You Me Nature Now - Mindful Meander - Gungahlin Hill Nature Reserve

You Me Nature Now is a community group for young people (aged 18-30) who are passionate about connecting with and caring for our local environment. The group gets together for walks, talks, and hands on activities in nature, working alongside local Landcare groups to monitor, protect and conserve the natural assets of the ACT. 

Take a guided mindful meander through Gungahlin Hill Nature Reserve at dusk. Let the urban noise fall away and be replaced by birdsong as the quiet stillness of this beautiful pocket of bush envelops you in its embrace. Time in nature has been shown to restore attention, improve working memory, stimulate creative thinking, and regulate the nervous system. Better still, connecting with others in nature has been shown to multiply these benefits. 

We'll take a bushland loop through subtly shifting terrain - past an old quarry/pond, along narrow paths and down into neighbouring Gungaderra Grassland. This reserve is also home to some wizened and majestic scribbly gums, marked by fire scars and warped with age, their towering stature represents resilience through struggle. There is much comfort and inspiration to be found in this place. 

There'll be time for personal contemplation through your own individual sit spot practice, and space for shared discussion through creative group activities. These are all about slowing down, tuning into our surroundings, activating our senses, and noticing the little details.

Wayfinding
The reserve entrance is located on the corner of Cocoparra Crescent and Nuleri Street (see map for reference). Bus routes are 8 and 23. For those without a car, you could join the WhatsApp group to arrange a carpool or make your way to Gungahlin town centre for a lift. Please allow enough time travel to site/find a park (suburban streets so take care not to block residential access to driveways etc), then make your way to the meet point so we can set of promptly at 4:30pm and make the most of our time together. 

Access
There is a small A-frame step ladder (approx 6 steps up and down over the fence) to access the reserve. Tracks are unsealed with uneven surfaces and mild gradients at times. Please wear enclosed shoes, sun protection and bring a water bottle to keep hydrated. We are allowing 2hrs for the loop walk through the reserve.

A reminder will be sent closer to the time via email. If the weather isn't conducive for walking, we will postpone to another date, you will be notified on the morning of the walk if this is the case, otherwise you can assume the walk is going ahead as planned. 

You Me Nature Now is supported by the 2024-2025 ACT Government's Environment Grants program. You can join the community on WhatsApp or sign up to our mailing list via our website. 

Enquiries can be directed to Sally via email to sally.holliday@landcareact.org.au