9. Imagining better urban nature regeneration using micro forest plantings in the Toowoomba and Southeast Queensland regions by 2040

GUEST:  Elizabeth Addie, President of  Friends of the Escarpment Parks Inc.

In this episode we are going to focus on the exciting prospects for extending future Microforest plantings as one important element in repairing and restoring some of the huge damage done to native plant and animal species in this part of urban Australia, and in other urban settlements across the continent.

 And joining me in this imaginative exploration of microforests and their wonderful future regenerative potential for our region is my inspiring guest today, Elizabeth Addie, President of  Friends of the Escarpment Parks (FEP) based in the city of Toowoomba, S.E. Queensland, Australia.

Elizabeth has a professional background in applied psychology, guidance and counselling. She has also pursued a long term interest in natural environments which has developed into a passion for native plant and bushland protection.

FEP has a future vision that eventually all of Toowoomba’s bushland parks will be regenerated with local native plant species and be free of weeds. Within the last few years, and in alignment with that vision, Elizabeth and her FEP colleagues have championed the establishment of the first Microforest in Toowoomba and S. E. Queensland.

INTERVIEWTALKING POINT SEGMENTS FOR EACH GUEST  – time elapsed in minutes.

GENERIC INTRODUCTION – 0.00  GUEST FORESHADOW - 0.30   

EPISODE INTRODUCTION – 1.04       

GUEST INTRO TO WORK IN 2025 AND AHEAD – 6.45

HOW TO PLANT A MICROFOREST – 8.45    

IMAG EXER 1 - TIME TRAVEL TO 2040 - 11.15

IMAG EXER 2 - SIGNALS OF THE FUTURE IN 2025 – 19.23

IMAG EXER 3 – TAKING BOLD ACTIONS IN 2025 – 27.49 

GUEST CLOSING WORDS - 33.36  

HOST TAKEAWAYS – 36.24    

AUDIENCE INVITATION – 38.27 

END OF EPISODE – 40.55

RESOURCES - * due to space constraints please go to the show notes resource listing for Episode 10 to find links to examples of Australian and International Miyawaki forest projects

Prior to undertaking the microforest project, Elizabeth and her FEP colleague Bev Yates undertook research into how to create a microforest and investigated many examples. Links below are on “how to” and best practice examples.

Introductory talk by Shubhendu Sharma explaining the microforest concept.

Open Source video tutorials from Afforest - teaching the entire process of microforest creation

Handbook of Tiny Forest Planting Methods  -microforest creation focussed on the northern hemisphere.

Miyawaki in Australia (and see Ep 10)

The story of the microforest created by Friends of the Escarpment Parks in Toowoomba – local community group partnering with the broader community. Funded by grants.

INITIATIVES AND ORGANISATIONS - and also see Episode 10 show notes listings for more information.

Microforest creation has a unique place in regenerating lost and degraded ecosystems, within a broader scope of the environmental conservation of natural ecosystems and nature based solutions for urban areas. A key component of all of these endeavours is understanding ecosystems and creating habitat to promote biodiversity.

Community Bushcare regeneration groups play a vital part in this work identifying plants, sourcing seed, growing local species, removing invasive weeds, campaigning for bushland protection.

Community Bushcare groups:

 Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc (FEP) NFP orga