Research with Landcare after the 2019-2020 bushfires
The overwhelm of black and the joy of green
Experiences of members of Landcare and other environmentally focussed community groups after the 2019-2020 bushfires
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In 2019-2020 large parts of Australia, including East Gippsland and north east Victoria were badly affected by the intense ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. Many of these communities had experienced drought, flood and other fires in the decade prior. The bushfires were then closely followed by COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021-2022 a team from the University of Melbourne and Federation University undertook research to explore the contributions of local groups to environmental and biodiversity recovery after bushfires and how involvement in these groups affected their members’ well-being.
The aims of our research project were to explore:
- The contribution of local groups to environmental and biodiversity recovery after bushfires.
- How involvement in natural environmental recovery activities affects group members’ well-being and social resilience.
- Factors likely to enhance and/or inhibit the capacity of community based environmental groups to contribute to environmental and social resilience after a bushfire.
Investigators
Dr. Kate Brady (lead), University of Melbourne
Contact: kate.brady@unimelb.edu.au
Professor Greg Foliente, University of Melbourne
Professor Lisa Gibbs, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Jessica Reeves, Federation University
Wendy Wright, Federation University
Partners
Federation University and Landcare Victoria
Funding
This Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Project has been supported by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.