September marks the first month of Spring and wildflower season but did you know it is also National Biodiversity Month? We are donating 1% of sales to Carbon Positive Australia until September 30th , a charity that encourages everyone to make climate-healthy choices that go beyond being ‘carbon-neutral’ and provide additional benefits to the land. We chatted to Lauren of Carbon Positive to find out more about what they do for our beautiful environment.
So, what is Carbon Positive Australia? Tell us more about the charity and your role there.
Okay so welcome to the national charity that is Carbon Positive Australia, a powerhouse dedicated to preserving our beloved Australian landscapes through native tree planting projects. We’re busy on the ground with our hands in the soil planting native Australian trees to rejuvenate ecosystems. Not only that, we work with our amazing partners to boost Australian conservation and restoration, empower individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and build the capacity of tree planting projects.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to crafting the best possible conditions for nature’s restoration on a larger scale. As a grassroots organisation with a deep love for Australia’s native landscapes, our projects focus on addressing nature’s greatest need. We have over two decades of experience and our roots run deep in Australia’s ecological history.
At the end of the day, we are a charity that stays alive by forging connections with those that share our passion for Australia’s greener tomorrow. That’s where I come in as Communications and Partnerships Coordinator. I am responsible for getting the word out about what we do here through copy, blog writing, public relations, events and partnerships. A big part of my work is partnering with like-minded businesses such as yourselves to make a positive impact on the Australian environment. Collaborations like this one with Wandering Folk are a highlight of my job. It is so empowering to see the number of amazing Australian businesses that care deeply about restoring the country and educating their customers about the importance of our environment and biodiversity. Nothing is more powerful than people united by a shared vision—to heal the land, to educate, and to foster a profound connection with nature.
September is National Biodiversity Month- can you tell us a bit more about this and what it means exactly?
Biodiversity refers to all the variety of life forms on earth – the different plants, animals, micro-organisms and the ecosystems that are their homes.
Australia is an incredibly unique country, as we were isolated from outside influence for centuries. We have a spectacular wonderland of species found nowhere else on this Earth from our adorable hopping marsupials to magical underwater coral playgrounds. Not just an incredible spectacle, biodiversity requires a delicate balance for us all to thrive. We are all part of the ecosystem that creates the beautiful environment that we live in.
Biodiversity conservation is of significant importance to everyone, and particularly to Australia with its globally unique offering of flora and fauna. That’s where National Biodiversity Month comes in, which celebrates Australia’s stunning biodiversity. It’s a reminder that we too are part of this environment, and our actions ripple through the ecosystem.
Why is it so important to remind ourselves we are part of the ecosystem?
Biodiversity is essential, providing us with the building blocks for our survival such as food, wealth, fuel, and shelter. Nature literally supplies us with oxygen and clean water. At the end of the day its biodiversity that helps to keep our lives in balance and regulate the climate. Scarily, this rich diversity is being lost at a greatly accelerated rate because of human activities.
According to the 2014 Living Planet Report, our demand on the planet is more than 50 per cent greater than what nature can sustain, with dramatic declines in biodiversity since 1970. CSIRO research shows that by 2070, the impacts of climate change on Australia’s biodiversity will be widespread and extreme. We need to take action now to preserve this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.
What can we do to support our environment this September and into the future?
You can celebrate National Biodiversity Month by kicking off on the 1st September with National Wattle Day. Simply snap a picture of wattle and post on your story with the hashtag #connectingwithnature. I would say in my experience, the best way to care for nature is to get out into nature. Get down to your local beach or go for a hike. When you are in nature, you are one with nature. It is only when you spend time in nature that you can truly appreciate how important it is.There is a quote that is stuck to the wall in my office and it reads:
“The land does not belong to us. We belong to the land.”
I think that serves as a poignant reminder that we are here to give back to the land in whatever way we can.
You can also start by educating yourself on biodiversity in Australia. The Biodiversity Council of Australia provides some amazing resources.
Plant Trees with us. The link between biodiversity and trees cannot be understated. Trees are critical components of ecosystems, and their presence significantly influences biodiversity. Some of the key connections between biodiversity and trees include:
Habitat and shelter
Species richness
Food sources
Pollination
Soil microorganisms
Genetic diversity
Any other top tips for doing our bit? How do we get started?
There are so many ways to get started. As I mentioned educating yourself on the importance of biodiversity is really the key component to getting started, you could also look at supporting biodiversity friendly superannuation funds and donate to organisations that focus on threatened species and ecosystem advocacy. One tip I stand behind is supporting indigenous organisations as they have been caring for biodiversity and Country for over 60,000 years. Firesticks Alliance is a great example to check out. Lastly voting for political candidates based on their environmental policies is another way we can all make a difference as individuals.
What have you guys been up to recently, do you have any projects close to your heart you’d like to share?
Our planting season takes place in winter, so the team has been really busy on site. I recently spent two days with the team and an amazing crew of volunteers on Balardong Noongar Country in Western Australia where we planted 7,000 seedlings in just two days. My colleague Jess and our intern Liv are currently on site at Eurardy on Nanda Country in Western Australia this week. This site is located in one of only 36 global biodiversity hotspots and is home to more than 500 native plant species, including five nationally endangered or vulnerable species and forms a crucial ecological link between Kalbarri National Park and Toolong Nature Reserve. You can find out more about this project here.
How else can we support Carbon Positive?
You could look at your carbon footprint. We all have one! Knowing your carbon footprint can be the first step to understanding your impact on the environment and calculating your carbon footprint is an easy way to take action for the climate. You can get started here.
