Today on Beyond The Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Osprey Orielle Lake.

Founder and executive director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey works internationally with grassroots, BIPOC and Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and diverse coalitions to build climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean-energy future.

She sits on the executive committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and on the steering committee for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Osprey’s writing about climate justice, relationships with nature, women in leadership, and other topics has been featured in The Guardian, Earth Island Journal, The Ecologist, Ms. Magazine and many other publications.

In this episode Osprey shares her experience in advocating for change alongside diverse communities. She discusses some of the root causes of the climate crisis, and why we need to seek systemic change in order to see a real difference.

You’ll hear about the pivotal role women play in decreasing carbon emissions and bringing about lasting change, as well as the importance of indigenous rights and how earth centred cultures may hold the key to healing ecosystems and living harmoniously with the land.

Learn more about Osprey and read her latest book ‘The Story Is In Our Bones: How Worldviews And Climate Justice Can Remake A World In Crisis’ at https://ospreyoriellelake.earth/

The Knowledge of Earth-Centered Cultures, the Key to Tackling Climate Change

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Trent Romer, author of the books ‘This is Our Home: A Sustainability Story to Help You Start Your Own Eco-Friendly Journey’ and ‘Finding Sustainability: The Personal and Professional Journey of a Plastic Bag Manufacturer’.

Trent is a 3rd generation co-owner of his family’s business Clear View Bag Co., Inc founded in 1961 by his grandfather.

In this episode he talks about what inspired him to turn to more sustainable options. Trent knew the changes he made needed to be good for the business and good for the planet. 

He shares the changes his company made, such as reducing waste, hosting educational events for employees, and implementing the company vision of ‘Healthy Planet. Healthy People. Healthy Company’.

Trent offers a number of ways consumers can make a real impact, and reminds businesses to keep in mind the cost of inaction.

Trent’s latest book ‘This Is Our Home: A Sustainability Story to Help You Start Your Own Eco-Friendly Journey’ is written for people who want to move in a sustainable direction, but feel overwhelmed, wondering 'How do I begin my journey and what do I do after I start?'.

Progress is better than perfection, and Trent hopes to inspire those he reaches that we can each make choices, no matter how small, that move us in the right direction.

Learn more about Trent’s work and buy his books:

https://trentromer.com/

From Plastic Bags to Sustainable Packaging: Lessons Learned From Business Owner and Author Trent Romer

In this special episode of Beyond The Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey is delighted to announce that Moss Environmental has merged with OzEnvironmental Pty Ltd, a like-minded boutique rural consultancy.

OzEnvironmental, under the direction of Adjunct Professor Warwick Giblin, has operated since 2011 in the discipline of environmental and social impact management. It has built a formidable reputation acting for rural councils and landholders on energy and mining projects across Australia, including NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

With this merger, Moss Environmental propels itself into new dimensions of service excellence. Our environment and heritage service offerings are expanding, and our capabilities in the realm of environmental impact assessment, including community impact and stakeholder engagement, are taking a giant leap forward.

___

Becoming aware of a large project in the approvals process in their area can lead to much uncertainty and distress. A local council may become aware of a proposed development through the planning portal or from the developer themselves.

The vast majority of current renewable energy projects, for example, will be determined at a state level because they fall into the category of state significant development or Critical State Significant Infrastructure. That's why it's so important that council understands their role in the approval process and makes their voice heard through well researched submissions and negotiations during the development of the voluntary planning agreement.

Landowners can become aware of pending development plans through a variety of different avenues, including a letter that's been posted, a social media post, or a knock on the door.

Often, people will experience physical and mental wellness challenges because of resulting worry. They begin to wonder what will happen to their piece of paradise, whether they will receive compensation, and how they will retain a voice in the daunting power dynamic of dealing with developers.

Warwick encourages people in this situation to rally community, build a support network, and utilize professional advice from an environmental practitioner who is familiar with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the assessment and determination process.

In this episode you’ll hear Shonelle and Warwick share stories about their mutual desire to see communication between developers and affected communities be more balanced. Too often, meetings seem to involve developers telling communities how the process will go, and Warwick believes a change in this dynamic will only happen when developers are truly convinced that it’s in their best interests to take the voices of the community into account, even in the early planning stages.

