Growing Together

The Growing Together project includes a space for hands-on, action research into socially just and trauma informed transformative nature-based learning programs for young people in the areas of regenerative food growing, socio-environmental care, First Nations-led bush regeneration, and ways to practically apply the concept of caring for Country in our every day lives. 

This includes:

- an enclosed grow tunnel space on Katoomba High school grounds growing organic vegetables, propagating native plants for onsite bush regeneration, and running an affordable fresh food program for school families.

- a ‘Nature, Craft and Connection’ program at Katoomba Highschool with Student Support Officer Viktoria to equip young people with a self-care and community-care toolkit of creative nature-based mental health first aid, and providing avenues for positive, restorative action and mutual care

-  assisting and taking part in the  ‘Birriban’ bush regeneration project on Katoomba Highschool grounds, to learn about caring for Country, managing watersheds and waterways and bush regeneration. A section of the grow tunnel will be dedicated to learning to grow and propagate native plants for Birriban

- assisting local elder Uncle Lex Dadd in the garden around The Shed where he facilitates hands-on environmental education/bush foods/Caring for Country site in Wentworth Falls for Blue Mountains youth. 

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Our team of young growers and volunteering high school students have expressed a strong will and passion to work alongside First Nations people, learning about cultural practices, bush foods, and growing local endemic plants to use for bush regeneration.

This project takes place in two main environmental education sites: 

• Katoomba High School in our grow tunnel market garden, communal space and plant nursery.

• Birriban at Katoomba Highschool: Birriban is a First Nations led bush regeneration project on Katoomba Highschool grounds. One of our team members assists at Birriban each week.

Wherever we have set up regenerative food growing areas, we have always been passionate about caring for local surrounding bushland, growing and tending to native plant habitat and food sources for local insects and wildlife. This project will allow us to work alongside aligned local organisations to make a significant impact in the areas of mental health and environmental education for young people.