TMI Research Coordiantor Luke Peel instructing students on Landscape Function Analsys

At The Mulloon Institute, we pride ourselves on the rigour of our methodologies, observations and analysis, and during September there was much of that on show through our work with the Australian National University (ANU).

For many years now, TMI and MCNF has invited ANU’s Environmental Field School students to come and study various aspects of our properties and our repair and rehydration. Early in September about 40 ANU students spent two days with activities focused on woodland areas, the floodplain and at a soil pit studying soil structures, biota, function and profile. They also assessed previously constructed brush piles and made multiple Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) measurements under the guidance of our Scientific Research Co-ordinator, Luke Peel.

Landscape Function Analysis being conducted

Luke’s expertise in LFA has been well recognised by the students and their supervisor, Dr David Freudenberger, highlighted the fact that over 160 students have visited Mulloon to do this scientific work over the past four years. David often asks students which activities stood out to them in their study, to which he said, "LFA is a common answer. They consistently mention that they now look at the ground beneath their feet in new ways. I expect we’re building a legacy of landscape literacy”.

That’s a wonderful endorsement of what the students are learning as part of their scientific studies out in the field at The Mulloon Institute.