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Image: Dr Jasmin Packer and Dr Rossi von der Borch (SA Life)Ìý

At Brownhill Creek, the answer lies in a unique collaboration between conservationists, ecologists, and community members, where protecting biodiversity means thinking beyond the obvious.

In a recent article for , Environment Institute member , a conservation biologist, unpacked more about the novel encounter that united The Bee Hub team, and the Bandi Bush Care group.

Brownhill Creek is home to a thriving population of Southern Brown Bandicoots, discovered by Dr Packer and her students one morning surveying the area. This find was unexpected given Brownhill Creek Recreation Park is a very popular and lies within a and high-traffic area filled with cyclists, people, and even dogs.

Due to the surprise discovery, it became a prioroity for Dr Rossi von der Borch at The Bee Hub and Dr Packer to enrich the bandicoot habitat. By working together, they’ve been able to form the Bandi Bush Care group, with support across schools, local groups, and University of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. The group’s focus is a gentle approach to habitat regeneration, enhancing existing native plants like Wallaby grass, gum seedlings, and wattles, over widespread new plantings. Protection measures for the native flora consist of simple wire fencing and mulching emerging native plants.

As the park utilised by so many people, the efforts of The Bee Hub and Bandi Bush Care group show how groups can come together and have a positive impact on preserving biodiversity. By identifying solutions as to how dogs have coexisted with the bandicoots, this resulted in a collaboration research paper on dog behaviour in natural areas, with findings for practical solutions like installing dog gates and leash reminders to reduce wildlife disruption.

The role of blackberries have played a surprising, yet fundamental in the protection for bandicoots from predators as they’re considered invasive, yet defend the bandicoots from predators like foxes and dogs. Dr Packer and Dr Rossi aim to slowly replace blackberries with native thorny species like Rubus parvifolius (native raspberry), that offer similar protective benefits.

Jasmin holds deep roots to Brownhill Creek as her family has a five-generation history with the land as they lived and farmed in the area. This empowers her own personal mission to repair and reduce the environmental harm.

Together, The Bee Hub and Bandi Bush Care group are fostering environmental stewardship and cross-cultural learning. Through partnerships with the Kaurna people, they honor traditional custodianship and embed cultural knowledge into conservation efforts. The Bee Hub also promotes inclusive community engagement through foraging programs, biodiversity education, and seasonal honey production, offering a taste of the valley's natural richness.