EarthChat

Save Our Strathbogie Forest S25 Ep3

Bertram Lobert, president of the Community Group, ‘Save Our Strathbogie Forest’ (SOSF), joins Nelly and Ruth on EarthChat Tuesday to tell us about their conservation efforts to improve the management of the Strathbogie Forest. A recent campaign with the Victorian Government successfully advocated for a halt to native forest logging in 2019.In 2024, in a legal case brought by Save Our Strathbogie Forest against the State of Victoria/Dept. of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Federal Court ruled that the evidence before the court was insufficient to argue that the four proposed planned burns were likely to significantly impact the nationally threatened Southern Greater Glider who’s survival is completely dependent on access to hollow-bearing trees.Despite this disappointment, there was an upside in the process, the court found that planned burns for fuel reduction are not exempt from the EPBC Act, as the Victorian Government has insisted for the last 25 years. This in itself is a ‘big deal’. Later in August, the full bench (three Justices) of the Federal Court, at Appeal, strengthened this finding.Bert sincerely believes that adopting the First Nations’ ethos of ‘healing country’ with a strong bioregional context is an integral part of our collective human response to several of the planetary crises we face, namely climate change, the sixth extinction, freshwater use and land system change. SOSF consults with the Taungurung Land and Waters’ Council in their efforts to strive for policy and actions that better protect the forest’s natural values.Join us to hear how he and the SOSF overcome the challenges inherent in convincing those ‘in power’ to rethink their approach to forest management to ensure critical habitat is protected not only so the many species who depend on them can thrive, but how they in turn can reciprocally fulfill their role of contributing to the overall health of the forest.Bert is a post graduate in zoology, geography and ecology from Monash University, and his current projects involve threatened species conservation, ground-water monitoring, wetland conservation, nature communication and forest management. His greatest love is having the time to simply be out in the field to collect data.

Violet Coco the Activist S25, Ep2

You may not know the name Violet Coco, but you would have seen her on the news, arrested for protesting in different places, all to highlight the precarious state of our planet. Violet is a passionate environment and social justice activist. She has been arrested 49 times in 6 years as a non-violent, direct action, change maker. She recently spent two months in prison and is facing court again on February 7th.She was the first person sentenced under controversial new anti-protest laws in NSW, receiving a sentence of 18 months in prison for blocking the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a campaign which was supporting firefighters. Her sentence was dropped on appeal. Violet describes herself as a conscientious objector to the murder of our planet. Violet is an eloquent and gracious conversationalist and someone who has great wisdom to share.  
Information on Violet:- Patreon, Wilipedia and The Guardian
Some links of interest mentioned in the show:- Song: People's Uprising by James Brook ft Violet Coco (on Bandcamp)
- Some books and other resources: 
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet and Peace is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh
We can’t get There from Here: Carbon, Climate and the Call to Wonder, with Báyò Akómoláfé and Paul Hawken 
Any book by Joanna Macy

The Wonderful World of Whales S25 Ep1

A new year, a new podcast!On Earth Chat this week, Peter, Marie chats with Simon Millar who is the captain of a whale-watching boat that operates out of Eden, NSW.They discuss the very interesting  and well documented history of the interactions between Indigenous people and whales in the fairly recent past. We will also cover the return of humpback whales since the ban on whale slaughter, their fascinating migrations and the looming environmental threats facing them with global warming and ocean acidification. There are many threats to their habitat and their food sources. We will also discuss their interactions with the other creatures in the habitat.Read more about Simon's Whale Watching Tours here.\
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2024 - The Year in Review S24, Ep 48

It's been a big year! Lots has happened; some good but not everything has contributed to making our planetary home a just and sustainable place to live. On this EarthChat, Tim and Peter pull apart the year, separate out the good, the bad and the ugly and find some music to reflect the diversity of the EarthChat radio show over the last year.What have been your highlights? Which EarthChat episodes have struck a chord with you? Where did you find hope, inspiration or community? Did you develop any practical skills that have helped you have a positive impact on your world? What music, books and events have inspired you and how will you take that positive energy into the New Year. Send us your thoughts before or during the program. Tune in, we are looking forward to your company.

Communications in First Nations community development, S24, Ep47

It's not Christmas week without EarthChat and this week before Christmas Peter Lockyer chats with Dr Jamie Mapelson about his work.Community radio for remote communities has developed as a valuable service for information, be they events, health conversations, community business. In a world where First Nations are ever challenged by the all pervasive media of global empires, the local content has an even greater place going forward. But is it just a young person’s medium?Dr Jamie Mapleson has spent 15 years working in Arnhem Land working with Yolngu, and he joins EarthChat on Christmas eve with Peter Lockyer. We discuss radio, and the role of a western skilled health practitioner in empowering remote communities on understanding government services and health challenges.
 

Back to basics explaining climate change S24 Ep45

This week Marie Gerrard and Peter Lockyer  will be interviewing Patricia Armstrong from ESRAG, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group. This program was originally planned to go to air in November but had to be delayed. We are so glad it can now be broadcast.We will take a look at the basic reasons why and how we campaign for a safe future for all, for humans and all living beings. What are greenhouse gases and why are they so important? We will also look at the role of the wonder molecule of nature, Chlorophyll and the work it does in in sequestering Carbon Dioxide. We will also discuss what the path forward can be and the urgency of taking  effective action. Find out more about ESRAG here.

