Author: Jessica

Misc

Permaculture Partners featured in the final episode of The…

  • by Jessica

Permaculture Partners featured in the final episode of The Sustainable Hour for 2025!: In this final episode for the year The Sustainable Hour team brings together three defining threads of our time: the danger of climate misinformation, the deepening global inequality crisis, and the quiet, practical power of community-led education and solutions. Tap the link to hear about co-designing solutions with teams in Africa including ABCCI school, Elijah Astute’s GoGreen (mushroom growing) and Ruth Akinyi’s permaulture-led school enterprise, getting kids through high school and beyond.

Misc

Which publishing pathway should I take?

  • by Jessica

Which publishing pathway should I take?

Deciding whether to self‑publish or pursue a traditional publisher is one of the hardest choices writers face, and the “right” answer can change over time. I know my answer to this question has changed over the last 25 years. Both paths are viable; what matters most is doing your homework, being realistic about your marketing capacity, and investing in professional editing, whichever route you choose.​

More and more authors are turning to self‑publishing because it gives them greater control over how their book is created, packaged, and marketed, and over who they collaborate with along the way. On the other hand, successful self‑publishing usually demands a solid grasp of marketing and a willingness to self‑promote—two areas where many passionate writers struggle once the drafting is done.

Traditional publishing can offer editorial support, distribution reach, and brand recognition, but it is highly competitive and slower, and you still need to be prepared to market your own work. Whichever path you choose, one non‑negotiable is quality editing.

Below are some of my go‑to resources for understanding the different publishing paths, the stages of editing, and the realities of marketing. The key takeaway: do your research before committing to any one route!

There’s no simple answer to which publishing path you should take. Much depends on your need for expert guidance, your writing ability, and your ability to write to a book that fits neatly into a publisher’s ‘list’, your resources, and your love of, or issue with, self-promotion. Much depends also on how much control you seek to keep over your creation. Whatever path you take, go in with your eyes wide open. Choose a path that sits well with you and your needs, and don’t, whatever you do, get caught up in a vanity exercise. Vanity publishing can be very costly, and hurt, if not destroy, your long-term chances at writing success.

Above all else, do not be in a rush to reach the elusive goal of ‘publishing’. Writing is a journey through self-understanding, and the creation of a skill. It’s not an end goal in itself.

*Photo by Kevin Woblick on Unsplash

Microgreens Misc

Grow Your Own Microgreens

  • by Jessica

Grow Your Own Microgreens

Microgreens are nutrient-packed young greens that can be grown easily at home, even on a windowsill or kitchen bench. They offer a fast, low-cost way to add vitamins and flavour to your diet.

Growing Medium

Use a sterile, moisture-retentive medium like coconut coir, seed-raising mix, or organic potting soil. I like to use Milkwood’s best Ever Seed Raising Mix: 2 parts coir and compost, 1part sand, 1 part worm castings. Avoid regular garden soil, as it may introduce pests or diseases.

Recycled Containers

Plenty of recycled containers can be used—just ensure they are food-safe and clean, with drainage holes:

  • Takeaway food containers
  • Plastic salad boxes
  • Clamshell packaging
  • Old baking trays
  • Yoghurt tubs (with holes added)

Best Seeds to Grow

Choose seeds known for reliable microgreen crops (just ensure you’re picking the right seeds for your season):

  • Peas
  • Radish
  • Mustard greens
  • Broccoli
  • Sunflower
  • Buckwheat
  • Mung beans

Nutritional Benefits

Microgreens often have 3–40 times higher vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant levels than mature greens. They’re rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and essential vitamins (A, C, E, some Bs).

Advantages of Growing Microgreens

  • Ready to harvest in 7–14 days
  • Require little space or equipment
  • Provide concentrated nutrition
  • Add flavour and colour to food
  • Reduce grocery costs and plastic waste

Best Places to Grow Them

Ideal spots include sunny windowsills, kitchen benches, or any warm, well-lit indoor space. Outdoors in a sheltered spot also works, but avoid locations exposed to harsh weather.

Step-by-Step (Milkwood Method)

  1. Soak seeds (optional for some types) overnight
  2. Fill container with moist growing medium
  3. Sow seeds thickly and evenly
  4. Mist with water; cover with a lid or damp paper until sprouted
  5. Place in a bright spot when shoots appear
  6. Harvest with scissors after first set of true leaves form

Common Mistakes

  • Overwatering or underwatering—keep medium just moist
  • Using non-sterile soil
  • Not providing enough light for strong growth
  • Overcrowding seeds or failing to cover seeds for germination
  • Poor airflow, leading to mould growth

Growing microgreens is simple, rewarding, and accessible—bringing fresh nutrition into your home in under two weeks.

