IndigiGrow paves the way to increasing Biodiversity with a Weekend for the whole family
IndigiGrow is launching its “Caring for Country” program next Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 August at its nursery at La Perouse Public School. This exciting initiative is focused on increasing biodiversity by making native plants more accessible to everyone through wholesale pricing enabling the broader public to work alongside IndigiGrow to increase biodiversity by planting natives.
“By making native plants more accessible & affordable whilst educating the wider community on the benefits of planting natives means communities work with us to speed up the process of increasing biodiversity and push towards a sustainable environment”, explains Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions, the not-for-profit community organisation behind IndigiGrow.
“Plants are connectors, and they connect all of us regardless of age, background and gender”.
The launch of the “Caring for Country” program, IndigiGrow will commence on Saturday 17 August with an official Welcome to Country at 9.40am followed by the official opening by Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek;a hands-on educational Native Plant Workshop for Kids. Planet Ark will also be there to share information and give away merchandise.
On Sunday there will also be a Native Plant Talk and a second Native plant workshop for children. All will be held at IndigiGrow’s La Perouse nursery on the grounds of La Perouse Primary School, Corner of Bunnerong Rd & Yarra Rd, Phillip Bay, at 10am – 3pm each day.
“Using local critically endangered native plant species as the vehicle, First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation is dedicated to achieving positive social change through IndigiGrow by engaging, employing and connecting young local Aboriginal people to country”, while undertaking 4 year apprenticeships in horticulture,”Peter said.
“IndigiGrow’s young staff are driving positive change for our biodiversity and environment and we want to bring you all on our journey so make sure you come along to our launch weekend and grab a few plants and talk to our staff who are only too happy to share their knowledge,”says Peter.
“With Australia’s biodiversity in decline and facing significant challenges, opportunities to connect more people with native species provides a valuable way for everyone to take part in conservation and play a vital role in supporting threatened plant and animal species,” contributes Rebecca Gilling, CEO of Planet Ark.
IndigiGrow focuses on reviving Sydney’s oldest plant community “Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub” (ESBS), which is currently listed as critically endangered by State & Federal Governments because there is only 3% of ESBS remaining on Sydney’s coastline between the Royal National Park in the south & North Head on Sydney Harbour. ESBS is Sydney’s original coastal vegetation which once spread over 5300 hectares prior to European arrival but is now on the verge of extinction with land clearing being the major contributing factor.
IndigiGrow also propagates and grows many other native plants including native edible species.
Peter goes on to share, “We are making gardening more affordable particularly for our older generations, considering the current cost of living issues in our communities. Gardening is a great physical and social activity for health & well-being and gives the community an opportunity to help improve the environment”.
The wholesale prices will be across all the native potted plants and there will be an exclusive “Edible Native plant in Ceramic Pot” section on offer as a pilot project to reduce plastic pots used in the horticultural industry.
Program
Saturday 17th August
9.40am – Welcome to Country, Aunty Barb Simms
– IndigiGrow CEO, Peter Cooley: Introduction to “Caring for Country”
– Planet Ark CEO, Rebecca Gilling
– Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlewaite
9.55am – Official launch by Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek
10am – Nursery opens
1pm – Free Kids propagating workshop (Pigface Plant)
3pm – Nursery closes
Sunday 18th August
10am – Nursery opens
11am – Free Kids propagating workshop (Pigface Plant)
1pm – Free Native Plant Talk, Discovering native plants & edibles with IndigiGrow CEO, Peter Cooley
3pm – Nursery closes
Where : IndigiGrow Nursery
(Corner of Yarra Rd & Bunnerong Rd)
Entrance in Yarra Road
Phillip Bay, NSW
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Media Images HERE
Credit: IndigiGrow @indigigrow
For further information contact Sarah Martin on 0499 152 599
About IndigiGrow
Now in its 7th year, IndigiGrow is a native plant project of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation. It has two nurseries at La Perouse Public School and Matraville Sports High School. IndigiGrow also has an online shop at indigigrow.com.au.
The foundations of IndigiGrow are about increasing biodiversity, increasing jobs, building strong & resilient Indigenous communities and sustainable environments.
IndigiGrow specialises in the propagation, growing and reviving of Australian native plants and bushfoods, especially species from the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS).
It aims to empower, educate and engage Indigenous youth in culture, and connection to Country and teaches them how to care for Country, helping them make positive choices for the future.
From its humble beginnings, IndigiGrow has blossomed from two employees to seven full-time local Aboriginal staff and two casuals. The team facilitates volunteering and education sessions for corporates, garden clubs, schools and other groups. Over 7 years, IndigiGrow has grown hundreds of thousands of native plants, delivered hundreds of community education sessions, developed over 30 partnerships with local organisations and businesses, and provided meaningful and culturally safe employment for Indigenous people.
IndigiGrow also educates the broader community about the benefits of growing local endangered plant species and how people can help restore the ESBS community by nurturing native plants in their gardens and yards.
IndigiGrow is currently working with a women’s group at Jarrah house, and Long Bay Jail.
IndigiGrow has grown in recent years and now has two native plant nurseries that produce thousands of plants each year, which has enabled the project to scale and now offer wholesale plants to the public. By doing so IndigiGrow can now take significant steps in increasing local biodiversity.
About First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation
A social enterprise and charity started 12 years ago by Peter Cooley and Sarah Martin, First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation works to build resilient Indigenous people, communities and businesses by promoting culture, employment and economic development opportunities for First Nations people.
In its time, First Hand Solutions has not only established IndigiGrow but has also created positive economic opportunities for Indigenous artists, craftspeople, designers and small business owners through the National Indigenous Art Fair, held every July at Circular Quay and the the Blak Markets, taking place at Bare Island, La Perouse and The Rocks as well as in regional NSW.
The organisation is based at La Perouse, Sydney on Bidjigal Country.