• Rainwater Tanks: All buildings on our property, including the cafe, are fitted with rainwater tanks that supply water for everyday operations. This system ensures we remain self-sufficient and minimise reliance on external water sources.
• Sustainable Water Use: We use water sparingly, prioritising essential needs and ensuring there is no wastage, our grey water is utilised within our personal area to ensure our lawn and trees remain watered.

Water Diversion Systems: We’ve implemented strategically placed channels and barriers to redirect stormwater, preventing erosion and protecting our infrastructure. These systems are designed to:

• Safeguard pathways and planted areas from waterlogging.
• Protect neighbouring properties from potential runoff damage.
• Direct water toward natural drainage points or areas where it can be absorbed safely.
• Direct water towards dams ensuring a seasonal abundance of water

Proactive Measures: These stormwater systems are a key part of our commitment to responsible land management and compliance with environmental guidelines.

Drought Resilience: To prepare for the challenges of a changing climate, we have:

• Planted drought-resistant native crops that require minimal water while supporting soil health.
• Developed soil improvement strategies, such as planting Old Man Saltbush, to retain moisture and reduce salinity.

Community Engagement: Visitors learn how to conserve water and implement simple, sustainable practices.

• Protecting the Ecosystem: Effective water management supports local biodiversity, helping native plants and animals thrive.
• Preserving Resources: By using rainwater and managing stormwater responsibly, we ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.
• Community and Environmental Impact: Our efforts help maintain positive relations with neighbouring properties and protect the surrounding environment from water-related damage.

Guests who join our tours gain hands-on experience with some of our water conservation methods, learning about the role of rainwater, stormwater management and sustainable farming practices in creating a resilient ecosystem.

Through education, action and innovation, Native Oz Bushfoods is dedicated to protecting water resources for future generations while showcasing how small changes can make a big difference. Whether you’re enjoying the beauty of our farm or taking part in one of our tours, you’re contributing to a legacy of conservation and sustainability.

Soil Enrichment and Fire Risk Reduction

• Backburning and Nutrient Cycling: Where possible, we conduct controlled backburning within our orchard to return essential nutrients to the soil. This process promotes healthier plant growth while reducing the risk of uncontrolled fires during bushfire season.
• Crop Rotation and Salinity Control: We utilise Old Man Saltbush as a pioneering crop to draw excess salt from the ground, restoring the soil and creating optimal conditions for more sensitive native species like Northern Sandalwood.
• Composting and Mulching: Organic matter from our farm operations is composted and returned to the soil, improving moisture retention, boosting microbial activity, and reducing erosion.

Weed and Pest Control

• Non-Toxic Weed Management: Instead of harmful chemicals, we prioritise organic methods such as manual removal and controlled burning to manage invasive species and protect native biodiversity.
• Integrated Pest Management: We use organic, non-toxic solutions like Seasol and lime sulphur to maintain plant health while ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Composting and Soil Enrichment

• Farm Waste Recycling: Organic waste generated from our farm and tours is composted and returned to the soil to improve its health and fertility.

Minimising Waste Across Operations

• Reusable Materials: We avoid single-use plastics and prioritise reusable dinnerware during events, reducing unnecessary waste.
• Biodegradable Materials: We avoid single-use plastics and prioritise biodegradable dinnerware during tours, reducing unnecessary waste.
• Sustainable Packaging: Our products are packaged using recyclable or biodegradable materials where possible to align with our waste minimisation goals.

Organic and Non-Toxic Solutions

• Environmentally Friendly Sprays: We exclusively use organic solutions such as Seasol, lime sulphur, and organic weed sprays to maintain plant health without causing residual pollution.
• Weed Disposal: In some cases, weeds are managed through controlled burning, an Aboriginal land management technique that prevents chemical contamination.

Composting and Recycling

• Farm Waste Recycling: Organic waste from our farming operations is composted and reintegrated into the soil, reducing landfill waste while enhancing soil quality.

Monitoring and Innovation: We continuously assess our land, water and waste management practices to identify new ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

Future Sustainability Goals: We aim to expand our water conservation systems, introduce more advanced soil restoration techniques and further minimise waste production.

• Protecting the Local Ecosystem: Healthy soil, responsible water use and waste reduction support biodiversity and increase climate resilience while also reducing pollution and protect local waterways and ecosystems.
• Reducing Bushfire Risks: Backburning and controlled fuel-load reduction measures help minimise the risk of bushfires, protecting both our land and neighbouring properties.
• Long-Term Sustainability: By managing resources wisely, we ensure that our farm remains productive, self-sufficient, and ecologically sound for generations to come while conserving resources by repurposing materials.