Explore this topic in more detail

Milkwood’s free downloadable guide and videos: https://www.milkwood.net/sprouts-microgreens-guide/

Milkwood’s HOW TO: Grow Sprouts and Microgreens, right on your kitchen bench: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPJRtJZLFO8

Milkwood’s microgreens in garden beds: https://www.milkwood.net/2015/11/02/growing-super-microgreens-in-garden-beds/

Common mistakes: https://onthegrow.net/blogs/news/microgreen-growing-mistakes-how-to-avoid

A guide for engineers (or people who like step-by-step photo instructions): https://extension.psu.edu/a-step-by-step-guide-for-growing-microgreens-at-home/

A comprehensive guide to growing from start to finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtvuMNVLISo

Nutrients and health benefits: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9864543/; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772566921000057

Fantastic written guide to different types of microgreens, germination times, care, soils etc https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/microgreens/the-ultimate-microgreen-cheat-sheet

Mistakes to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNvYjh0O5Zc

To soak or not to soak?: https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/blog/Should-You-Soak-Your-Seeds-Before-Sowing

Photo by JustPhotof Garden apartment & Video on Unsplash Permaculture

Waterwise and Shade Tolerant Herbs, Flowers and Trees for…

  • by Jessica

If you’re living in an Australian apartment with small part-shade courtyards, don’t despair. These waterwise herbs, flowers, and trees offer edible fruits or leaves and suit border plantings–and can be perfect for your space.

Waterwise Edible Herbs

  • Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides): Native, shade-tolerant, edible cooked leaves.
  • Mint, parsley, coriander, chervil, and lemon balm: All handle part-shade and have culinary uses.
  • Comfrey and chicory: Edible leaves, tough in dry conditions, with both culinary and medicinal value.

Edible Flowers for Borders

  • Borage: Star-shaped blue flowers, edible and highly drought-tolerant.
  • Calendula (English marigold): Edible petals and can handle part-shade spots.
  • Native Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens): Succulent, waterwise, edible fruits and flowers.
  • Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea): Edible seeds and berries, drought-tolerant, decorative strappy leaves.

Waterwise Edible Trees or Shrubs

  • Midyim Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis): Part-shade-loving shrub, edible berries like mild blueberries.
  • Dwarf Fig (Ficus carica): Adaptable to part-shade, drought-tolerant and compact for apartments.
  • Feijoa/Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana): Waterwise, edible fruit, can be grown as a hedge.
  • Strawberry Guava (Psidium cattleianum): Low-maintenance, hardy, edible berries.

Other Notables for Raised Beds

  • Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis): Edible tubers, large leaves, suitable for dappled shade.
  • Ginger: edible tubers.
  • Turmeric: edible tubers.

Tips for Success

  • Mix varieties for year-round interest and resilience to dry spells.
  • Select compact or dwarf varieties for tight spaces or pots.
  • Mulch well and adjust watering for part-shaded, moisture-retaining sites.

By planting these waterwise, edible options, it’s possible to support both beauty and harvest in small, shaded borders of Australian apartment complexes. *Note that my suggestions work best in a temperate environment.

Editing

What to prepare before briefing an editor

  • by Jessica

What to prepare before briefing an editor

When you want to engage me – or any editor – to provide editing services, it’s important to provide a sample of your writing work, and a synopsis. This helps the editor gauge a few details about you as a writer, and provide a more accurate estimate of the time and work involved, and most importantly, the cost.

Guidelines for Submitting Writing Samples

It’s important to submit samples that showcase your skills and writing abilities, as they are now. Not the polished, best examples of your writing, but the average examples that show your level of expertise at this moment. If you’re a new writer and need extra help, that is important to me. Similarly, if you’re experienced and simply need some spit and polish, that’s important too. Below are guidelines on the type of writing sample to include:

  1. Significance: Submit a chapter or a significant scene.
  2. Length: Typically, a sample should be long enough to demonstrate your writing style but concise enough to keep the process efficient. Aim for a few pages or around 1000 to 2000 words.
  3. Style and Tone: Include passages that showcase your unique voice and tone. This could be humorous, serious, or any other tone relevant to your work. If your tone changes, provide a chapter that represents the most dominant tone in your book.
  4. Grammar and Mechanics: It’s okay to have errors in your sample text, I am an editor after all and can help you in that area. Ensure that your sample is generally representative of your writing. If you struggle with grammar, I want you to leave those grammatical mistakes in the text. This allows me to focus on the amount of work I need to put in to help you reach a good standard.

