Selina Gauder
2024 | Horticulture
“As the world faces an ecological crisis, I truly believe horticultural knowledge can play a vital role in tackling some of the challenges.”
I began gardening during lockdowns to practice mindfulness. I quickly discovered the healing power of observing and interacting with plants. I was completely captivated and decided to shift my career to be plant-centric. I began working part-time at a retail nursery and started my Certificate III in Horticulture. Since then the lens through which I view the world has completely changed. I now see each plant playing a vital role in an intricate web of life.
As the world faces an ecological crisis, I truly believe horticultural knowledge can play a vital role in tackling some of the challenges. Deliberate and conscious horticultural practice can strengthen climate resilience and improve biodiversity. This extends beyond plants to land management, soil health, maintaining wildlife and insect populations and even the health of our own communities.
My Global Footprints Scholarship is an invaluable opportunity to kickstart my horticulture career. By working abroad, I hope to deepen my understanding of horticulture in a global context. I would love to learn more about innovative practice that prioritises sustainability. My goal would then be to implement this within an Australian context. I hope this scholarship will open doors to connect me with like-minded individuals that share my hopes for a better greener world.
A Global Footprints Scholarship is your opportunity to do more of what you love. What have you done so far at work that you are proud of or passionate about?
Working in a retail nursery has given me a unique opportunity to educate my local community about sustainable garden practices. I get to share my passion for plants in a way that I believe can truly make a difference. I love advising on plant choices in customers’ gardens, ensuring the best possible fit. I encourage customers to work with the soil holistically, often redirecting them away from synthetic fertilisers and instead to organic options. I strongly encourage customers to compost, empowering them to utilise their waste more effectively. I provide guidance on water-wise gardening and how to use integrated pest management as a more sustainable approach. This helps people minimise their environmental impact while promoting biodiversity and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems. I have also recently started working in therapeutic gardening as a disability support worker, gaining practical skills of gardening and implementing theory that I have learnt in class. It has been incredibly rewarding to facilitate a connection to plants with my clients.
A Global Footprints Scholarship is for you if you are passionate about creating a sustainable future. Describe something you have done at work or are working on, that helps the environment. Why is it important to you?
My role at the nursery involves choosing the plant selection to sell. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Since I started working there, I have prioritised improving plant diversity. I have expanded our native range and always ensure local indigenous plant species are available. I try to prioritise plants adapted to local climatic conditions to aid in conserving water resources. I rotate options regularly and choose rarer and unusual plants when possible. I also prioritise plants that provide habitat and are pollinator friendly. Ensuring year round flowering options is very important to provide consistent food for insects and birds. I believe that I empower the community to improve their gardens by offering plant diversity. I have also volunteered at the Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-op (VINC). It was very special to support the preservation and propagation of locally indigenous plant species. It taught me to appreciate characteristics of plants beyond ornamental value. I am proud to directly participate in conserving biodiversity and helping to protect vulnerable local ecosystems.
As a BBM Scholar you can choose to go anywhere in the world. Where will you travel with your Scholarship and why?
Europe provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about innovative approaches to sustainable gardening, urban greening, conservation and ecological restoration. I find the EU’s strong focus on environmental stewardship very inspiring.
I would love to have the opportunity to work at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Not only does it have a remarkable international collection of plants, it is exceptionally committed to sustainability. I am very interested in their emphasis on implementing nature-based solutions. I am also curious to learn more about how they will achieve their Climate Positive by 2030 initiative. Another inspiring organisation is the Eden Project in Cornwall.
I am very keen to learn about the horticultural techniques used to establish and maintain the biome domes. Furthermore, understanding the Eden Project's strategies to educate the public would greatly enhance my knowledge and skills in promoting a sustainable future locally.
"Selina has demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainability, leadership, and community engagement through her significant projects and professional achievements. Her passion for permaculture and clear vision for utilising the scholarship to learn from innovative projects makes her a deserving candidate. She has the potential to drive impactful changes in sustainable agricultural practices and inspire others in their field.”
–Global Footprints Assessor Panel