If you're interested to know more about the expanded services now offered by Moss Environmental, please visit our website at www.mossenviro.com.au [http://www.mossenviro.com.au/]

Helping Communities Maintain a Voice During the Renewable Energy Boom with Warwick Giblin

Today on Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Kurt Laboyrie, an area manager at the Soil Conservation Service. Kurt is also a past member of the International Erosion Control Association Board, and recently received a Change Makers achievement from the organization Future Women.

Kurt has always lived on the coast and spent time in nature, where he developed an understanding of how sediment and water moved. He earned his masters’ degree in Coastal Planning and Management, then began his career in erosion control in sand dunes. 

He worked on dune stabilization and natural area management, fire trail and asset protection, zone construction and maintenance, creek line remediation projects, contaminated land rehabilitation, and design and construction of drainage structures. He also held advisory roles as a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control.

Kurt now manages numerous civil and environmental construction works, serving local landholders, state, federal and corporate clients. Maintaining his focus on coastal environmental management, Kurt has kept a passion for environmental legacy, always striving to contribute to lasting change.

The Soil Conservation Service is a government contractor and also deals in the public space. Kurt shares his insights on how to build good teams for highly varied jobs, and how those diverse teams enable the company to fix problems for clients and take on challenges and risks that not everyone would be willing to.

Kurt and Shonelle also chat about Kurt’s desire to see gender parity and equal pay in the construction industry. Many top companies have a measure of equality at the highest levels, while the construction industry is behind in this and has been traditionally very male-dominated. Kurt shares what a single individual in the system can do to encourage more diversity and equity in their work culture.

Kurt recounts a contaminated land rehab project that his team recently completed, which comprised of both terrestrial and aquatic rehabilitation. Older boat paint containing lead and other harmful metals was effecting a populated area’s oysters, fish and potentially humans, and it was Kurt’s job to come up with a way to get all the harmful material out of the harbor and send it to a registered site. 

He talks about the importance of the staging equipment they used, how they implemented two sediment curtains into the process, why they used a dredge, and how they pumped contaminated water into dewatering bags, sealed to limit human exposure.

We’ll hear Kurt speak on the unique challenges of working in the coastal environment, and share how he’d love to see better alignment on Best Practice across states and legislations in order to see LGA’s working together for the most efficient solutions. 

Learn more about Soil Conservation Service: www.scs.nsw.gov.au/

YouTube https://www.bing.com/search?q=soil+conservation+service+youtube&qs=n&form=QBRE&msbsrank=6_6__0&sp=-1&pq=soil+conservation+service+cs+youtube&sc=636&sk=&cvid=9EE4426D9FCD43B48E8BF22659F0DE1F&ghsh=0&ghacc=0&ghpl=

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NSWSCS/

LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/soil-conservation-service?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebing%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=au

More about the Gender Parity Take aways:
Understand Yourself- so you can help. Do you have unconscious Bias, do this test?
Select a Test (harvard.edu) Choose the Gender-Career IAT.
Understand the problem- https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html

The Lift- What is the gender pay gap?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+lift+gender+youtube&&view=detail&mid=143F5413B212A71023E7143F5413B212A71023E7&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dthe%2Blift%2Bgender%2Byoutube%26qpvt%3Dthe%2Bli

A Change Maker: Creating A Paradigm Shift For Gender Equality In The Workplace

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with the inventor of pasture cropping: Colin Seis. 

Colin oversees 3,500 Merino sheep on his property in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, where he also grows cereal crops and natives grasses. He and his son, Nick, breed Kelpie dogs on the land as well.

Collin has received a Conservation Farmer of the Year Award, Australian Carbon Farmer of the Year, NSW Regional Achievement and Community Award, and was recently called one of the top 6 most influential farmers in the world by the Melbourne Weekly Times. 

His 2,000 acre plot is called Winona, and it has a widespread reputation for holding up amazingly during drought. Its predominant soils include coarse and fine sands derived from granite, which are not considered highly fertile, but he shares with us how pasture cropping is a way of working alongside nature instead of against it, resulting in a more robust and resilient farm.

Colin describes pasture cropping as the way that crops were originally cultivated in ancient times: not by killing every other plant in the area, but by sewing crops in with native grasses and other plants, so that competing roots can improve a crop’s vitality, water retention and wind protection.