What I Look for in a Writing Sample

When reviewing your writing sample, I focus on several key elements:

  • Narrative Structure: How well is the story organised? Are transitions smooth, and does the narrative flow logically?
  • Character Development: If applicable, how well-developed are the characters? Are they believable and engaging?
  • Dialogue: If included, is the dialogue natural and effective in advancing the plot or revealing character traits?
  • Style and Voice: Does your writing have a distinct voice or style that engages the reader?
  • Pacing: Is the pace well-balanced, keeping the reader interested without feeling rushed or slow?
  • Clarity and Conciseness: Are your ideas clearly expressed, and is the language concise without being overly simplistic?
  • Emotional Resonance: Does your writing evoke emotions or create a connection with the reader?

By following these guidelines and ensuring your sample includes these key elements, I’ll get a fairly good representative view of your writing abilities. This will enable me to offer a view of the path ahead and the services needed. If you’ve mentioned you need a certain type of edit, but if I feel you need other services, I will detail those in the estimate.

Synopsis – or Story Snapshot

It’s also important to provide a synopsis of your story. A synopsis provides me with an outline – or brief snapshot – of your story. At a minimum, ensure you include:

  • Beginning
  • Key characters, and their introductions
  • Themes
  • Crucial moments that occur within the text
  • Turning points
  • Ending

One page is more than sufficient. This can be provided in bullet points, or even in an Excel spreadsheet, outlining key beats in your story. Here’s an example you can copy and adapt if you’d like to provide more detail on the current structure:

BeatDescriptionPercentage
1. Opening ImageIntroduces the protagonist and their world.1%
2. Theme StatedHints at the story’s central theme.5%
3. SetupExplores hero’s flawed status quo, introduces supporting characters.1-10%
4. CatalystInciting incident that disrupts the hero’s world.10%
5. DebateHero wrestles with the decision to act on the catalyst.10-20%
6. Break into Act 2Hero commits to the adventure or new situation.20%
7. B StoryIntroduction of a subplot, often involving a relationship.22%
8. Fun and GamesHero explores new world, facing challenges and small victories.20-50%
9. MidpointSignificant event that raises stakes and shifts hero’s perspective.50%
10. Bad Guys Close InAntagonistic forces intensify, putting pressure on the hero.50-75%
11. All Is LostHero experiences a major setback or low point.75%
12. Dark Night of the SoulHero grapples with hopelessness, finds renewed motivation.75-80%
13. Break into Act 3Hero discovers a solution, commits to the final push.80%
14. FinaleHero confronts main conflict, applies what they’ve learned.80-99%
15. Final ImageClosing scene contrasting with the opening image, showing hero’s transformation.99-100%

This table format makes it easier to visualise the structure and key elements of your story. Your story may not have all these elements, that’s ok! This is just an example of a typical 3-Act structure. Feel free to adjust, delete, and add any elements based on your narrative.

Word Count

Ensure you include a word count as the manuscript currently stands. If you plan to expand the word count before the manuscript is edited, let me know.

Next Steps

If I am able to accommodate your deadlines and feel you are ready for editorial intervention, I’ll provide an estimate, listing services and their costs. If you only want structural editing, I can simply provide that cost, and then list future services that may be needed, as a guideline.

If you need advice on the publishing road ahead, please also let me know. I am happy to include guidelines in any report I produce.

Meetings are charged on an as-needed basis.

I may have up to five estimates out for tender at any one time, so I operate on a first-to-accept-a-quote basis. Some authors take months to decide whether to go ahead with editing services, so please do let me know as soon as you have decided whether to go ahead. This helps me plan the months ahead.

I very much appreciate timely responses to estimates.

*Photo by Hümâ H. Yardım on Unsplash.

Chicken with her favourite food in sight, native violets Poetry

The trouble with chickens

  • by Jessica

The trouble with chickens

A giant storm threatens

In the distance

Rumbles like waves on an angry beach

Thunder strikes

The dog barks

her anxiety unleashed

The chickens cower

I cuddle the canine

But the chickens lower to the ground

I cannot reach them

Human hands mean

Plucking to the air

Unfair restrictions

Awkward touch on feather

Do they feel

An unknown goddess

Thrashes the skies?

Do they feel

An eagle

Big as their dreams

Beats its wings

Over the heavens

Signalling their demise?

