We Grow

In this episode, host Aleisha Keating discusses why long-term thinking is the secret to transforming native ecosystems. Sharing insights about some of the native species in South East Queensland, Aleisha describes how different species play different roles in ecosystem restoration, growing at varying speeds and living to different ages. You'll hear about the stages of ecosystem recovery, from...

In this episode, host Aleisha Keating discusses a disturbing trend of declining water quality in one of her local river catchments. You'll learn about the vital role catchments play in water quality as Aleisha chats about: What a catchment is The contribution of different landuses to water quality The positive impacts from increasing native vegetation cover around waterways Reasons you might care...

In this episode, host Aleisha Keating chats to Dr. Chris Johnson, a transport ecologist. Chris shares is experiences from working in the industry, research and being involved in community projects. With over fifteen years in community-based environmental leadership, Chris works at the nexus of ecological restoration, infrastructure planning and environmental management. You'll hear about: 🦅Ch...

In Episode 17, host Aleisha Keating discusses why private properties are so important to enhancing connectivity across the landscape. You'll hear about: What wildlife corridors are How animals and birds use corridors to move across the landscape. Some of the reasons why corridors are fragmented Why privately owned and managed properties are important to help restore ecosystems in these corrido...

Host Aleisha Keating chats with Angelica Choppin, a sustainability and systems strategist who works at the intersection of finance, business operations and circular economy thinking. She is talented at bringing a commercially balanced perspective to sustainability, helping businesses understand how environmental outcomes connect to cashflow, efficiency and long-term resilience. In this episode you...

In this episode, Aleisha chats about tackling invasive weeds and how this process offers surprising lessons for organisational success. Drawing from her hands on experience working on managing a 55-hectare property in Queensland, Aleisha shares how clearing invasive species like lantana mirror common organisational challenges. Just as weeds overwhelm native plants, outdated systems and processes a...

Welcome to 2026! In this episode of the We Grow podcast, host Aleisha Keating kicks off 2026 with a fresh perspective on biodiversity, community and nature restoration. Aleisha shares insights from her recent career transition and reflects on the podcast's journey over the past year. She considers what perspectives and ideas the podcast could share this coming year and what we need to learn as...

In Episode 13, host Aleisha Keating explores why "less is more" in the environmental sector. She examines the challenges of large-scale environmental projects and the benefits of focusing on smaller, high-quality initiatives. Through insightful examples, she highlights how sustainable, manageable efforts can lead to greater long-term impact and keep the passionate individuals in the sect...

In this episode, We Grow podcast host Aleisha Keating chats with Megan Ruby Lee a printmaker and community facilitator. We explore her inspiring journey from childhood experiences in nature, co-founding Intrepid Landcare to her leadership in collaborative artistic exploration. Hear about Megan's experiences in youth leadership, community engagement, and conservation. Discover how her art and envir...

In this episode, host Aleisha Keating delves into the essence of effective environmental leadership. Drawing on inspiration from past guests of the We Grow podcast, Aleisha explores the profound connection between nature and environmental leadership, arguing that everyone is a leader in their own right. Through personal stories and insights, discover how a series of small actions can contribute to...

In this inspiring episode, Aleisha chats with Kurt Jones, the dynamic founder and CEO of Co-Exist Australia, a groundbreaking youth-led conservation movement. Learn how Kurt transformed a high school business assignment into a national not-for-profit organisation that empowers young Australians to connect with nature and lead local conservation efforts. While only a few years young, Co-Exist has n...

In this conversation, Aleisha chats to Cindy Fielding-Smith, a beeswax candle maker and budding natural beekeeper, who shares about her passion for bees. Cindy talks about the unique qualities of beeswax candles, bees' natural cycles and how humans have been disrupting them and bee health and their decline. We explore the importance of bees to human survival, how bees are adaptive, resilient a...

In this episode, Aleisha chats with Jarrah Small, a 16 year old conservationist, wildlife rescuer and environmental educatorfrom Noosa. From a young age, Jarrah has been passionate about protecting wildlife and the environment from plastic pollution and other human created threats. She is involved in a variety practical community initiatives, giving educational presentations in schools and creatin...

Phil has been involved in natural resource management for over 30 years and is a passionate advocate for the environment. He recently retired from his role as General Manager at Noosa and District Landcare Group, where he oversaw 70 staff and a large volunteer base who carry out landcare activities throughout the Noosa region. Aleisha chats to him about how his career progressed from hospitality m...

In this episode, Aleisha speaks with Linda Barnes and David Mackenzie from Queensland Koala Crusaders, both passionate advocates for koalas. Koalas, classified as endangered in several Australia states, are facing extinction due to a number of threats. Linda and David share some of their personal stories with meeting koalas in the wild and how the reality of their plight galvanized them into actio...

In Australia, we are currently seeing a huge growth in renewable energy projects as part of the country's response to climate change, particularly the expansion of solar and wind generation. Alongside this, there are an increasing number of native flora and fauna species being identified as threatened. This episode explores Australia's commitments to addressing both climate change and biodiveristy...

Jay Ridgewell is a nature and forest therapy (also called forest bathing), with an extensive background in education and science communication. Jay runs Held Outside at locations around the Sunshine Coast, faciliating opportunities for people to connect (or reconnect) with themselves, nature and community. In this conversation, Jay shares about nature therapy and her role as a guide. We also discu...

In this episode I chat with Councillor Tim Burns, who is the      Sunshine Coast Council Division 3 Councillor, for the Sunshine Coast Council in Queensland, Australia. Tim also shares the    Environment and liveability portfolio. We discuss the recently released Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report, its positive aspects and the challenges we face to support biodiversity in a region with a rapidly g...

Biodiversity explained: Aleisha asks a few 'What if?' questions. What if we were to lose some or all of the species that are currently at risk of extinction? This episode begins with Aleisha guiding a short grounding practice as an invitation to connect with the land beneath you and yourself. Following this, she explores: 🌳The current situation - plant and animal species at risk 🌳What an ecosyst...

Welcome to the We Grow podcast, a podcast all about planting trees, restoring native ecosystems, community and making a difference in your local area. Meet your host Aleisha Keating, an environmental practitioner with almost 20 years experience, as she shares her vision for humanity to recognise nature as part of our community. We hope this podcast will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to...