Why Treaty will benefit all of us in Victoria S24 Ep46

Ruth. Emma and Phil continue their conversation about the impacts of colonization in Australia. On Tuesday's program they will focus on why Treaty in Victoria will ultimately benefit everyone who lives in this State.The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the State Government have formerly declared that negotiations can now begin to create a Treaty for the State of Victoria, Australia. Non indigenous residents as well as indigenous residents will gain from agreeing to a Treaty. How?  By supporting indigenous Victorians having self determination it will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can choose how best to meet and manage their social, cultural and economic needs so they too can have autonomy to live their best lives.Self determination for all means we are free to be the authority in our own affairs and live in accordance with our own values and beliefs. We all need the ability to decide what we want to do with our lives and to have the freedom to act on that decision. We can then develop a sense of personal empowerment and freely achieve our chosen goals. Living alongside the oldest living culture in the world offers profound richness to our ‘western’ lives, along with unique and exciting opportunities for collaboration and innovative partnerships.‘Two Way Knowledge’ or ‘Two Way Learning’ means we mix the best of western and indigenous knowledge and bring together the differences in our our two cultures to meet and interface in all aspects of society. The results? Barriers are broken down and together we create cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity. Combining our knowledge and skills means everyone has what they need to thrive.We will illustrate examples of the increasing number of exciting partnerships that have formed and are forming as a result of our two cultures coming together.And we will name the obstacles that are still getting in the way of such creative innovation and well being. What’s needed to overcome and heal the trauma of the past, and to heal the longstanding division and fear that was sorely exposed by the recent referendum?The Truth Telling facilitated by The Yoorrook Justice Commission is helping us learn about and embrace our true history. It reveals much about who we are, how we got here, and where we go if we are good Treaty partners and treat each other and our planet well. The discomfort that we may feel is an invitation to listen, to learn, to understand, and to honour the wisdom of Australia’s indigenous peoples, one that respects people and the planet.You too can join a weekend of Self-Reflection Conversations on Structural Racism, Privilege, Decolonization and Allyship on February 1& 2, 2025, at Commonground, Seymour, Victoria. Enquiries: emma@common-ground.org.au

An Efficient Electric Home - safe, cheap & reduces emissions, S24 Ep44

Tim Forcey has written a handbook that shows why, and how you can shift your home to being all electric. Good for your health, and your pocket, and good for the planet. On EarthChat this week, Tim shares his story and delivers a compelling case to go “all electric” and “get off gas”.  It is cheaper, healthier, and smarter.In this week's EarthChat, Peter and Tim chat with Tim Forcey about his life story, his work helping people make their houses more efficient and the huge benefits which come from going all-electric. It's easier than you think!Want to read a bit more about his work? Read about Tim Forcey here, buy his book here or join the My Efficient Electric Home Facebook Group here.

Why Indigenous Knowledge Matters

This week Tim Budge and Ruth Yeatman chat with the Joshua Waters about Indigenous Knowledge.Joshua is a First Nations K/Gamilaroi man, PhD student and Senior Research Fellow with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University. His work explores the critical role of Indigenous Knowledges in global higher education and institutional contexts.He is also a core member of Deakin University's Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Lab and a Director of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Collective (IKSC) where he supports a number of regional, national and international partnerships and research projects aimed at utilising Indigenous knowledges and complexity for global systems innovation and change.On EarthChat, we explore the meaning and significance of Indigenous knowledge and how it can throw light on some of the big questions we are facing as a society. Joshua will talk about how he lives and work with both Indigenous and Western knowledge, particularly his University study. We will also try to get a sense of how environmentalism and climate action can learn from Indigenous knowledge and how we can respect and support it in our work for the environment.Want to listen to the music Joshua suggested? Listen here for Roger Knox and here for Loren RyanWant to read a bit more about Josh's work? Look here, here and here.
 

Euroa Arboretum - Growing Back the Bush for over 30 years!

Euroa Arboretum workers, Bronte Haines, Charlotte Langman, and Nelly Watson join Ruth Yeatman to talk about the wonderful conservation work of the ‘Arb’, its many offerings, and why they love working in this truly beautiful natural environment.Spanning 27 hectares, the Euroa Arboretum offers a unique experience to spend time in the natural environment of northeastern Victoria. Working with traditional owners, from the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, the ‘Arb’ is restoring the natural environment to ensure it is preserved for future generations.Established in 1990 the Euroa Arboretum has become a beloved destination for visitors wanting an outdoor experience as well as being a leading service provider of ecological restoration supplies and information. Originally the depot site for the freeway work to by-pass Euroa, the land was handed over by VicRoads to the local community. A volunteer Committee of Management transformed it to a beautiful park of woodland and wetland environments, walking tracks, picnic areas and an indigenous plant nursery.From 2000, with the help of Natural Heritage Trust funding, the ‘Arb’ established the on-site Seed Orchard to provide an accessible and sustainable source of indigenous seed for regional revegetation. From then on the ‘Arb’ has generated income from plant and seed sales, growing approximately 60,000 indigenous seedlings per year including providing seed to the Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seed Bank at Dookie which, in 2019, moved across to the Arboretum where it is now run from.In the ensuing 24 years, the ‘Arb’ expanded its many Conservation initiatives offering a myriad of wonderful innovative services including environmental education, running field days and workshops to promote awareness of and research into local habitat protection and restoration activities; a bush kinder; lovely walking trails; actively managed grasslands; a bush crew you can hire; and, you can even go canoeing and fish (with a licence) for Rainbow Trout!. The ‘Arts’ are also included with beautiful steel sculpture panels produced by local artists. So far, 98 bird species have been sighted. Birders, see if you can add to this list! There’s so much more to be found at this very special and thriving Arboretum. Check out these ‘highlights’ : https://euroaarboretum.com.au/highlights/ On sale are a wide variety of native plants for purchase at very reasonable prices so you too can provide food and habitat for birds and insects in your garden.Volunteering is also possible at the ‘Arb’:                                                                              https://euroaarboretum.com.au/volunteer-at-the-euroa-arboretum/