A Literal Oasis - Syntropic Agroforestry @ Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia →

In the middle of a semi-arid dustpan is a one-hectare patch of tropical rainforest, built by sensible and sustainable practises and clever use of available resources.

In this video, Rebel Black from The Hungry Spirit at Lightning Ridge shows us the syntropic agroforestry test bed, and we dig deep into the methodology, theory, science and success of syntropic agroforestry in semi-arid regions.

Special thanks to Rebel Black and The Hungry Spirit.

You can find The Hungry Spirit on Facebook and the web, and Syntropic Solutions on Facebook, Instagram and the web.

Ruby Saltbush - Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

Saltbush is common in semi-arid and arid Australia, and some of it is quite tasty.

In this episode of Bush Botany, Warwick Schofield shows us the ruby saltbush, one of the species of saltbush that has adapted to live in the semi-arid desert-like environment around Lightning Ridge.

This video was made with the help and support of Warwick Schofield with support from Margaret Schofield and Kay Wotherspoon.

World First? - We LiDAR Scanned an Opal Mine @ Lightning Ridge! →

We 3D scanned a 25+ year old Lightning Ridge opal mine and created a visualisation of the entire mine. Special thanks to Shaun Galman for allowing access to the mine, providing safety briefings and supporting this creation of this video.

I cannot stress this enough - mine safety is important. Opal mines, opal mining claims and opal fields are dangerous places with hazards you may not be familiar with and cannot predict. Entering a mineral claim without the express permission of the claim owner is considered criminal trespass and can be prosecuted. Entering mine diggings without the presence of a trained and experienced miner is an extreme risk and is never, ever recommended.

Stinking Gidgee & Resilient Wattles in the Outback, Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

There are many species of Acacia in Australia, and here are four of them native to the semi-arid region surrounding the opal fields at Lightning Ridge -- including one that's famous for smelling awful!

In the fourth episode of Bush Botany, Warwick Schofield takes us to the Gidgee Forest via several other species of wattle.

Clarification: In this video I mention that some species of Acacia have modified leaf stems or cladodes in place of normal leaves. The correct term is “phyllodes” from the Ancient Greek "phullodes", meaning “leaf-like”. A phyllode is a modified leaf stem, whereas a cladode is a modified stem. Ultimately their function is very similar, but the terminology differs.

Moss, Algae, Fungus & The Enigma Code - Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

There's a secret group of weird organisms that make life possible -- and you've probably never noticed them.

In the second episode of Bush Botany, we meet up with Warwick Schofield to investigate cryptogams, a group of plant-like organisms with some strange properties and an important role to play. (Plus something weird that happened during World War II.)

This video was made with the assistance of Warwick Schofield, with acknowledgements to Margaret Schofield, Kay Wotherspoon and Susan Keckes.

Meeting Weewarrasaurus! feat. The Dinomaniacs @ Lightning Ridge →

Curiosity Mine and The Dinomaniacs arrange for Mike Poben, discoverer of Weewarrasaurus pobeni to have a first hand encounter with a recreation of his own dinosaur!

Special thanks to The Dinomaniacs for their patience and enthusiasm in helping to make this video. Thanks also to the Australian Opal Centre at Lightning Ridge, and of course Mike Poben for his discovery, participation and good nature.

The Deadly Cactus that Infests The Opal Fields - Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

There's a deadly menace on the Australian opal fields, it's nasty, has two-inch spines and it kills.

Hudson Pear is an invasive cactus species that has unfortunately infested large areas of the opal fields at Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. It has also spread to the other Australian opal fields, and is spreading throughout the rest of the country.

In the first video in the Bush Botany series, featuring Warwick Schofield, we look at Hudson Pear. Its origins, its biology, its interaction with humans and animals, its impact on the opal fields, its future spread. We also look at methods of controlling the cactus outbreak, past and present, and how YOU can help to contain and limit the spread of this vicious plant.