Minimal Impact Practices

• Preserving Natural Habitats: We limit disturbances to natural areas on our farm, ensuring that native plants and animals have safe spaces to live and breed.
• Controlled Access: We restrict visitor access or supply guided visuals to sensitive ecological areas, including our Northern Sandalwood trees, to allow for natural growth and regeneration.
• Responsible Wildlife Interaction: We educate guests on the importance of respecting wildlife, maintaining a safe distance and not feeding animals to avoid disrupting their natural behaviours.

Monitoring and Conservation Efforts

• Observing Wildlife Patterns: We actively monitor wildlife movements, breeding seasons and habitat changes to ensure our land management practices align with conservation needs.
• Biodiversity Restoration: We plant native trees and understory plants to provide food and shelter for birds, insects and mammals, increasing biodiversity.
• Feral Animal Management: We control feral species such as cats, wild dogs and hares that pose a threat to native wildlife, helping restore ecological balance.

Northern Sandalwood Conservation

• Our property is home to a naturally occurring population of Northern Sandalwood, a species that has been overharvested in many regions.
• We have been monitoring and caring for these trees for over 17 years, ensuring their continued survival and regeneration.
• Habitat Restoration: Our land management strategies focus on maintaining suitable host trees and overgrown grass areas, providing the necessary conditions for young sandalwood trees to thrive.

Planting for Biodiversity

• We actively plant native bushfoods and other indigenous species to support a variety of wildlife, including pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
• Our conservation strategy allows us to create diverse ecosystems that support both flora and fauna while remaining beneficial to the conservation status of our natives.

Erosion & Waterway Protection

• Our stormwater diversion systems prevent erosion, ensuring clean water flows into surrounding ecosystems and reducing habitat degradation for aquatic species.
• We plant deep-rooted native vegetation along drainage areas to stabilise the soil and prevent loss of critical topsoil.

Sustainable Tourism Practices: We educate visitors on how to reduce their impact on wildlife and ecosystems through responsible tourism behaviours.

Guided Interpretations: Our tours include discussions on local wildlife, their importance in the ecosystem and how conservation efforts support them.

Minimal Impact Walking Codes: Guests are advised to stay on designated paths, wear enclosed shoes to prevent the spread of invasive species and avoid disturbing cultural sites or wildlife habitats.

• We pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the land we operate on both verbally and in writing.
• Our website, tour materials and signage acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their ongoing connection to the land, waters and culture.
• Every tour begins with an Acknowledgement of Country, explaining the difference between Acknowledgement and a Welcome to Country, ensuring visitors understand these cultural protocols.
• Guests participate in a Smoking Ceremony, a practice used by Aboriginal people to cleanse the spirit, protect visitors and honour Country.

• Our property is home to a women’s boora ring, an ancient cultural site that we are actively working to restore and preserve.
• We educate guests on Aboriginal traditions, cultural protocols, and the significance of sacred sites, ensuring that tourism remains respectful.

Bushfood Education: Our eco-tours provide in-depth insights into the cultural significance of native plants, their traditional uses in food and medicine and their role in sustaining Aboriginal communities for thousands of years.

Traditional Land Management: Visitors learn about firestick farming, seasonal planting and regenerative land care, which have been practiced for tens of thousands of years.

Oral History & Storytelling: We share Aboriginal Dreaming stories related to the land, native foods and the natural cycles that guide traditional ecological knowledge.

Protection of Intellectual Property: Our founders, Tracey and Doug, are co-founders of BBIEC (Bushfoods & Botanicals Indigenous Economic Collective), working to protect Indigenous knowledge and ensure fair economic participation in the bushfoods industry.

WIPO Bushfoods Pilot Program: Tracey is actively collaborating with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Department of Foreign Affairs to co-design Indigenous Intellectual Property protections for bushfoods.

No Exploitation of Cultural Heritage: We do not sell heritage artefacts or culturally significant items, and we educate visitors on ethical purchasing to prevent the exploitation of Aboriginal art and culture.

Supporting Aboriginal Artists: All Aboriginal artwork and cultural items sold at Native Oz Bushfoods are locally made by Tracey, Doug or their family members, ensuring authenticity and fair trade.

Certificate of Authenticity: Indigenous art and craft pieces are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, detailing the artist’s name, provenance and the story behind the piece.