I cannot talk sense to them

Cannot say

This is storm

Infinite design of heaven

Sent by the mistress

They flail wildly

This way and that

Under the coop

Through the dust bath area, under stairs

Into their playpen

Filled with uneaten food

the angry goddess thunders

the skies

I cannot tell them

This will pass

Cannot hold them to me

Cannot reason

With unhinged chickens

Another bolt kisses ground

Booms the earth

The dog barks ballistic

The chickens in their

Screech and clamour

Forget to breathe

They squat

As if this giant

Will come and collect them

Obliterate them

And their feathery dream

Of unlimited grains, and greens galore

They cannot

Wipe the slate of the past

To understand this greater goddess

governess of the skies

She unleashes her Being

on the dry Desperate earth

Energising soils like Frankenstein

Only Greater

Across earth

No single monsters for her

Hers is a canvas worth the painting

First she splatters fat drops

Dust plashing

Then rivulets

First blase

Meandering the surface

Finding the cracks

Then

with growing confidence

Water pelts

more insistent

bathing caked soil

insisting

every edge

is filled

brimming

They cannot understand

She is the harbinger of life.

The chickens

Blind with terror cower

Unhinged to the miracle

Of an earth renewed

Permaculture

A permaculture approach to the future of forestry

  • by Jessica

A permaculture approach to the future of forestry

To the Independent Forestry Panel,

Re: Response to the Independent Forestry Panel’s call for stakeholder feedback on the Forestry Industry Action Plan by the NSW Government.

As a permaculture designer, sustainability facilitator, and former board and team member of several non-profit humanitarian and environmental organisations in Australia, I am writing in response to your call for submissions for the sustainability of forestry operations in New South Wales.

Permaculture is a systems thinking approach which can be applied to farming, forestry, gardening, and to much broader contexts of workplaces, work-life balance and beyond. Its principles provide guidelines to create not only sustainable systems, but resilient, holistic approaches to community management of resources. Hence it can easily and readily be adapted to a holistic approach to forestry.

First we need to acknowledge the value of trees, particularly old-growth forests.

Old-growth forests hold immense value for both ecology and human subsistence, particularly in the context of climate change. It should be noted from the outset, that the wholesale clearing of old-growth forests for the following reasons must be banned, not only in this state, but throughout Australia.

In regards to their ecological value, old-growth forests provide or contribute to:

  • critical habitats for a wide range of species, including many that are endangered. The complex structure of these forests—characterised by multiple canopy layers, large trees, and decaying wood—supports diverse flora and fauna.[1]
  • carbon sequestration. These forests are significant carbon sinks, capable of sequestering large amounts of atmospheric CO₂. They continue to absorb carbon throughout their lifespan, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.[2] Disturbing old-growth forests can release stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate issues.[3]
  • soil formation and health by retaining more carbon and nitrogen than younger forests. This retention is crucial for maintaining nutrient cycles and supporting plant growth.[4]
  • unique microclimates that help moderate temperatures and humidity levels, benefiting both the forest ecosystem and surrounding areas.[5]
  • maintaining clean water supplies by regulating water cycles and filtering pollutants through their complex root systems.[6]

How much old-growth forest is left in New South Wales?

Troublingly, fewer than 10% of old-growth forests in the state are left due to extensive clearing and disturbances from logging, grazing, and other human activities.[7]

According to the DEC website: ‘Old-Growth Forests are considered rare across the landscape. Their protection is very important to the maintenance of biodiversity.’[8]

DEC Website

The value of forests in any context, are closely tied to human subsistence. Forestry NSW is no doubt aware of their uses and significance in terms of:

  • timber, medicinal plants, and food sources like mushrooms and berries. We would like to emphasise here that the sustainable harvesting of these resources can support local economies. ‘Sustainable’ means that they must be done in a way that preserves ecological integrity.[9]
  • cultural value for many communities, including First Nations peoples who have historically relied on these ecosystems for sustenance and spiritual practices. Their preservation is crucial for maintaining cultural heritage.[10]
  • recreation and tourism, which can generate economic benefits while fostering a connection between people and nature. The aesthetic beauty of old-growth forests also contributes to mental well-being and community identity.[11]

Climate change mitigation is the greatest argument for the preservation of old-growth forests in that it speaks to the future of generations to come, and indeed, life on this planet. Every government (whether local, state or federal), organisation, and individual must approach mitigation with utmost seriousness.

