Seeding community resilience two-years after the Northern Rivers flooding
4 March 2024
Yesterday, the communities of The Channon and Nimbin, came together in a celebration of resilience during a seed pod making workshop, facilitated by Australian Red Cross and AirSeed.
AirSeed - an innovative environmental restoration company has been working with communities to undertake drone-powered tree planting in the area’s flood-impacted landscapes as part of Australian Red Cross’ flood recovery work in the region.
Australian Red Cross Recovery Officer Charmaine Scherrer said participants helped craft seed pods destined to breathe new life into the flood-impacted land when they are planted by AirSeed’s drones around The Channon and Nimbin.
“Some landholders have lost accessibility to parts of their land from the sheer scale of damage caused by landslides and slips in the 2022 floods,” said Ms Scherrer.
“The workshop served as a platform for fostering connections within community with participants, volunteers, and local stakeholders sharing their own stories of resilience whilst creating the seed pods,“ she said.
AirSeed’s collaboration with Australian Red Cross stems from its involvement in the organisation’s Humanitech initiative established with founding partner the Telstra Foundation. AirSeed’s Humanitech supported program focuses on creating sustainable and locally led technology solutions to humanitarian and climate challenges.
AirSeed Commercial Director Jonathan Dawe said, through the collaboration with Australian Red Cross’ Humanitech, AirSeed was able to connect with residents and community groups in the Northern Rivers and work alongside them to integrate future climate resilience into every tree being re-planted in the region.
“The collaboration exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to address humanitarian and environmental challenges, and drive forward sustainable solutions together with communities, as we work with a collective focus on building climate resilience,” said Mr Dawe.
As the pods are planted, the journey toward resilience in the Northern Rivers continues two years after the devastating storms and floods hit, read more on the work of communities recovery in Australian Red Cross’ floods report.
Or to find out more on Australian Red Cross’ Humanitech’s work with AirSeed visit: https://www.humanitech.org.au/resources/airseed/.
Media inquiries: media@redcross.org.au or call Lilly Ward on 0420 501 079