Colin developed the approach of pasture cropping along with a neighbor farmer after a devastating bush fire in 1979. Today, the land can now officially be called restored grassland, and Colin can be found teaching his regenerative methods to farmers around the world through his online “Smart Soil” classes.

Collin’s sheep are also managed holistically, using a method he describes as time-controlled grazing. 

He educates us that gross margin (profit) is greater in a pasture cropping, because multiple products are being harvested. The crops are about the same yield, just slightly more variable. But native grass seed is harvested in addition, increasing profits.

Fertilizer is still used on Winona, but has been reduced over time as sheep grazing increasingly becomes a type of natural mulching and fertilizing. 

Collin recounts that in the early years, he was ostracized by the industry for attempting to sell combined crops, and had to have self-belief and confidence to continue. He notes that his first supporters were ecologists, because they had understanding of diverse systems.

He discloses that one of the biggest advantages of pasture cropping is the stimulation and germination of dormant seed - even seed that has been sitting for decades. This can be a significant factor in restoring grasslands. 

Soil carbon levels have increased over time at Colin’s farm, and current measurements are detecting increased carbon as far down as a meter. Colin shares that this is due to plant diversification, and bigger perennial plants with deeper roots.

We know you’ll be encouraged to hear from one of the legends in regenerative agriculture on this episode.

Check out Colin’s family land:
www.Winona.net.au

And take a look at his classes:
www.SmartSoilEdu.com



The Regeneration of Pasture Cropping: An Integrated Approach To Grain And Pasture Production

Today on Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with James Hammond, founder and CEO of 4Pillars Environmental Consulting. 

James manages a 14-person team that provides a wide range of services in environmental management and compliance, contaminated waste solutions, and impact assessment.

James has a scientific and professional background, and a love for strategic environmental management. Shonelle asks about his journey to becoming an environmental consultant, and what his advice would be to young professionals that may want to enter into the field of consulting. 

Getting his business off the ground included starting in a garage office, relying on grassroots word of mouth leads, and plenty of hard work. James made a decision to avoid being a sub-contractor under another companies, because he saw the advantage of only offering services directly to clients.

James describes the importance of building a support team and knowing your limits as a business owner, as well as patience and level-headed decision-making during the grind of building a business from scratch. 

He implemented software and systems that would work even after the company grew, and always attempted to envision the end from the beginning. Whether a business owner’s end goal is passive income, getting acquired, or building a family legacy company, these differing end goals will effect strategic choices in the beginning stages.

James named his company 4Pillars because it operates under the presupposition that there are four pillars to sustainable development: environment, society, economy, and intergenerational equity. The pillars must be considered altogether in order to operate in ways that are responsible for tomorrow.

Shonelle and James discuss how some of 4Pillar’s current impact assessment projects are gathering their data and developing strategies for their clients. James shares that within cities, air, noise and water are usually the three focuses, whereas in more remote areas there are different priorities. 

They reference the ongoing issue of asbestos contamination in soil, and the hope that policy consistency across different agencies and levels of government will move this important work in the right direction.

He talks about the times his assessments have resulted in avoidance recommendations, and how to present those types of recommendations effectively. 

Volunteer work is often a part of the most effective environmental scientists and consultants, and James shares about his enthusiastic involvement with the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand. 

Today’s conversation also touches on the topic of green accounting and how it’s effecting the environmental consulting field. 

This helpful interview with James Hammond is sure to be a source of inspiration for a lot of listeners, especially those who are starting out in the environmental consulting space.

The Early Stages and Pitfalls of Running An Environmental Consultancy

Today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line is hosted by one of our key consultants, Elizabeth Ogunsote. Elizabeth hosts a fascinating conversation about upcycling with entrepreneur Olabanke Subair, the accomplished owner and creative director of sustainable home decor company Cyrus45.

 Cyrus45 upcycles non-biodegradable waste such as used tires in Lagos, Nigeria, turning them into artistic modern furniture. They won the 2018 ACE award for the Best Eco-friendly Product.

Today we hear what inspired Olabanke to build her company, what went in to starting her factory, and how she stays creatively inspired, 5 years in. 

 She explains how she resources used tires in Nigeria now that the business has grown, and shares a philosophical and inspiring commentary on what constitutes true creativity, and we can all tap into it as we reduce each of our own carbon footprints. We learn how problem-solving, innovation, and creativity interplay in Olabanke’s leadership style, and what’s coming next for one of her other businesses, Doodle Arts.