Protecting old-growth forests is essential for climate adaptation strategies as they enhance ecosystem resilience. Their complex structures can buffer against extreme weather events, helping both flora and fauna survive and adapt to changing conditions.[12]

An important note about carbon credits. The protection of old-growth forests can play a role in carbon trading markets, providing financial incentives while contributing to global carbon reduction goals. Logging and thinning practices at an industrial scale (as opposed to a community or individual level) for carbon credits risks releasing more carbon than it saves, especially in relation to old-growth forests, undermining climate benefits.[13]

Carbon Storage in Old Trees vs. New Trees

Old-Growth Forests[14]Young Forests[15]
highly effective at storing carbon due to their large biomassabsorb carbon at a faster rate due to rapid growth
can sequester approximately 950 million to 1.11 billion metric tons of carbon per year globallycan store between 1.17 and 1.66 billion metric tons of carbon per year
accumulate carbon over their long lifespans, sequestering more carbon than they emit, making them important carbon sinksthe total volume of carbon they can store is generally lower than that of mature forests because they have less biomass overall
a mature tree can store much more carbon over its lifetime compared to a young tree, which may take decades to reach a similar storage capacity[16] 
contribute to soil carbon storage, holding significant amounts of carbon[17]   
Carbon Storage in Old Trees vs. New Trees

The key distinction lies in the volume of carbon stored versus the rate of sequestration. Young forests may sequester carbon more rapidly, but old-growth forests hold much larger quantities due to their greater biomass and long-term accumulation capabilities.

In conclusion, while young trees contribute significantly to annual carbon uptake, old trees and forests are crucial for long-term carbon storage and ecological stability. Their protection is essential for effective climate change mitigation strategies.

Key Considerations

Let’s now look at a permaculture approach and how it can be applied to sustainable forestry.

When permaculturists design systems we look to long-term resilience. If parties wish to continue to profit from forestry it’s imperative that they advocate for forestry practices that enhance ecosystem resilience, ensuring forests can withstand climate change and other environmental stressors. If that is not prioritised, there will be no remaining forests from which to profit.

Value Trees

The first strategy is to minimise tree removal wherever possible. Part of the issue is the over-reliance on trees for products that simply do not need to be made from trees. For example toilet paper, packaging and fabric are often made from tree pulp. As an alternative, bamboo, flax, hemp and wheat straw have fibres that could be produced, with less deleterious effects on the environment.

In order to make this shift possible, forestry needs to have a plan to transition its workforce away from trees to more sustainable industries. I acknowledge this must first happen at a government level, removing subsidies.

Respect Traditional Land Management

Key to all considerations is that we must recognise and incorporate First Nations values in forest management practices, ensuring respect for traditional land management techniques. (See also Strategy 3: Prioritise soils.) Deep connection is key to a sustainable policy.

Diversity

If trees must be cut down, when we plan forestry operations, biodiversity must be a key factor. Promoting mixed-species plantations will enhance ecological stability and resilience against pests and diseases.

Monoculture plantations have faced significant challenges and failures due to their lack of biodiversity, which makes them vulnerable to pests, diseases, and environmental changes. Here are some notable examples:

Examples of Failures of Monoculture Plantings

  • Irish Potato Famine (1840s): The reliance on a single potato variety led to catastrophic crop failure when a water mould (Phytophthora infestans) devastated the crop. (Note this was not the only factor leading to the famine, but it was a significant one.)
  • Banana Industry Collapse (1950s–present day): The Gros Michel banana variety which dominated the global banana market until the 1950s was hit by Panama disease, caused by a soil-borne fungus (Fusarium oxysporum), thus wiping out plantations. The Cavendish variety, which now dominates, is now also facing similar threats from new strains of the same disease.
  • Eucalyptus Plantations in Australia and beyond: Monoculture eucalyptus plantations have led to reduced biodiversity and soil degradation. Significant ecological imbalances affect local wildlife and water resources, not to mention contributing to significant fire risks. The 2017 wildfires in Portugal, which resulted in 66 fatalities, were exacerbated by extensive eucalyptus monocultures.
  • Rubber Plantations in Southeast Asia: The expansion of rubber monocultures has led to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Studies show that these plantations often fail to support the diverse ecosystems that existed prior, resulting in a decline in species richness and habitat loss.

The impacts of monoculture plantations include:[18]

  • greater susceptibility to pest outbreaks because they lack natural predators that would be present in a biodiverse ecosystem. This often leads to increased pesticide use, which can harm non-target species and lead to further ecological imbalances.
  • the depletion of specific nutrients from the soil, leading to reduced fertility over time. This necessitates higher inputs of fertilisers and can ultimately result in soil exhaustion.
  • altered local hydrological cycles, leading to decreased water availability for surrounding ecosystems and communities.

Soil Health

We need to highlight the role of healthy soils in sustainable forestry. To do this we must look to original habitats for best practice examples. Healthy landscapes in Australia prior to colonisation had multiple layers of canopy, groundcovers, and abundant mycorrhizal networks. The systems were kept in balance for millennia by wildlife and First Nations people who cohabitated within the landscape, providing targeted harvesting ensuring future use and mosaic (or cool) burns for weed and plant management.

