Clouds build up, fruits flower, Indigenous seasons change Artwork

Big Sky Country

Join conservation organisation Bush Heritage Australia to travel the vast Australian continent: from the flanks of the Mighty Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales where over 40,000 trees have been planted, to the ‘Galapagos of the Kimberley’ where some slimy snails have scientists extremely excited, and across to the ancestral lands of Waanyi and Garawa people where they are keeping culture and biodiversity alive. Meet experts in conservation and Country who are on the ground working to address some of our most pressing environmental threats. Theme music by The Orbweavers. Sign up to our newsletter at www.bushheritage.org.au or follow us on socials @bushheritageaus

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Big Sky Country

Clouds build up, fruits flower, Indigenous seasons change

March 17, 2022 • Bush Heritage Australia • Season 1 • Episode 5

When you think of the seasons, does Spring begin on the first day of September? Summer on the first of December? Or is it the Wet season on the first of November? The Dry season on the first of May?

Unlike Gregorian or Western Calendars, Aboriginal calendars are not based on structural time, but ecological time, and they are strongly embedded in place.

Different phases of plant and animal lifecycles, variations in animal behaviours, cloud formations and wind directions can indicate the right time to harvest different plants and foods, and the right time to burn different vegetation types. But lately, with an acceleration of climate change, the seasons aren't always as they used to be.

In this episode, we take you to central Arnhem Land to hear from Rembarrnga and Dalabon people about their seasonal calendars and community-wide effort to keep language, culture and country strong.

Produced by Eliza Herbert (host), Katie Degnian and Amelia Caddy.

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