Brain on Nature Sarah Allely

Every weekend, and some weekdays too, you'll find Mudcrabs along the banks of the Cooks River. Not crustaceans, although they're slowly returning as their habitat is restored, but a group of dedicated volunteers who are rehabilitating what was once the most polluted river in Australia. With prosthetic pincers, they pick up rubbish from in and around the river. They plant trees and shrubs to revegetate bushland that's been lost, and weed and protect the new bush. This episode documents how the Mudcrabs have rehabilitated the Cooks River, and how the benefits flow two ways. For many Mudcrabs, their work connects them with natural world and improves their own health and wellbeing too. 
This episode was made on the lands of the Gadigal/Wangal people.
It was supported by an Inner West Council Environment grant. Special thanks to all the Mudcrabs we spoke to. To find out more about the Mudcrabs, and to get involved, visit www.crva.org.au/mudcrabs

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A playgroup in Sydney is turning despair about the planet's future into hope by taking action and connecting with people who share their concerns and motivations. Rosa Brown, mum and English teacher, set up the Inner West Families For Climate Action playgroup. She decided to foster connections with other new local parents, and hopes this group will encourage deeper conversations and committed action around climate and the environment.
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I wake up on the road in intense pain. I don’t know what’s happened. Who are these people? Where am I? Why is my right shoulder killing me? But it’s only when I get home from the hospital that the extent of my injuries start to emerge. I can’t read, I can listen to music, I can’t be around my family. What's happening?
Production credits
Writer and producer: Sarah Allely
Co-Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Sound design: Ariana Martinez
https://brainonnature.com/2019/09/05/the-accident-episode-1/

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The injury makes me reflect on what the load on my brain was like before the accident. I’m a journalist, my head’s full of work. I manage our household, wrangle our kids – they’re two and five years old. We don’t have any other family in Australia. My partner’s frantic running his arts organisation. I still keep a busy social life. I love late nights out in hectic loud bars drinking with friends. But after the accident I can’t do any of this!


Production credits
Writer and producer: Sarah Allely
Co-Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Sound design: Ariana Martinez


https://brainonnature.com/2019/09/09/episode-2-the-waiting-room/

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Finally, I get a diagnosis. The doctors tell me I have what they’re calling ‘a mild traumatic brain injury’. And there’s not much that they can do about it. They encourage me to just accept my situation. Then, some friends invite me on a bushwalk.
Production credits
Writer and producer: Sarah Allely
Co-Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Sound design: Ariana Martinez
https://brainonnature.com/2019/09/09/episode-3-if-symptoms-persist-accept/

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I’m racing towards the finish line. I’m almost better! I try to get back to my normal life, but something’s still not quite right. And then, all of a sudden, things start to unravel. Surely this isn’t happening. I’m nearly better, remember? I find Cait Ward, who had similar experiences after being hit with a lacrosse ball.


Production credits
Writer and producer: Sarah Allely
Co-Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Sound design: Ariana Martinez



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.