At Bush Harvest Co, the earth isn’t just where we grow our ingredients – it’s where our story begins, and where it continues to unfold each day. Long before our skincare reached your shelf, it was soil, seed, and sun. It was morning light over misty paddocks, hands in the dirt, and native trees slowly recovering from years of neglect.
Now, six years into farming, we find ourselves reflecting on what it means to care for Country – not just on Earth Day, but every single day.
This day is a chance for all of us to pause, look around, and reconnect with what truly matters. It’s a reminder of our shared
responsibility to tread gently and give more than we take. For us, Earth Day is a reaffirmation of the path we’ve chosen – to build a brand that honours the natural world, protects the land we live on, and nurtures our skin using ingredients grown in harmony with nature.
A New Chapter on Old Land
Six years ago, we took over a 45-acre property in the Northern Rivers hinterland. When we first arrived, it was clear the land had been through a lot. The finger lime orchards, once full of potential, had fallen into neglect. