Mudgee District Environment Group
On July 29, humanity will have used nature’s resource budget for the entire year, according to Global Footprint Network, an international sustainability organization that has pioneered the Ecological Footprint. The Ecological Footprint adds up all of people’s competing demands for biologically productive areas – food, timber, fibres, carbon sequestration, and accommodation of infrastructure. […]
Maybe there are two seasons in your life: footy and cricket? There is definitely the ‘season to be jolly’ when we exchange gifts and enjoy time with family and friends! Travelling to the top end requires careful planning according to the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons. Is it logical to divide […]
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) is the only organisation of medical professionals in Australia solely focused on promoting good health through care of the environment. The organisation says that our forests and native vegetation like grasslands, wetlands and woodlands are vital to our well-being. They provide a wide range […]
Watching small birds in your garden is a delight. You might catch sight of the red flashes as small red-browed finches dart through bushes, or hear female wrens chattering amongst themselves about the wonderful blue coloured male showing off. These are some of the delights you experience when you have […]
We enjoy a terrific range of food in Australia! Here in Mudgee we can be served a delicious variety of dishes at our choice of restaurant or cafe. Our markets and supermarkets provide us with an astonishing assortment of ingredients and condiments. Yum! Did you know that choice is likely […]
Flying foxes are intelligent and remarkable. These unique animals help regenerate our forests and keep ecosystems healthy through pollination and seed dispersal. Many other species of plants and animals rely upon them for their survival and wellbeing. Flying foxes, like bees, help drive biodiversity, and faced with the threat of […]
Australia’s fruit bats (aka flying foxes) are doing it tough. Some species have declined by 95% in the last century — with further decline predicted. These sensitive animals are particularly susceptible to heat, and unforgiving Aussie summers have led to mass-deaths of fruit bats. Here are five great reasons why we should […]
A kiss under the mistletoe is a Christmas tradition. However, the benefits of this parasitic plant extend well beyond just encouraging human romance! Recent study of the ecology and interactions of Australia’s 90 native species of this little sucker reveal a positive effect on diversity and ecosystem health. Dr David […]
Many animals and birds have highly refined survival systems thanks to the way they co-operate socially. Techniques vary from very specific roles for various members of the group, to ‘all hands-on-deck’ to raise the young of the species or to protect the group (or colony) from predators. Think about a […]
Next time you accidentally stand on a line of foraging meat ants, take a moment after you have jumped, slapped and scratched to consider how helpful they are!…yes, really! Our Aussie meat ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus) don’t live anywhere else on the planet, and they do us a great service. Likewise […]