From the Ashes

April 19, 2020

The Arboretum Ride

A Phoenix Project

In early 2003 beautiful Canberra was devastated by a catastrophic bushfire. Four people died, 500 houses were burnt and about 90% of the Australian Capital Territory was incinerated. The western side of the city was in ruin and the countryside was scorched to the horizon. Many resources were destroyed included an historic observatory and thousands of hectares of pine forest plantations.
That was seventeen years ago, and now there’s little visible evidence remaining of the 2003 fires.

Today’s ride was to a site, The National Arboretum, which was established as a reconstruction project after the fires. Rather than simply replant pine trees where the plantations had been, the bushfire recovery authorities had the brilliant idea of planting an Arboretum, an international collection of living trees. It has developed into one of the most scenic and popular locations near Canberra.

The National Arboretum is a great example of turning a catastrophe into a positive opportunity.