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Our Tree Day

July 29, 2012 @ 21:42 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ~ Martin Luther

Our tree day started at 10am this morning, when we arrived at the banks of Toolern Creek, that runs through our town.  

I was greeted by enthusiastic members of the Friends of Toolern Creek, who were ready and waiting with masses of tree, shrub and native grass seedlings.

The native flora that we were planting were a grass called Poa Labillardieri or Poa Lab for short.  It is indigenous to our region.  The trees were Yellow Gum.

As we were not veterains of tree planting, we opted to plant the grass.  Lyn, the President of the FOTC, got out the hole digger and got straight to work.

It was pretty easy work, just pop a seedling into each hole and backfill.  Each tray of grass held 100 seedlings.

Ben was simply amazing.  He was a grass planting machine, and I was very proud of him.  We worked really well as a team.  Even when Lyn had to duck away on the occasion, to sort out the other workers, Ben kept digging his own holes with his trowel and planted more grass.  He was really enjoying himself.

In the two and a half hours we worked, we rejuvenated a 20 x 20 metre square area of creek bank. In the end we had planted 600 Poa lab grasses, and the others put in about 20 yellow gum.

These are some of the seedlings that Ben and I were responsible for.  We felt really good.
I found a picture of what this native Tussock grass looks like when it is fully grown.  It is a good looking plant and its flowers attract native birds and butterflies.
Finally we walked down to the creek itself, which was flowing fast after the recent rains.  It is clean and healthy, thanks to the Friends of Toolern Creek and its many willing volunteers.
We had a great day, and will do it again next year.
Did anyone else plant a tree today?
-37.6934652144.5840263

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Filed Under: National Tree Day, Native wildlife

Native Echidna Caught on Camera

December 21, 2010 @ 08:40 By Gavin Webber 7 Comments

The WWF in conjunction with Greening Australia has set up motion sensors on cameras in Northam, WA, about 100km west of Perth.  Have a look at the video below to see what they have found.

From the WWF site;

“WWF staff have been using motion-triggered cameras (better known as camera traps) to capture images of a range of wildlife, including seldom-seen animals. The Healthy Bushland team has found that camera traps are creating new interest and passion amongst landholders, and are helping to show just how important it is to preserve these valuable remnants of bushland in WA’s wheatbelt.”

What fantastic animals!  I have only seen Echidnas in the zoo or at Healsville Sanctuary.  The video may only be 41 seconds, but it made an impact on me!

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Filed Under: Native wildlife

The Last Laugh

December 14, 2010 @ 22:04 By Gavin Webber 7 Comments

Today, during lunch I observed some unusual behaviour.  I went for my normal lunchtime walk, this time visiting a pond near the JFK Memorial within Treasury Gardens in Melbourne.  It is very nice as you can see below.  Note the bench seats that feature further down in the post.

Even though the park is not a naturally occurring environment, there are still plenty of wild birds that live there.  I noticed last week that a few native ducks had given birth to ducklings, and I was keen to check on their progress.  As I approached the pond, I quickly noticed the little ducklings and their mother basking in the sunshine on the stone edging of the pond.  I stopped about 2 metres (6″) away from them and just watched and began to enjoy their ducky antics.  A big smile formed on my face as about 20 small ducks that had just finished grazing on the lush grass in the park, made their way to the pond in a big group.  This group split like the Red Sea around my legs, oblivious to my presence, and proceed to jump into the pond looking for water bugs and the like.

Just as the last duck had jumped in, a Suit, sporting an iPod with music blaring, tried to rush past and would have stepped on the still dozing ducklings, if I hadn’t called out to him.  He jumped in fright probably because he was in his own little bubble, stopped, swore at me, then swore at the ducks!  What right did the ducks have to be in his way when he was obviously in such a rush to eat his lunch and get back to his mundane existence?  What a prat! Such an apathetic attitude grinds my gears.  No wonder the planet is in such a mess with his ilk around.

Anyway, iPod arrogant people aside, the ducks had the last laugh.  A splinter group of 3 of the small ducks formed off from the main group seeking more food.  Next to the pond were two bench seats made of wooden slats.  Some female humans were eating lunch and were talking loudly about general consumerism and crap they were going to buy for Christmas on their credit cards.  Perfect targets for ducky activists seeking a little payback for duck kind.  As these humans were so engrossed in themselves and indifferent about the environment about them, they never saw it coming.  Two of the small ducks waddled under the bench searching for spiders and other insects.  There must have been rich pickings because they started pecking at the bottom of the bench rapidly.  So rapidly in fact, that they both reached in-between the slats of the bench seat and pecked the two ladies simultaneously on their derrière.   The yelp and scream of terror could be heard across the gardens!  The splinter group scampered back into the pond for safety sake, and swam back to the main pack. 

As the screams from the unsuspecting victims died down, another loud raucous began.  It was me, pissing myself laughing at the spectacle.  The two ladies then stared daggers at me, as if it were my fault and stormed off in a huff.  Once my sides split and the ruckus died down a little, I took stock of the situation.  It suddenly struck me.  This was not just about ducks, but nature as a whole.  Our apathy towards it should be a cautionary one as it is more powerful than us.  The environment is not some abstract place out there somewhere.  We are a part of it, but most cannot see the forest for the trees, or in this case, the ducks.

I came to the sobering conclusion. 

“Nature always has the last laugh, irrespective of the actions humans take, or the indifference they give it.”

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Filed Under: Gaia, Native wildlife

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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