Elizabeth asks Olabanke about tire fires, and we hear how we can prevent raging land-fill fires and slow down the disposing of tires in those locations. Olabanke also shares about production, language and environmental challenges that the factory has faced, and how even that has prompted her to think about new designs.

Having created a handful of artistic start-ups as an “ecopreneur” and creative disruptor, Olabanke shares why Cyrus45 is her most meaningful accomplishment to date, and why she feels proud of where it’s heading in the future. She shares words of wisdom to future entrepreneurs about how to balance their creativity with patience and perseverance in order to survive the tedious ride.

Cyrus45 factory’s gloss-painted tires form the foundations for beautiful rocking chairs, classy glass end tables, and circular wall mirrors, so we encourage you to click on the links below and follow their amazing journey as a sustainable furniture store. 

Follow Olabanke:

https://www.instagram.com/doodlegraphie/


Follow Olabanke’s company:

https://www.facebook.com/cyrus45factory/

https://twitter.com/cyrus45factory

How This Female Entrepreneur Turned Used Tyres Into Decor Treasures

Today on Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with regenerative agriculturist Dr. Charles Massy. 

Charles became an advocate for regenerative agriculture after the infamous four-year draught of the late 70’s and early 80’s, when he transformed his personal approach from conventional farming to regenerative holistic management of his property on the Monaro. 

He has now written three books, received an OAM, and maintained a chemical-free property for decades - one that boasts native grass in an area where surrounding farms have turned to dustbowls during recent droughts. 

We hear all about his life-altering decision to transition to regenerative farming, the keys to his success in the process of restoring his soil, and his PhD research on some of the catalysts and destabilizing events that cause regenerative farmers begin to adopt the approach and turn their landscapes around.

Shonelle and Charles discuss the crucial topic of fertilizer, and how natural alternatives to chemical herbicides and pesticides - like worm juice and compost extract - can result in better nutrition and healthier soil.

Dr. Charles Massy defines regenerative agriculture succinctly by saying, “it’s working with biology and not against it.” He clarifies that every farmer’s biggest asset is the land, even above their animals or crops, and reminds us all that there is indeed a way to successfully utilize natural soil and graze animals in a sustainable and healthy way. 

He asserts that nature’s self-organizing processes are far superior to our simplified, chemical-driven modern approach. By maximizing solar energy, protecting soil health, tending to the water cycle, ensuring biodiversity, and refraining from interfering nature’s timing, humans can become better stewards of land while harvesting more nutritious crops.

Charles explains that during the scientific revolution, humanity shifted to a “mechanical mind,” and distanced ourselves from nature. The combination of that more arrogant mindset with the invention of chemical fertilizers, big farming machinery, and motive for profit after World War II is what created the modern human ecosystem of farming in the form it exists today.

But, now that we’re more aware than ever of our climate and soil’s vulnerable state, a swing back to regenerative agriculture would have a huge positive impact on the planet as well as human health. Charles skillfully teaches us about the biology and carbon impact of different approaches to farming, and casts vision from where we can, and must, go from here.



Regenerative Agriculture – From Junkie Crops Looking For A Fix To Helping Mother Nature Rediscover Herself

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle interviews former podiatrist turned work boot designer Penny Crawford. 

Penny is a country girl from Gunnedah, a small town in the Liverpool planes of NSW that’s made up of farmland, mines, the Namoi river, and copious Koalas. 

Many miners visited her practice complaining of sore feet from their work, and her care for her patients has propelled her to create her company, Crawford Boots. Her incredibly helpful invention - a waterproof safety work book that actually fits correctly - withstood rigorous on-site survey research and gained raving reviews from grateful miners.

Penny shares that most of her patients’ foot issues were caused by ill-fitting footwear, and her desire to see the problem solved at the source let her to design and manufacture unique work boots that utilized two factories: one that specialized in the outer casing of the water proof boot, and one that designed superior in-soles. 

We hear all about her boot company’s big wins, supply chain challenges, and new partnership with the University of New South Wales’ Sustainable Research and Technology Center in a circular economy-inspired rubber recycling project, using her brand’s boots.

From the get-go, Penny desired to use sustainable materials (like rubber instead of PVC), and had in mind the end goal of creating a product that could be part of the circular economy. Then, the additional supply chain strain of Covid added another incentive to move the manufacturing process to a more local scenario. 

