by Laura | Sep 11, 2019 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Perth Ecojobs plants record-breaking number of seedlings in Yellagonga Regional Park, 30 minutes north of the CBD.
Reserve maintenance is always busy in Winter with planting jobs. But the one at Beenyup Swamp (Yellagonga Regional Park) saw a whopping 11,000 seedlings planted!
“It’s our biggest 1-day job to date, and we were all done by 1pm!” said Ecojobs Supervisor Ben Atkinson.
With Beenyup Swamp being the main source of nutrients entering Lake Joondalup, the newly planted sedges will strip nutrients and improve overall water quality.
This planting event is part of a 2 year DBCA (Dept of Biodiveristy Conservation and Attractions) project to rehabilitate the wetlands of Yellagonga – Lake Joondalup, Lake Goollelal, Beenyup Swamps and Walluburnup Swamp.
by Laura | Sep 9, 2019 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Perth manager Annabelle Newbury has retired. It’s big news for the Green Skills community, especially the Perth office which she managed for 21 years.
In her farewell to Green Skills, Annabelle said, “It’s been a delight to work in such an exceptional organisation which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. The impetus behind Green Skills formation in 1989 was to deal with the urgent issue of climate change. This is now more crucial than ever of course and makes the work we do matter a great deal.
“I have worked with so many wonderfully committed staff over the years, and particularly during my time as State Manager between 2007-2013, I got to know staff in all our offices very well.
“I wish you all the very best for the future and hope that each of you find joy and meaning in your work everyday and forge strong connections with the people who come into your lives.”
What a beautiful note to leave on, Annabelle. Thank you, it’s been an absolute pleasure and we also wish you much joy and connection in your next ventures. We will miss you!
by Laura | Jul 31, 2019 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
They’re becoming more common – “eco-disposable nappies”. Biodegradable, chlorine free, fragrance free, chemical free, cloth-like … the list goes on and the packaging is convincing.
But I’ve always wondered – are these claims true or is it greenwashing? Can these nappies truly be compostable?
To find out for yourself, look up company websites or nappy packaging – what % of their nappies is compostable? Figures range from 10% upwards.
This means, only a part of the nappies is compostable. They still contain plastic, as a minimum, in: the elastic in the leg cuffs, the tabs that fasten the nappy, and the backing of the tabs (that you rip off to fasten the nappy).
So, no nappy is 100% compostable.
Because of this, even compostable nappies belong in the waste-to-landfill (red lidded) bin.
“All nappies, even those that claim to be biodegradable or compostable need to go in the waste-to-landfill bin. At present, there is no known brand of compostable nappies that can completely break down in a commercial composting system. This is due to the plastic elements such as liners, tabs, and elastic that remain as residue after being processed. The plastic components equate to more than 10% which is above the acceptable contamination.” https://www.whichbin.sa.gov.au/a-z-items
With babies needing on average 5000 nappy changes from birth to toilet training, that’s 5000 disposable nappies in landfill. Or, just 24 modern cloth nappies. More info on that topic here.
by Basil | Jul 22, 2019 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Learning is Fun at the Denmark Community Garden
At the Denmark Community Garden workshop on Saturday 20th July, local garden expert, Neal Collins, shared his knowledge on how to grow fruit bearing trees and bushes.
Twelve people attended the event, held at the newly established Denmark Community Garden, which is a collaborative project between Green Skills and the Denmark CRC.
People interested in joining workshops and other activities at the Garden can register with Green Skills Denmark .. email at [email protected]
Neal Collins demonstrating helpful tips on how to plant a Mulberry at the Denmark Community Garden.
Preparing a range of bushes and herbs for planting at the Denmark Community Garden
The new Denmark Community Garden coordinated by Green Skills slowly taking shape
by Basil | Jul 22, 2019 | Green Skills Inc. - Sustainability Non-Profit
Monday 22nd July 2019
Volunteer University Students help plant out landcare sites
A team from Trinity Residential College at the UWA joined in a two day program of tree planting for habitat restoration on a farm near Cranbrook on the 18th and 19th July 2019.
The team of eight, led by College head, Mike Shearer, planted 6500 native trees and shrubs on two sites on the Williamson farm, north of Cranbrook. Trinity College had grown 4000 of these trees as part of their landcare effort.Other trees came through Katanning Landcare, Habitat Nursery in Denmark, and through North Stirling Pallinup NRM.
The team worked with Green Skills’ Basil Schur, and the Gillamii Centre’s Freyer Spencer, on the project. They were able to stay three nights in a spare homestead on the Walsh family farm.
Volunteer team of Uni students from Trinity College planting a habitat restoration site on the Williamson Farm, Cranbrook with Green Skills and Gillamii
Volunteer team of Uni students from Trinity College help clean up planting equipment after a day with Green Skills and Gillamii
Ian Walsh, Cranbrook farmer, speaking to Freya Spencer of Gillamii and some of the team from Trinity College, This tree planting project helps provide a valuable experience for city based uni students, several of whom from overseas. The Walsh family kindly hosted the team in one of their homesteads during the event.
For further information, contact Basil Schur at Denmark Greens Skills on [email protected]
