little footprints.

I have a lot of environmental information below, and am trying any which way I can to help to reduce destruction of this fragile beautiful place, our world(which by the way our life depends on-fancy that!)
But first here's my new friends who's carbon footprints are very small, yes?


As my boys and I are raising 4 baby silkworms I have been looking up information about them...and amongst the many sites I found this little gem, simple to read and non advertorial.
http://www.permaculturevisions.com/silkworms.htm
so if you have a need for a quiet little pet, have a peek, not everyone is a dog/cat person.
The sensation of their tiny feet gently gripping onto my skin is the most tender experience. They are so delicate. They eat a LOT of mulberry leaves though, I am restocking twice a day with only 4 mouths to feed so it matters to have tree nearby.

"and where is that leaf!?"

Anyhoo, aside from tending these guys I have been making these


and reading this
which is informative and easy to read. Highly recommended!
And now for the longest post I think I will ever have....
A crash course of sorts- on redgums!Lets get in a submission this Friday!

'Dear Red Gum Supporter,

The future of our fragile Red Gum wetlands is being decided in the next
few weeks! The NSW Natural Resources Commission has put out its first
report, and we have just three short weeks to make comments on it.

If you want to see Red Gums protected in world class National Parks
instead of being carted to Melbourne as cheap firewood, then we need you
to write a submission.'

These trees are such incredibly beautiful and life supporting living structures, as their branches fall their trunks form natural hollows which become homes to endangered birds and sugar gliders amongst other creatures.

'The River Red Gum forests of the Riverina are islands of iconic remnants in one of the most poorly reserved regions in the country. They line the major rivers of of the region, the Murray and Murrumbidgee and provide refuge habitats for hollow dependant species like the Barking Owl and the Squirrel Glider. The Central Murray Red Gums are listed under the Ramsar convention as internationally significant wetland; and are of vital cultural significance to indigenous Traditional Owners, who have never relinquished their sovereignty. And yet, there is just one tiny nature reserve along the NSW side of the Murray, and the forests are being patch clearfelled for low value products like firewood and railway sleepers. Help support the campaign to create large new national parks in the River Red Gums, with aboriginal ownership where sought by Traditional Owners.'

We've provided information below to make that as quick as possible for
you. Just make the key points below, add a note about your own feelings
on the issue, and keep it short and sweet. The closing date is 23rd
October 2009.

Points to Make in a Submission

The Regional Assessment of River Red Gums and Woodland Forests conducted
by the Natural resources Commission (NRC) is inadequate for the
following reasons:

• The NRC has not conducted a scientific assessment of the conservation values of River Red Gum forests in the study area.
• There is no consideration of the national reserve criteria or how they will be met.
• The impact of logging on ecosystems has not been considered.
• CSIRO findings that large protected areas are vital to the survival of species in a warming world have been ignored.
• Refugia, corridors and linking habitats in the region have not been identified
• The report fails to address the legal requirements of that EPBC Act 1999

Ask the NRC to address these failings in their next report, and to
ensure that they recommend:

1. Extensive new Red Gum National Parks because:
* Under the national reserve criteria Red Gum is a vulnerable ecosystem that needs a 60% reservation target
* Red Gum forests are vital refuges for plants and animals in a rapidly warming world
* National Parks are crucial to ecosystem resilience

2. Joint management of new National Parks because:
* Red Gum forests are living cultural landscapes that provide bush foods & medicines and contain many cultural sites
* Traditional Owners hold critical ecological knowledge and have cultural obligations to care for country
* Joint Management brings new employment opportunities for Aboriginal communities

3. Much improved environmental water flows to ensure the health of Red Gum into the future

4. A fair restructure package for individuals and businesses affected by the changes.

Email to forests@nrc.nsw.gov.au

good wishes to all who work towards making things better,
xKate