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Guest blogger Christina Carter  Christina Carter is the Founder and Creator of Gumnut Trails adventure guides for exploring wild Melbourne. She recognises the important role that time in nature plays in increasing happiness, health, creativity and resilience in children’s development, providing them with important memories that will stick. She believes Melbourne is bursting with amazing nature spots that are perfect for parents with children to explore. You just need to know where to look... ‘It’s also true, that the more time children spend in nature when they’re young, the more they remember and care about our environment when they grow up. Let’s face it - our planet needs all the support it can get.’ (Quote from the Gumnut Trails website) Photography Tian Murphy The book launch begins  Have you ever wondered what a pardalote, a Spotted-tailed Quoll, a Brown Snake or even a Red Fox really has to say…?  Sophie Small, Bellarine Landcare's facilitator & MC for the night On Wednesday June 12th, 100 Landcare enthusiasts gathered to watch a play about wildlife and launch the second edition of Stephen Murphy’s book – ‘Recreating the Country,’ were about to find out. As the audience were taking their seats; the western wall of Tuckerberry Hill’s café was lit by inspiring drone footage of Marcus Hill vineyard’s biorich plantation – an example of the design principles of Recreating the Country in action. Amazingly, this plantation of 7000 trees was planted single-handedly by one of the owners Margot, over just three years. It is now 14 years old. Here is 1 minute of highlights of the drone footage. Enjoy the birdsong; The opening act - the wildlife play The animals finally speak Gather round and listen to the stories of the creatures living here, though the spirit speaks through them they are uneasy as they've learnt to live in fear, but today they are with friends who have come to listen and to learn….” (Opening lines from the play: The Spirit of the Bellarine) As the ancient whisperings of wind through Drooping Sheoak faded, the Spirit of the Bellarine told a story of a past time when the landscape was cared for by the Beangala clan of the Wadawurrung people.  The Spirit of the Bellarine Peninsula invited us to slow down and listen to nature's song Slowly the 11 animals emerged one by one to share their stories amongst the audience. But what did they have to say...? Each animals’ unique personalities and stories were expertly played by the drama students from the Bellarine Secondary College. The original play was written by Stephen Murphy (our resident author) to give voice to the local wildlife we all care so deeply about. Please click on the images below to enlarge and read the captions:
The main act - the book launch Recreating the Country. Second edition - 14 years in the making  Stephen Murphy After an introduction by Beth Ross, Stephen spoke about his passion for the environment and how the seed for his book was first sown in 2007 - when he spoke at a seminar run by Ballarat Region Treegrowers. It was Gib Wettenhall, the group’s president, an author and journalist, who suggested that Stephen’s ideas on sustainable design was a book waiting to be written - and he was 100% right! Stephen spoke about how Gib became his editor and mentor as he researched and wrote the first edition published in 2009. It was inspiring to hear about the real impact the book has had over the past 14 years. Many of the six case studies shared on the night highlighted how Stephen’s blueprint has led to thriving plantations that are self-sustaining and naturally regenerative. In contrast, we also heard about how many farm plantations sadly die out over a couple of generations due to poor design and management - often leading to more problems and expense for the landowners. Stephen is keen for people to ‘plant and connect’ with their new plantations, which he emphasised is good for their mental health as well as the natural environment. The plantation that Margot planted at the winery was highlighted as a local case study. In 14 years she established an 80m wide wildlife corridor, bringing back many local bird species, mammals and insects. Indigenous grasses are now returning naturally in what looks like a natural open woodland that has been there forever.  Thank you to Bellarine Landcare and everyone who helped to make this book launch a resounding success The Ballarat Region Treegrowers also planted a 20ha demonstration site at Lal Lal, Victoria. It now supports annual tours by Melbourne University and Deakin University students who are keen to learn about sustainable biorich design. They are excited by the prospect of biodiversity plantings providing a good income to the landowner while supporting the recovery of local wildlife. Recreating the Country is a book with generational impact If you would like to learn how to design and plant sustainable landscapes that will last for centuries - and make our land healthier and more productive. 'Recreating the Country. Ten key principles for designing sustainable landscapes' is an essential read for anyone who wants to know how to restore landscapes that will grow and evolve as nature intended. Closing credits - A big thank you to everyone involved  Beth Ross Thank you to Lachie Forbes, Bursaria Ecological, who filmed and arranged the drone footage, and ornithologist Glen White, for providing the morning birdsong accompanying the drone’s ‘kestrel flight.’ Thank you to Beth Ross for introducing Stephen and giving his background story, and Bernie Malone, Bellarine Landcare Group's President, for his closing remarks. Thank you to the talented drama students of Bellarine Secondary College; Alisa (Spirit of the Bellarine), Lily (Spotted Quoll & Antechinus), Pipa (Bandicoot), Macy (Sugar Glider), Rico (Spotter Pardalote & Bluetongue Skink), Isaac (Brown Snake), Roxy (Echidna & Ichneumon Wasp) and Wren (Red Fox & Platypus), for your beguiling performances. Thank you also to their supportive teacher Cassia Webster. A final big thank you to Chris and David at Tuckerberry Hill for providing their wonderful café venue and helping to make the night a success. It’s appropriate the ‘Spirit of the Bellarine Peninsula’ has the final word;  ‘The spirit of the peninsula sent out a plea to the new people who lived around, come and listen to the singing that was once such a beautiful sound, the stillness you seek can be discovered in the beauty of this place. Stop and listen to the spirit and take timeout from the rat-race, observe in nature what is needed to restore good health to this special space.’
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'RECREATING the COUNTRY'
Ten key principles for designing sustainable landscapes Second edition Updated & expanded Click on the image below to read more 
Stephen Murphy is an author and ecologist. He has worked as a nurseryman and designer of natural landscapes for over 30 years. He loves the bush, actively supporting Landcare and conservation initiatives throughout Australia
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