This book discusses the ecological network: the web of corridors, across both countryside and suburbs, that retain features and species of the pre-European landscape. These corridors make possible the spread of indigenous plants and the migratory movements of animals. They also provide a rich biodiversity, in which sustainable food production can take place. The book is based on investigations, reading, field trips over a number of recent years, and the author's subsequent reflections.The book has six parts. The first part considers the cultural context-our contested relationship with the land. The author argues that if we are to live sustainably on the earth then we need to know it intimately-in its web of connections, and in its history.Part 2 gives an example of an ecological corridor in rural central Victoria and then looks at the relevance of such networks to regenerative farming.The greater part of the book (Parts 3 and 4) considers the Melbourne metropolitan area, exploring the Plenty River corridor and its extension downstream along the Yarra River. This includes detailed observations at some of the sites and also a number of photos.Part 5 discusses the connection between the ecological network and sustainable food production in the suburbs.Part 6 looks at questions of values-and the connections between ecology, justice and wisdom.

Includes bibliographical references.