When planning for soil health we must engage communities that have a strong connection to the land, and its workings. We cannot supplant millennia of sensitive management with an industrial process. (The results of that are clear to see: since European settlement, human activities have led to significant soil degradation in Australia, including erosion, acidification, and salinisation.)

A connection to and expansion of Local Land Services Aboriginal Ranger Programs is key to re-connecting the land to soil health. Monoculture plantings, huge climate fuelled bushfires, and clear-felling of New South Wales forestry has led to the abundance of eucalyptus in the landscape, which has fed into the negative cycle of poor soil and wider ecological health and climate crisis. We must return to first principles: diversity is key.

Engaging farmers within the wider community on issues or soil health and management is crucial to the success of the forestry industry, as no ecology, including NSW forests, exists in a vacuum. Connecting farmers to already existing programs on soil health, including those run by Australian Organic Limited (formerly known as Biological Farmers of Australia) is crucial to wider systems health. Overfertilising, and spraying of pesticides common in NSW farming systems impacts the wider systems that relate to forestry, notably soils, air and water quality. Examples are abundant.

Regular monitoring programs and access to education (run by independent parties) for all industry participants and those in wider industries such as farming are crucial to the success of any soil management program.

Water Management

When it comes to plantations water conservation techniques, such as swales and rainwater harvesting can help maintain water quality and availability for wider forest ecosystems.

Keeping water in soils is the most efficient way to keep water on a site (as well as preserving the trees, which act as water pumps). To do so we must ensure our ancient soils have access to the diversity of life so abundant in complex healthy and traditionally-maintained ecologies.

Soils that have access to plentiful organic materials act like sponges. Clear-felling often removes not only trees but the organic materials on the forest floor essential to the protection of the soil and regeneration of the forest, and beyond that the continuation of the water cycle which is crucial to the healthy and balanced continuation of the ecology.

Community Involvement

Engage local communities in forestry management decisions, thereby fostering a sense of stewardship and ensuring that local knowledge and needs are incorporated.

During the most recent and catastrophic bushfire season of 2019–2020 permaculture communities were instrumental in disaster planning, but also mitigation within their own communities.

If these and wider communities are consulted prior to such disastrous situations, their approaches to management will aid in the dissemination of local expert knowledge, and can thus bring a flexible and thoughtful response to forestry management.

Community approaches to forestry management

Tony Rinaudo, known as The Forest Maker, has been teaching communities to sustainably manage forests for over two decades. He pioneered a system called Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, which is a “low-cost land restoration technique used to combat poverty and hunger amongst poor subsistence farmers by increasing food and timber production and resilience to climate extremes”. This approach can work equally in New South Wales, as it can in Africa. In this approach locals become caretakers of forests around them, selectively pollarding and caring for trees, as per the needs of the community, prioritising the ecology to the benefit of all.

A Forest Investment Fund[19] has been trialed in various countries including Brazil and Mexico helping communities become invested in regenerating deforested and degraded land. This empowers communities to become stewards of the land, and provides them with yields, which leads to better more sustainable outcomes. If they exhaust that yield, the opportunities for the community end.

Integrate with Agriculture

Agroforestry systems where trees are integrated with crops or livestock, can provide multiple benefits such as improved biodiversity, soil health, and economic returns (if managed closely and sustainably). Again, education is key.

Regardless, any native or non-native plantation must be understood, integrated, planned for and managed within its wider context.

Key recommendations

1. Old-growth forests must be left intact, at least at the forestry industrial level.

2. Bequeath old-growth forests to communities to manage. These must not be managed by industrial processes for profit (or non-profit as the case may be when government subsidises these industries). Soil, air and water health must be top priorities. Monitor progress, health, and keep strict guidelines for harvesting and diversity.

3. Engage traditional land managers to oversee operations.

4. Run educational programs for stakeholders about sustainable forestry practices, permaculture principles, and organic farming. These will promote broader understanding and adoption of more sustainable practices. Ensure soil, air and water health are key among teachings.

5. Provide ongoing monitoring of forestry practices to assess their ecological impact, allowing for adaptive management strategies that respond to changing environmental conditions. This must be done by independent third parties on a regular basis.

6. Remove current forestry standards; they have overseen wholesale clearance of native forests to an extent never seen before in history. Replace current standards with an independent standard, established on sustainable baselines based on science. Governments must legislate that all industries linked to deforestation, go deforestation-free.

Prepared by Jessica Perini, (C) 2024 wwww.jessicaperini.com in response to the Independent Forestry Panel’s call for stakeholder feedback on the Forestry Industry Action Plan by the NSW Government, October 2024.

