WestSeed: Local Sustainable Action of Global Importance
It would be impossible to overestimate the effect of our environment and climate on our health and happiness because we are not separate from, but an intrinsic part of these systems.
No. 9 in the WestSeed blog series is about the Environment and Climate (Sustainable Development Goals # 6, 12-15).
While we may try to pretend that the world’s climate and ecosystems (or ‘natural’ world) are separate from our manufactured societies and systems; the truth is that there is no division. Our present and future are precariously balanced on the health of the planet and all its interdependent, interrelated, and interacting components. The Conversation explains this is their blog: Humanity and nature are not separate we must see them as one to fix the climate crisis.
As we all know, our planet has reached a crisis point in relation to humanity's effect on accelerating climate change, environmental degradation, and the ultimate calamitous effect this is likely to have on future generations. Everyone should read IPCCs post on Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying. It’s enough to make you want to bury your head in the sand (or the doona) and pretend it is all too hard...or even that it is not happening at all.
But there's hope!
There are dozens of WestSeed groups who have taken it upon themselves to channel natural feelings of overwhelm, negativity and fear into what is actually needed, environmental engagement, advocacy, and action. They have come together as grassroots groups to support and empower each other to take care of our natural environment at a local (and therefore global) level…
You can get involved in all manner of activities in Melbourne’s West to:
Grow indigenous plants that naturally belong in your area in your own garden
Get support sustainably growing your own food
Improve the health of local bushlands and river catchments by bringing them back to their natural state
Recycle and repair tools and objects that otherwise would go to landfill
Have a look at which group you can become a part of and channel any feeling of helplessness you may have about the state of our natural world into something productive and meaningful.
Wyndham Wildlife Gardens began in 2018 stemming from the Habitat Heroes program run at Wyndham Council. They are supported by Nature West which is a not-for-profit association for individuals, groups and organisations that share an environmental vision for the wider Werribee catchment. The Wildlife Gardens are a group of Wyndham residents using locally native (Australian) plants in their gardens to create a garden for wildlife to help protect local plants and animals.
Phone: 0408 057 330
Email: wyndhamwg@gmail.com
Werribee Community Garden Project
Communal Gardens provide a great opportunity to grow fresh fruit and vegetables at a low cost, to provide a forum for discussions on good sustainability practices, and to meet and socialise with other members of our wonderful garden community. The WECP garden is located in the heart of Werribee adjacent to the Mambourin Sensory gardens in Walls Street, Werribee.
Phone: 0409 252 872
Email: info@wecpark.com
Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley
Since 1986, the Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley have worked to improve the amenity of the Maribyrnong River Valley in Western Melbourne.
As the name implies, the organisation strongly endeavours to not only maintain the amenity of the Maribyrnong River Valley, but to seek constant improvement to the river and its immediate surroundings. We follow sound environmental methods on all projects which are achieved by thousands of volunteer hours.
Phone: 9367 2562
Email: info@fmvonline.com
Friends of Organ Pipes National Park
The Friends of Organ Pipes National Park date back to 1972 when the park was proclaimed, solely due to its unique geological features. The group began a bold (at the time) attempt to restore the land to (as near as possible) its pre-European settlement condition. It is the oldest "Friends" group in Australia and will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in October 2022.
Organ Pipes National Park covers an area of 85 ha, 32 km north-west of Melbourne. Not that long ago, areas of the park were patches of weeds, rabbits and farm rubbish. Its transformation into a showpiece of restoration has been achieved by a remarkably dedicated bunch of people and it is truly amazing that it should have reached such a stage, in a comparatively short time. This is a tribute to the pioneers and to those who have followed them in maintaining the effort to repair the damage and preserve some fragment of what the Keilor Plains and its valleys used to be until 170 years ago.
Phone: 0401 493 176
The Moonee Valley Repair Cafe offers a free meeting place where you can bring broken items to their skilled volunteers to repair together. It's all about repairing things together! You’ll find tools and materials as well as the expert volunteers to help you make any repairs you need; on clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, and toys.
Phone: 0413 627 194
Sharing Shed - Ascot Vale
Sharing Shed Melbourne is a not-for-profit, community run library of things. Members pay an annual membership fee to borrow a range of donated goods; from lawnmowers to camping gear.
We seek to promote a more engaged, active, and resourceful community by empowering community users and partner organisations with low-cost access to a wide range of useful goods, skills, and related knowledge.
The Migrant Hub Inc - WynTREE Nursery Co-operative
WynTREE is a social enterprise and tree farm that will create employment opportunities to grow trees and plants to supply local councils, VicRoads and landscaping and housing businesses. It also aims to promotes active citizenship and social cohesion by providing opportunities for asylum seekers and migrants to participate in local community activities.
Phone: 0422452019
Email: wv@tpg.com.au
NatureWest is not one group, but an amalgamation of past groups and a network of groups concerned about our natural environment. Nature West is a not-for-profit association for individuals, groups and organisations that share an environmental vision for the wider Werribee catchment.
Phone: 0401 645 468
Email: volunteer@naturewest.org.au
The organisations listed above are part of WestSeed 1.0.
Visit out WestSeed page or read the WestSeed blogs to get inspired by the wonderful organisations in Melbourne’s west.