Promoting Cultural Festivals & Events: We actively support and promote local Aboriginal festivals, markets and cultural gatherings, encouraging visitors to engage with the broader Indigenous community.

Easy-to-Find Location: Native Oz Bushfoods is listed on Google Maps and clear directions are provided before arrival to help guests navigate easily.

On-Site Signage: A large, visible sign at the entrance ensures guests can easily locate us.

Plenty of Parking: We provide clearly marked parking areas with space for larger vehicles and easy access to our main facilities.

Designated Accessibility Parking: We provide parking areas closer to our main facilities for easier access.

Seating & Shade: Our café and seating areas are under a large insulated patio, offering a comfortable space for guests to relax out of the elements.

Enclosed Shoes Policy: To ensure safety on our farm, all visitors are advised to wear enclosed shoes, especially when walking through our educational garden.

We are actively improving our infrastructure to enhance accessibility and inclusivity. Upcoming features include:

• Wheelchair-Accessible Bathrooms: A disability-friendly toilet will be installed to provide easier access for guests with mobility impairments.
• Farm Shop: We are in the process of building an onsite facility to allow visitors to explore and purchase our handmade products while enjoying an open, inclusive space for community gatherings.
• More Pathways & Seating Areas: We are developing accessible pathways throughout the farm to ensure easier mobility for all guests.

• Culturally Inclusive Tours: Our tours provide an authentic, respectful experience that celebrates Aboriginal culture, traditions and knowledge in an inclusive way.
• Sensory-Friendly Experiences: Visitors can explore at their own pace and engage in hands-on activities in a calm, natural setting.
• Engaging for All Ages: Our tours and workshops are designed to be interactive, educational, and suitable for all generations—from children to elders.
• Assistance Animals Welcome: Visitors with guide dogs or assistance animals are welcome to bring them onto the property.

• Continuous Improvement: We actively seek feedback from guests to identify areas where we can improve accessibility.
• Education & Awareness: We ensure that our team is trained to assist visitors of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Inclusive Communication: We provide clear, easy-to-understand information on our website, in our booking process, and during our tours.

• We prioritise sourcing ingredients, materials and services from local Aboriginal communities and local suppliers.
• When we cannot grow certain bushfoods on our farm, we source fruits from remote Aboriginal communities first, followed by local farmers who share our values of no harmful chemicals, no toxic sprays and sustainable farming.
• We collaborate with local businesses, cafes and markets to expand access to native foods and increase awareness of Australian bushfoods.

Indigenous Business Events & Markets: We regularly participate in Indigenous business expos, cultural markets, and regional trade events to promote awareness of bushfoods and sustainable Indigenous enterprises.

BBIEC & Intellectual Property Protection: Founders Tracey and Doug are co-founders of the BBIEC (Bushfoods & Botanicals Indigenous Economic Collective), advocating for the protection of Indigenous knowledge, intellectual property, and fair trade in the bushfoods industry.

WIPO Bushfoods Pilot Program: Tracey is actively involved in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Bushfoods Pilot Program, co-designing IP protection strategies for Indigenous bushfood growers and businesses.

• We host eco-tours and workshops to educate visitors on sustainable farming, bushfoods and Aboriginal land management practices.
• Our hands-on programs teach individuals how to implement sustainable agriculture techniques in their own homes, encouraging food sovereignty and self-sufficiency.
• We collaborate with schools, universities and research institutions to support education on native food sustainability and conservation.

Australia Day Contributions: We proudly cater for local Australia Day celebrations, providing guests with a taste of authentic, native Australian cuisine.

QTIC & Southern Queensland Country Tourism: As financial members of these organisations, we actively support initiatives that boost sustainable tourism, economic development, and Indigenous-led businesses in Queensland.

Lockyer Valley & Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce: We are engaged members, advocating for small businesses, sustainable agriculture, and Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Smart Farm Project: We collaborate with UQ Long Pocket on the Smart Farm Project, developing solar-powered, replicable farming solutions that can be implemented in remote Aboriginal communities to support food security and economic growth.

Tree Planting & Land Regeneration: Our reforestation initiatives, Adopt A Tree, help restore soil health, protect native species, and enhance biodiversity.

Feral Animal Control: We actively manage invasive species, such as feral cats, wild dogs and hares, to protect native wildlife and maintain ecological balance.

Cultural Site Restoration: Our property is home to a women’s boora ring, which we are working to restore and preserve for future generations. We also contribute to the preservation effects of indigenous artifacts.