Nature Euphoria
sharing adventure and sustainability
Nature Euphoria seeks to inspire adventure, appreciation, and care for nature and sustainable living. Follow Leigh’s journey as he explores the world and shares stories about nature, adventure, and sustainability!
I would like to acknowledge and pay my respect to all the traditional custodians of this country. I would also like to acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded, and to extend my gratitude for your protection of this land.
The Yea River Project
‘The Yea River Project’ is an environmental awareness and regeneration project along the Yea river that will connect and engage the community with environmental groups, and young people to learn about and enhance the riverine environment along the Yea River.
The Yea River Project (YRP) will be delivered as a series of events at various locations on the Yea River, the project will see the collaboration of community members, environment groups and school students participating in revegetation, track building and maintenance, interpretive signage creation and installation, and more. The project will enhance the health and awareness of the Yea river catchment while creating better access and ecotourism potential along the river.
My Blog
Read about my adventures, thoughts and environmental issues here.
In the Otways
Within Victoria, there is a place where the forest meets the sea. A never ending road snakes along the coastline of the Southern ocean, giant waves crashing in full view as you wind your way along the edge of an ancient patch of forest. Once connected to the Tasmanian forests pre mainland separation over 11,000 years ago, this place instantly captures your attention. The Otways is a unique place, where you can be driving through the belly of the rainforest, and then pop out over a ridgeline and see in clear view down to the sea’s horizon.
Misty Mountain Forest – Toolangi – Alana Mountain
A 28k adventure began. Slowly meandering through Toolangi forest, with nothing but time and laughter, wet mountain ash bark stood starkly, like ribbons of colours, gentle jades, browns, slivered silvers, oranges and tans against the bright greens of the fern gullies and mosses creeping across fallen trees, entangled in an understorey alive with fungi and content rainforest critters.
A break in the journey
After a few days of resting and contemplation by the river, I had some big decisions to make. With a broken canoe and stage three restrictions coming into place (to prevent the spread of COVID-19) the potential to continue my paddle journey down the rivers was dwindling.
Southern Island Nature – Forests
he diversity of green is beyond words and the combination of ferns, mosses, fungi, sassafras, celery top, and vines mosaic the understory cathedral. In the old growth of the Tarkine, you feel small, yet so connected to the world around, this truly natural place is worth more than wood chips!
A snag in the river – Mishaps around Shepparton
Upon reaching Shepparton, things began to change, from the depth of the deep river, winding from Murchison we slowly emerged back into civilisation. Pirate rafts, fridges and cars in the river and trees indicated this.
From the river to the lake and back to the river again
The river flows into lake Nagambie; as the water begins to flow slower and the river grows wider, inundating the banks and spanning across the landscape. The meandering river transforms into a vast body of water that lays by the rural town of Nagambie, forming lagoons and peninsulars, wetlands and marshlands that at times seem more familiar to Louisiana than Victoria.
Reflections from the river – A shared journey from Seymour to Shepparton – Alice Hardinge
A Sacred Kingfisher darts under a small silver wattle, crouching over the bank in the golden light of early evening. He joins a friend, together they sing and sway on a branch overhanging the water, as we slowly pass by in silent reverie.
The confluence – joining the Goulburn river and my canoe
Floating down the river as it runs through Murrindindi shire, a place so familiar to me, is the perfect way to settle into my new lifestyle and anticipate the long journey ahead.
Down the Yea river
I left my backyard Thursday morning on a small sit-on-top kayak, and it was a good choice swapping out my large fiberglass canoe for a more maneuverable craft to navigate the Yea river.
About Leigh Redding and Nature Euphoria
Leigh is on a journey; born in the rivers and mountains. Meandering through the late Anthropocene and wandering from billabongs to concrete jungles, exploring the amazing planet we call our home; Earth. Leigh is an adventurer, naturalist and environmentalist with the desire to share the amazing places he goes, engage with the incredible people he meets along the way, and spread a message of sustainable living and adventure through connecting to the natural world around us.
Leigh is an outdoor educator and wilderness guide by trade. He created Nature Euphoria as a means to reach out to communities, share and build ideas of sustainability and a culture of creating experiences which connects us back to the natural world.
Contact Leigh
Send me a message or comment. I will reply as soon as possible