[1]  https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/; https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes10OldGrowthForests.pdf.

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/why-oldgrowth-forests.

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/.

[4] https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/why-oldgrowth-forests; https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/structure-composition/.

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/why-oldgrowth-forests.

[6] https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/; https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes10OldGrowthForests.pdf.

[7] https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes10OldGrowthForests.pdf.

[8] www.environment.nsw.gov.au.

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/why-oldgrowth-forests.

[10] https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/; https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes10OldGrowthForests.pdf.

[11] https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/why-oldgrowth-forests; https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/structure-composition.

[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/landholderNotes10OldGrowthForests.pdf.

[13] https://oldgrowthforestecology.org/ecological-values-of-old-growth-forests/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://iceds.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/industry-push-earn-carbon-credits-australia%E2%80%99s-native-forests-would-be-blow-nature.

[14] https://psmag.com/environment/young-trees-suck-up-more-carbon-than-old-ones/; https://ijw.org/wild-carbon-storage-in-old-forests/.

[15] https://psmag.com/environment/young-trees-suck-up-more-carbon-than-old-ones/; https://news.mongabay.com/2019/05/tall-and-old-or-dense-and-young-which-kind-of-forest-is-better-for-the-climate/.

[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/; https://ijw.org/wild-carbon-storage-in-old-forests.

[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8728480/

[18] https://foodrevolution.org/blog/monocropping-monoculture/; https://eos.com/blog/monoculture-farming/; https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-magazine/rise-and-fall-monoculture-farming; https://news.mongabay.com/2008/09/monoculture-tree-plantations-are-green-deserts-not-forests-say-activists/; https://www.savingbees.org/en/2023/03/21/why-monocultures-are-not-good-for-the-environnement/; https://www.gallantintl.com/blogs/environmental-impacts-of-monoculture; https://news.mongabay.com/2019/05/tall-and-old-or-dense-and-young-which-kind-of-forest-is-better-for-the-climate/; https://www.edo.org.au/2020/10/22/is-logging-in-nsw-after-the-fires-ecologically-sustainable-expert-reports-cast-further-doubt/.

[19] https://www.cif.org/sites/cif_enc/files/knowledge-documents/kn-fip-engaging_and_empowering_local_communities_in_sustainable_forest_management_0.pdf.

Permaculture

The power of diversity: together we’re stronger

  • by Jessica

The power of diversity: together we’re stronger

Almost two decades ago we started a project to build a garden with asylum seekers in Sydney. We had almost no money, a tiny space, and lots of shade. We, as organisers, didn’t have the skills we needed to construct our garden. Everything seemed stacked against us. But we had a lot of ideas and we had plentiful free materials, glass bottles available from nearby pubs and cafes that were just being thrown out. When we asked the asylum seekers and refugees if any of them had the skills we needed, they did. And together we worked to build our beautiful garden, for almost no investment, with lots of resourceful skilled people making it a reality. Together we came up with creative ideas for what to grow in shade and up walls and in the end, we had a beautiful safe space in which to sit and chat, grow a little food and just be. On the surface, it seemed like we didn’t have much. But when we really looked we saw we had an abundance of all that we needed, we just needed to be open to the possibilities. #valuediversity#valuethemarginal#permaculture

Permaculture

Must-have herbs in the garden

  • by Jessica

Must-have herbs in the garden

Last month we enjoyed trialling some heavenly herbals in the Permabee garden. These notes accompany that session.

These are my must-have herbs in the garden. Some are used as foods, dyes, to steep as a tea or as medicinals.

A word of caution:

Always exercise caution when using herbs for the first time. Just because they’re natural doesn’t mean they’re safe to either ingest or place on your skin. They may also interact with medicines, so please exercise care with herbals.

WebMD

Basils

Annual

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum used in cooking, pestos etc. The problem with this basil is that if you look sideways at it and it dies. Temperamental to grow. Must find the right microclimate and water appropriately. It will tell you if it’s unhappy.

Sweet basil can be temperamental to grow. For first time gardeners, I would recommend growing a perennial basil.
Sweet basil can be temperamental to grow. For first-time gardeners, I would recommend growing a perennial basil.

