Dr Judy is the founder of PlantingSeeds, an organisation dedicated to restoring urban biodiversity and empowering communities to protect the natural world around them.
From planting in schools, corporates and suburban verges, creating habitats for pollinators – to inspiring everyday people to take action, Dr Judy’s work is helping to make our neighbourhoods healthier, greener, cooler and more resilient. As a proud Westfield Local Hero, she is using the platform to grow awareness of environmental issues and build stronger connections between people and the places they live.
Q: For readers meeting you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself and the mission behind PlantingSeeds?
A: PlantingSeeds is all about how the individual and groups can work towards greening our suburbs and cities to support threatened plants and pollinators and cool down our neighbourhoods. Through our flagship project, the B&B Highway – Beds and Breakfasts for Birds, Bees and Biodiversity – our expert educators work with schools, corporations and community groups to plant, install pollinator habitats and teach about urban regeneration and citizen science. We are supported by the Department of Education and the CSIRO’s Atlas of Living Australia as well as numerous universities. Starting with six B&Bs in one part of Sydney, we now have over 240 B&Bs in four States. So the regenerative corridors are joining the dots, connecting people, plants and pollinators and empowering urban dwellers to do really practical things for the environment. And, of course, learn as well.
I am a child of Sydney who remembers playing in the bush, collecting cicada shells, watching tadpoles grow into frogs and hearing birdsong everywhere. I am also a newspaper journalist, academic and advocate who passionately believes that the everyday person can do so much to help threatened urban species, and in doing so regenerate our cities and suburbs and even make them cooler places to live.
It’s all about learning what nature is around you, how to help it and working together to create regenerative highways. The bigger the B&B Highway is, the more powerful and effective it becomes.
Q: What first sparked your passion for protecting urban biodiversity and supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies?
A: It started with my magical childhood – where nature was my playground and leaves, sunshine and shadows, branches, insects, birds, creeks and rockpools were all that was needed to be happy. Later, as a journalist, I worked at The Sydney Morning Herald writing about environmental issues and then as a television producer. I could not understand why more people were not alarmed about what I was learning and reporting on. It was apparent decades ago that climate change was a huge issue and there was a steep loss in biodiversity. Doing a PhD at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney developed my thinking and approach and highlighted how we need research, words and actions that are scalable. People often don’t realise that Australian urban areas support nearly 50 per cent of significant fauna and about one quarter of significant flora.
That, in a nutshell, is the concept behind PlantingSeeds’ B&B Highway. It protects and grows our urban biodiversity and brings together people, plants and pollinators. It’s practical, educational and scalable to empower the individual and groups. People love bees and birds and want to know how to help them. And by helping them, we can help other species including ourselves.
Q: What did it mean to you personally, and to PlantingSeeds — to be awarded the title of a Westfield Local Hero?
A: Westfield is another urban oasis in many ways. Even though nature is a big part of a happy life, we don’t have to live in the bush. It’s all about balance – something that is lacking these days. Westfield is the place where my mum and I would meet to have lunch. My kids would spend time there meeting friends and worked there while at school and uni. Westfield is a big part of the urban landscape. So I am very happy to be a Westfield Local Hero and spread the word about urban regeneration through its connections and sense of place.
Q: How has the program helped amplify your work or connect you with new supporters?
A: So many people I know have reached out to congratulate me and PlantingSeeds on the Westfield Local Hero award. And also – people I don’t know. When I was in Westfield recently helping with a charity event – Christmas gift wrapping – there were many who came up to me and told me they voted for me. They said they really relate to the cause and want to help green our cities and suburbs and encourage children and adults to connect to nature again. The social media posts have also amplified our cause and programs. Media is of course a great way to engage people – as long as we match it with actions.
Q: How have you been involved with your local Westfield destination through the Local Heroes program, and what has that partnership meant for your organisation and the wider community?
A: It was quite significant to be associated with and promote PlantingSeeds through Westfield Bondi Junction because it is a place that has really featured in my family life. Promoting the Westfield Local Hero program and helping out with a charity event brought me in contact with so many people who I could chat to about PlantingSeeds. Westfield is a great place for connection and people power. PlantingSeeds may now be in four States but it had its genesis in the Bondi area with our first B&Bs in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. So, the Hero program has extra significance this way. And now, the funding will help more schools and places around Westfield Bondi Junction and be a platform for other Westfields to be regenerative hubs. As I said earlier, it’s about balance – people, places and pollinators to help urban regeneration and urban cooling.
Q: What would you say to someone thinking about nominating a local hero in their own community?
A: Please just do it. A friend’s daughter nominated me and I am so thankful for it. It has led to wonderful opportunities and a way to get our message out there. The whole process is really professional but super simple.
Westfield Local Heroes Nominations are now open! Do you know someone who is a changemaker like Dr Judy? Do they go above and beyond for their local community? Nominate them today for a Westfield Local Heroes grant.
Westfield Local Heroes is a recognition and awards program that shines the spotlight on individuals in Australia and New Zealand who make a positive impact to their local community or environment. Every year, Westfield recognise more than 120 Westfield Local Hero finalists across Australia and New Zealand.
Over the past eight years, they have discovered and celebrated 991 individuals and provided over $9.8 million in community grants to their organisations.
Community members nominate their heroes, and three finalists are selected for each Westfield destination to go through to the community vote. The successful hero for each of the 42 Westfield destinations is awarded a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent, and each finalist receives a $5,000 grant for their organisation or group.
Nominations close Thursday 12 March 2026. More information about the program visit HERE.
*Westfield Local Heroes grants are provided in Australian and New Zealand dollars. Total grants in 2026 up to $AUD1.25m.