Penny joined the AMGC (the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre), who assisted her in getting the boots tested to see if she could begin to replace the rubber she was using with recycled or repurposed material. 

In addition, her boots’ end-of-life will now include repurposing into the steel-making industry by being combined with coal as the energy source at specific steel-making plants. Partnering with specific mining sites to provide receptacles for finished boots will ensure they collected for repurposing.

Penny won Business New South Wales’ Outstanding Business Leader, and Business of the Year 2021 for her entrepreneurship and innovative work on her boot product. We’re inspired by her work ethic and on-going commitment to responsible and sustainable business.

Take a moment to check out Dr. Penny Crawfords durable work boots:
crawfordboots.com.au



How The Problem Of Sore Feet Gave An Opportunity to Expand A Boot Business

On today’s episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey chats with Warwick Giblin, a veteran in the environmental management space, and one of her personal mentors. 

Warwick has 40 years of senior executive experience in environmental management in both government work (with National Parks and Wildlife Service and Sydney Water) and various corporations (such as Waste Management International and Waste Management NZ Ltd).

He is currently the Managing Director of OzEnvironmental Pty Ltd, which provides high-end technical, legal and strategic advice to farmers, Councils, Traditional Owners, and businesses when development projects come to their town (or farm, as the case may be).

This was a fascinating, insightful, and extremely necessary conversation about helping communities maintain a voice during land development projects.

Many of the impacted areas Warwick supports involve multigenerational farms, tight-knit communities, and various other types of landholders. Becoming aware of a large project in the approvals process in their area can lead to much uncertainty and distress.

Landowners can become aware of pending development plans through a variety of different avenues including, a mailed letter, a social media post, or a knock on the door. Often, Warwick’s clients then experience physical and mental wellness challenges because of resulting worry. They begin to wonder what will happen to their piece of paradise, whether they will receive compensation, and how they will retain a voice in the daunting power dynamic of dealing with developers.

Warwick encourages people in this situation to rally community, build a support network, and utilize professional advice from an environmental practitioner who is familiar with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the assessment and determination process.

Recently, the Sydney Morning Herald published an article explaining how the NSW state government planned to fast-track transmission line projects for renewables in the regions. While rapid decarbonization of our energy system is important, it’s also imperative to examine how these projects’ rapid assessment processes will affect communities with substantial change and disruption.

Many landowners have limited economic capacity compared to developers, and Warwick’s presence helps farmers and communities in this situation retain influence throughout the development process. 

Shonelle and Warwick share stories about their mutual desire to see communication between developers and affected communities be more balanced. Too often, meetings seem to involve developers telling communities how the process will go, and Warwick believes a change in this dynamic will only happen when developers are truly convinced that it’s in their best interests to take the voices of the community into account, even in the early planning stages.

Warwick also relays much wisdom and experience around creating openness and transparency, even in tense conversations with developers, and ensuring real accountability during the land development process.

Podcast — Sydney Environment Institute
Renewables & rural Australia - The Australia Institute



Consulting Communities And Engaging With Stakeholders

Moss Environmental (@mossenvironmental) · Zencastr

Moss Environmental (@mossenvironmental)

The only podcast hooking you up for a virtual coffee date with some of the leading change-makers, industry experts and everyday activists in environmental sciences. Hosted by Shonelle Gleeson-Willey and her team of earth-advocates at Moss Environmental, we crack down on big topics like sustainability and conservation and break them into bite-sized chunks of inspiration and actionable steps that you can use to unleash the eco-warrior inside you. So invite your friends, pull up a chair, and get ready for inspiration, ideas, insights, and real-life stories beyond the green line we balance along.

Beyond The Green Line

Contamination Station: Safer Environment Together is an EPA initiative to gather learnings from the management of contaminated land at the local level. Whether you're working in the field of contaminated land, or simply interested in protecting the environment, you'll find this podcast to be a wealth of information and resources to help us all come together to create a safer environment together.

Hosted by Shonelle Gleeson-Willey,  environment and sustainability expert, educator, speaker and CEO of Moss Environmental. You'll hear from experts across a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experience and knowledge in the field of contaminated land.

So put your headphones in, grab a cup of coffee, and tune in for some insightful stories.