Perennials

  • Pepper basil, Ocimum selloi, this basil prefers part shade. In Brazil this plant is used to treat stomachaches and as an anti-inflammatory. Don’t grow this in full sun or the leaves will turn leathery and inedible.
  • Blue spice basil, Ocimum americanum, the most fragrant basil with a strong spicy flowery aroma with hints of vanilla; a delicious addition to any salad or dish. Drops a lot of seeds, so it’s very weedy. Often grown as an annual.
  • Ocimum basilicum, ‘Cinnamon’, spicy cinnamon and mint flavours. Perennial but often grown as an annual.
  • African blue basil, Hybrid of Ocimum kilimandscharicum (camphor basil) and Ocimum basilicum (dark opal). true perennial, will last for 5 or 6 years, will grow into a woody hedge. Very easy to take cuttings, and strike easily in water. Strong camphor undertones can be offputting in dishes. I make pesto with it, but I ensure I mix it with lots of other herbs. This one will not produce viable seed, so there’s no point saving seed. Will flower continuously all year around. Bees love it. Grows up to 45 cms x 45 cm. Cut back heavily and it will grow back beautifully bushy.
African basil has camphor tones that can upset a tummy
African blue basil has a camphor taste that can be unpalatable and cause tummy ache

Lemon Verbena

Verbena, Aloysia citrodora is a small bush/tree that will grow up to a metre and a half native to South America. Grown in full sun, this herb is used in lots of facial products and moisturisers for its beautiful lemony scent, but it is by far best used as a tea. Every winter when it drops all its leaves we give it a very big haircut, up to half the plant, and it comes back in spring beautifully bushy and lush. Great for fish/poultry, potpouri and liqueurs. Lemon verbena may cause herb-drug interactions – be careful with sedatives. You can also get lime verbena.

Lemon verbena
Lemon verbena makes a beautiful addition to teas

Take cuttings in spring from soft new growth, or you can also take some in summer where there’s a hard woody end, and soft tips, remove 75% of the lower leaves and place in soil, and keep moist. They can also be rooted in water.

Salvias

  • Your typical sage, Salvia officinalis, is often used in cooking and teas.
  • Salvia dorisiana – fruit salad salvias come from Central America and has large, fragrant, soft-green leaves and magenta-pink flowers both of which can be eaten, and the leaves are made into a tea, fruit punch, cold drinks. Tea has a soothing effect. Flowers in my garden most of the year, takes very easily from cuttings.
  • Salvia elegans – ‘Pineapple Sage’, native to Mexico and Guatemala has a pineapple flavour and beautiful red edible flowers. Used as a traditional medicine by Mexicans. Spring cuttings take root easily. Fruit salads, crushed leaves, ice teas, herb spreads. Not great in hot dishes as it can lose its flavour.
  • Pineapple sage has — as the name suggests — a pineapple scent
  • Fruit salad salvias have a distinctive hot pink flower
  • Marigold has many uses: used in companion planting and also great as a dyeing plant

Lavenders

  • French lavender — Lavandula dentata — will flower much earlier than the English, and much more prolifically in my experience. French is flowering now in Sydney and has a pine-like scent. French flower may have a top knot, called a bract, look like butterflies. More ornamental, and used for essential oils.
  • English lavender — Lavandula angustifolia — sometimes will take as long as mid-summer to flower. English lavenders produce the better oils. They do better in colder climates. English lavenders are good to cook with, aromatherapy, and ornamental. Used as calming effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects.
  • Giant lavender — Soft weeping flowers are tiny on my giant Allardi Lavandula × allardii, a cross between Lavandula dentata (French Lavender) and Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese Lavender) has the weepy flower heads, and the shorter flowering season. My Allardi has survived for years, while other lavenders have died out. Sweet, floral notes of French Lavender with the sharper, more camphor-like fragrance of Portuguese Lavender. Can make you sick if you steep it for too long. Soapy taste. Uses: potpourri, sachets, and sometimes in essential oil production.
  • Spanish lavender — Lavandula stoechas — blooms better in warmer climates. Ornamental, potpouri. Has distinctive rabbit ears.
Lavender is a fave
French lavender is a favourite among gardeners and can be found throughout the Permabee site

General Advice

If you’re not sure whether a particular lavender variety is edible, it’s best to stick to known culinary varieties like English Lavender. Always ensure that any lavender used in cooking is free from pesticides or other chemicals that may be harmful if ingested.

Lavender in “Four Thieves Vinegar”: One of the most famous uses of lavender during the plague was as an ingredient in “Four Thieves Vinegar,” a mixture of herbs and vinegar believed to protect against the plague. The legend says that a group of thieves used this concoction to avoid getting sick while robbing the homes of plague victims.

Herbs that deter mosquitoes

Here are some of the most effective ones:

  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Herbs that deter mites

  • Mint (Mentha spp.)
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)
  • Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
  • Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Disclaimer: I do not advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health uses. This information is intended for educational purposes only and does not consitute medical advice. Please consult your health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Ⓒ 2022 Jessica Perini • You may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
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