JCU Community Garden: Mayi Tjulbin Ma Bugarra 2018

JCU Community Garden: Mayi Tjulbin Ma Bugarra

The James Cook University (JCU) community garden seeks to provide an attractive dynamic and engaging space where the University and broader Cairns community can come together and raise awareness and interest about sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. ‘Mayi Tjulbin Ma Bugarra’ enables individuals to remember what vital, nutritious produce looks, smells, and tastes like.

Thank you to Djabugay Traditional Owners for giving the JCU Cairns Community Garden its language name, ‘Mayi Tjulbin Ma Bugarra’. The name translates to ‘food and fruits, vegetables, trees and berries from the rainforest’ and covers all the clans of the Djabugay Nation (James Cook University, 2018).
Students, staff and community members can visit the community garden as a rejuvenating study break; a place to socialise and de-stress; learn about permaculture; food systems and community development.

The garden is located on the JCU campus grounds providing immediate walkable access for staff and students, especially those living on campus in high-density unit style accommodation. The garden provides space and expertise to support community to participate in the processes of growing, harvesting and eating produce that many would not typically be able to engage with otherwise.
A full case study can be found at the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design.