Beyond Bunya Dieback: A Composite Article Regarding Safeguarding the Cultural and Ecological Connections of the Bunya Tree to Country

Robyn Fox; Karen Shaw; Spencer Shaw; Aunty Zeitha Jalamala Murphy; Mita Harris; Pierre Loiseau; Rachael Sanderson; Jono Bateman

doi:10.1017/aee.2025.10117

Back

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Beyond Bunya Dieback: A Composite Article Regarding Safeguarding the Cultural and Ecological Connections of the Bunya Tree to Country

Robyn Fox, Karen Shaw, Spencer Shaw, Aunty Zeitha Jalamala Murphy, Mita Harris, Pierre Loiseau, Rachael Sanderson and Jono Bateman

Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Vol.Advanced access

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2025.10117

Files and links (1)

PDF

BEYOND~21.40 MBDownload View

Published Version (Advanced Access) Open Access CC BY V4.0

Abstract

active hope

Bunya tree (Araucaria bidwillii)

commuity action

composite paper

dieback

phytophthora

self-funded

Responding to our shared concern about the plight of the Bunya tree (Araucaria bidwillii) due to dieback caused by soil-borne pathogens, this composite article brings together narrative reflections from eight contributors, who respond to prompts on confronting dieback through their unique lived experiences and professional practices. The responses offer insights for advocating a voice for the Bunya tree whilst safeguarding its cultural and ecological significance through education, advocacy, and agency. This article presents five insights gleaned from our collective responses. These are 1. honour traditional knowledge and custodianship; 2. build collaborative networks and capacity to respond to ecological decline; 3. leverage art for ecological awareness and action. 4. empower community and business leadership; 5. catalyse awareness into action. These insights are offered not as definitive solutions but as a framework for thinking and acting that may support navigating the challenges of tree dieback and regenerative forest practices.

Details

Title: Beyond Bunya Dieback: A Composite Article Regarding Safeguarding the Cultural and Ecological Connections of the Bunya Tree to Country
Authors: Robyn Fox (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary Access
Karen Shaw (Author) - BTE-AU
Spencer Shaw (Author) - BTE-AU
Aunty Zeitha Jalamala Murphy (Author)
Mita Harris (Author)
Pierre Loiseau - WFE-AU
Rachael Sanderson - WFE-AU
Jono Bateman (Author)
Publication details: Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
DOI: 10.1017/aee.2025.10117
ISSN: 2049-775X
Copyright note: © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Association for Environmental Education. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Organisation Unit: School of Education and Tertiary Access
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991200751002621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

3 File views/ downloads

9 Record Views

1 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Education & Educational Research