Thursday, March 28, 2024

Festival a chance to get to know the Nullaki

Recent stories

Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

This month’s ‘Knowing Nullaki Festival’ is an opportunity to learn and explore, create and celebrate what makes the Wilson Inlet special.

Angela Rossen
Angela Rossen.
Photo: Serena Kirby

The month-long festival, organised in partnership with Denmark’s Greenskills and artist and biodiversity educator, Angela Rossen, will feature 26 free community events.

Each event will explore the Nullaki through the lenses of cultural knowledge, art and science.

“Nullaki is the local Noongar name for seagrass which is central to the inlet’s health,” Angela said.

“Denmark really is a paradise and it’s easy to take this magnificent natural environment for granted.”

Angela, who is an Honorary Research Associate with the School of Biological Sciences at UWA, has designed and presented conservation and sustainability projects with schools and community groups WA since 2009.

Her biodiversity workshops and community projects are an integral part of what she does and influence the art she creates in the field and in her studio.

“If we understand and see the biodiversity of what is living in our waterways and in our soil we’re likely to be more thoughtful about our impact on natural systems,” Angela said.

“Discovering nature’s tiny details is a great way to start a journey of discovery that makes us better appreciate whole environmental systems.”

Angela said this was especially true for children and as part of the festival she would conduct art and science workshops, as well as field trips, with three local schools.

“I love the joy children find in nature when they learn ways of seeing both with magnification but also through exploration and perseverance.

“When we foster that attention to detail, that attention to nature, we grow a greater sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment.

“We need to talk loudly about protecting the environment and get to the point where any disregard for it is simply not tolerated.”

Several field trips and workshops feature in the festival’s extensive program including a community biodiversity survey of the Inlet on Saturday, May 14.

This event will include guests from the numerous organisations that monitor and maintain the health of the Inlet and surrounding catchment area.

Noongar elders Vernice Gillies and Larry Blight will share their knowledge at some of the festival’s events.

Angela will also hold two evening nature studies painting workshops on Tuesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 19 from 7-9pm at the Civic Centre.

Throughout the five weeks of events, participants will observe and document the plants and animals of the Nullaki through the biodiversity surveys, painting, drawing and photography.

These artworks will form a survey exhibition at the Butter Factory Gallery opening with a grand celebration on May 26.

The exhibition will be on display for a month with interactive activities at the gallery.

For more information and to view the full event program go to https://greenskills.org.au/knowing-nullaki or contact Greenskills on 9848 3310.

Denmark Bulletin 5 May 2022

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 5 May 2022.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Sign up for updates from Australian Rural & Regional News

Manage your subscription

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

For all the news from the Denmark Bulletin, go to http://www.denmarkbulletin.com.au/