OFF members and friends visited the Habitat Community Nursery and Food Garden in Ryde. After 12 years of incredible volunteer work (and 5 years of lobbying before that!), this open, unfenced garden is now a thriving space providing native plants, veggies, and herbs for the local community.
We saw native plant corridors being established, weeds removed, and a sensory garden for kids taking shape. Afterwards, we strolled along beautiful Shrimpton Creek through Santa Rosa Park, enjoying the native trees and the urban stormwater facility improving local water quality.
Huge thanks to Bev Debrincat, one of the nursery’s founders, for her vision and persistence. We even got to take home some herbs, veggies, and homemade jam—a perfect end to a lovely day!
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The Habitat is a community native plant nursery and community food garden run entirely by volunteers under IEWF’s1 Habitat Network and in partnership with City of Ryde for the purpose of promoting conservation, habitat connections, environmental education and sustainable living.
The nursery grows and provides plants for local bushcare groups and schools, and also sells to the public. It is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 4 pm, and is located at 251 Quarry Road Ryde at the entrance to Santa Rosa Park. This link will explain the Habitat Network in more detail.
Participants will hear about the nursery and garden and the small bird habitat corridor along Shrimpton’s Creek. There will also be a walking tour of the native regeneration in Santa Rosa Park undertaken by The Habitat volunteers specifically for improving small bird habitat. The nursery and the environmental network that has been created is truly inspirational!
Bev Debrincat, who started Habitat Network in 2003 will be hosting us. Meet at 10.30am. Bring . Leader: Susan Ghossn, 0413 276 882
Bring the usual… hat, sunscreen, water, snack and comfortable shoes. There is a small shopping centre nearby for lunch afterwards or you can walk to Macquarie Shopping Centre along the path which runs from the nursery along Shrimpton’s Creek (about 2.9 km easy walk). If its raining please still come but bring raincoats and umbrellas.
1, International Environmental Weed Foundation