to lessen your impact on the environment.

2. Reuse and repurpose waste

When reducing waste is not possible, reuse and repurpose what you have. Take your old containers and produce bags to your local shop, use the old coffee jar as a storage container, and find other creative ways to reuse or repurpose your waste. You can also repurpose your waste by joining your local ‘Buy Nothing’ group on Facebook to pay it forward or find something you need rather than purchasing new.

3. Recycle waste

Where waste can’t be reduced, reused or repurposed, as a last resort, try to recycle. Check out what can be recycled in your yellow lid recycling bin, and check out your local recycling hub for materials that can’t go in your bin. Marion Green’s St Nic’s Recycling Hub collects and recycles some items that can’t go directly into your yellow lid bin! You can also recycle waste by placing any food scraps or garden waste into a compost or worm farm at home.

4. Grow into gardening

Plant your own little patch of paradise and try your shot at gardening. Whether you use raised beds or create a container garden to grow your own produce or transform your garden into a biodiverse paradise full of native plants, each small change has a huge impact. Creating your very own ecosystem in your backyard is incredibly rewarding, and you will be supporting local wildlife!

5. Lifestyle choices

Living sustainably is a lifestyle. Start small, and you will eventually change your habits over time, and each new habit will eventually make a large impact. Trying to do too much at once will set you up to fail. There is an abundance of people in Sharon’s group who are ready to help you get started. Before you know it, you will be reducing your very own environmental footprint in your community and helping others get started, too.

6. Join the sustainable community

Come and join the community, bring an open mind and a bucket full of kindness. From little things, big things will grow.

Members of the Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds group at a Waste facility tour.

As we move into a future where we need to reduce our environmental impact, we all need to focus our journey towards a more regenerative lifestyle in our community, environment, garden, workplace and household. Sustainable living practices are necessary to meet our needs without compromising a healthy planet for future generations and our natural environment.

Other tips and resources:

Subscribe to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter to stay updated about environmental news, stories, and events. Sign up for the eNewsletter – City of Joondalup.

Kath Moller of Duncraig Edible Garden

Kath Moller has been involved in the Duncraig Edible Garden (DEG) since 2013, just after the Duncraig Library forecourt site was offered to the group by the City to start a community food garden.

Growing the community

Since starting in the group, Kath has been a workshop presenter, preserves maker, committee member and treasurer. Kath loves seeing other people realise that they can make a difference and grow things, no matter the size of the space. Seeing people get to meet and join in with a community that gathers around gardening also brings Kath a lot of joy.

What’s happening in the garden?

February is the hottest time of the year and during the Noongar season of Bunuru, Kath and the DEG volunteers are concentrating on keeping the perennial plants alive, by watering deeply and protecting the soil and not planting new annual plants until the weather cools.

On Saturday 11 February from 9.00am – 11.00am you can join DEG for a Chooks in the City workshop to learn a few things about having chooks in your garden.

Kath commemorating QEII speech

Kath’s summer tips for growing food at home:

  • Food can be grown in very small spaces such as window sills or balconies, or on a larger scale in the spaces at the edge of a courtyard.
  • If you have a larger space, you could replace your lawn with fruit and vegetables to provide a wealth of food in the area, using about the same amount of water that the lawn used, but you can eat the results.
  • Planting things together that have similar water needs is a good strategy.
  • Plants are less stressed by the heat if their roots are sheltered by mulch-covered soil that keeps the root zone cooler and reduces evaporation from the soil as well as helping the soil microbes to survive. Looking after the soil microbes means that they can transfer the nutrients to the roots of the plants, and the plants grow much better.
  • Water during the cool of the morning to prevent water loss through evaporation.It’s much better for the person doing the watering and for the plants.
  • Wicking or self-watering pots are good for growing salad vegetables in summer.
  • Whether planted in the ground or in pots, covering soil with mulch helps to reduce evaporation.

Get involved

Kath encourages fellow City residents to come and garden with the DEG group and help create a space where food and the community can grow sustainably together. DEG volunteers meet every fortnight on alternate Saturday mornings between 9.00am – 12.00pm, on opposite weeks to the Poynter Farmers Markets, in the garden located at the forecourt of the Duncraig Library, cnr Warwick Road and Marmion Avenue, Duncraig.

For more information, visit the Duncraig Edible Garden website.

Community Gardens

Community gardens bring many benefits such as enhanced social connections, education around sustainable practices and edible produce. Community gardens can create a sense of belonging and be very rewarding for people of all ages. The City takes a Community Development approach to community gardens and helps facilitate community gardens to be self-managed in a sustainable way by the community. It is not anticipated the City take an active role in establishing gardens directly or provide funding for the establishment or operations of gardens.

Community Gardens must be managed by an incorporated, not-for-profit community group and the community group must be sufficiently resourced and prepared to fund and manage the governance, membership, finances, insurances and operations of the Community Garden.

Should you wish to start a community garden please contact the Community Development Team on 9400 4226 or via email to discuss your idea.

Grow It Local Program

Grow It Local is a digital platform that encourages individuals to register their ‘patch’ then share produce, socially connect, share ideas and inspire one another to grow produce using sustainable practices. Residents can also share knowledge, skills, space, produce, seeds and seedlings, compost, food waste and more.

Grow It Local is community-led and enabled through technology by connecting local people that have time, space and skills with those that don’t. For example, connecting an experienced grower with a young family to mentor them on their growing journey.

Grow It Local is for everyone, including local growers, community gardeners and food lovers. It is also for composters and anyone with food waste such as local businesses and schools, as well as sustainability enthusiasts and community advocates. Grow It Local is suitable for both ‘givers’, such as contributors who want to share their home-grown produce or gardening tips, as well as ‘receivers’ who want to connect locally and benefit from advice, friendship or locally grown food.

For further information visit the Grow It Local portal.