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Indigenous Gardening and Environmental Practices 2023 course

Indigenous Gardening and Environmental Practices Course 2023 - Term 4 Starts 12 October Thursdays

This course is designed as an introduction to indigenous gardening and environmental practices using Indigenous Plants. It includes elements of permaculture practices, interconnection with indigenous culture and environmental and sustainable practices.

The course will allow you through a range of practical activities and excursions to observe and engage with local plant and animal communities, encourage connection to country and to learn about locally available resources to assist in designing and implementing indigenous plants in your garden.

Course participants will be involved in some exciting excursions (*subject to availability and dates) including visits to Karwarra Australian Plant Garden and Nursery in Kalorama, Cranbourne Botanical Gardens, Aboriginal Heritage Walk – Royal Botanic Gardens (entry fee included), Milarri Garden Trail in Melbourne Museum (entry fee included), Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery at Birdsland (subject to availability). There will also be a range of presenters and opportunities to visit local gardens of past participants.

*The course is government funded under ACFE, available to Australian citizens and residents.
$90 full fee.  $50 concession

We have limited places to 12.

Overview of 8 week program Term 4 2023. (*Subject to change)

  • Thursday 12th October. Introduction. Welcome and course overview. Acknowledgement of Country. What does Indigenous mean? Gondwana to Today. Observation using all senses. Drawing exercise. What is a pattern? Patterns of Plants: structure and classification / Latin names. What gum tree is that?
  • Thursday 19th October. Drawing/Note taking exercise in the Selby House Indigenous Garden. Native plants and their uses: edible, medicinal et al. Taste testing. Recipes. Contrast with European plants and weeds. When does a plant become naturalised? Is conservation a good goal or can we think of a better one? Thinking in communities: Native plants and their significance to local wildlife: food, habitat, shade. Local ECVs and cool-temperate forest structure / layers. Strategies and resources for gardens that support local wildlife and vegetation.
  • Thursday 26th of October. Introduction to Permaculture and the relationship to indigenous gardening. Principles vs Prescriptions. Ethics. Garden Design process overview. Harnessing patterns of Soil, Sun, Wind, Fire, Water (sectors). Plant biomes. Microclimates. Plant selection strategies, focused on indigenous plants. Guest Speaker TBC A walk through Minak Reserve 
  • Thursday 2nd of November – Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, guided tour ($15 include in the course Fees). Picnic/BBQ.
  • Thursday 9th November *Subject to availability  – Visit to Southern Dandenongs Nursery  (*A presenter is subject to availability)
  • Thursday 16th of November – Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda and Karwarra Australian Garden. Lunch at Kalorama Post Office.
  • Thursday 23rd November –  Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Aboriginal Heritage Walk, guided tour (included in course fees).  Milarri Garden, Melbourne Museum (included in course fees), self-guided group walk.
  • Thursday 30th November –  Course Conclusion. Celebratory community lunch (everyone brings something to share). Review of excursions. Certificates. Planting.

We plan to offer pathways into an Indigenous Garden Design course in the future.

*Excursions are subject to availability (on the rare occasion we need to change, another excursion or visit will be offered)

To book please click the button below or call the office on 03 97542039

 
Book Here

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