The Practitioner

The practitioner: Geoff Nichols

by Paolo Candotti

Since leaving his post at the municipality in 1996 Geoff has worked as an environmental consultant focusing primarily on indigenous landscaping and restoration ecology – in some cases involving rebuilding indigenous habitats previously destroyed by commercial monocultures. It is in this work that he is able to merge all his knowledge and skills to develop habitats that acknowledge the human presence but at the same time show respect for nature.

Geoff stresses the importance of basics in restoration ecology: “don’t worry about rare and special species, focus on getting the common ones established – the specials will come and feel at home later when the habitat is right.”

While his own garden contains many exotic species, Geoff is a strong supporter of planting indigenous species and his restoration and landscaping work is almost exclusively indigenous. “I am a horticulturist, I am a practitioner and they all have a place and meaning for me.”

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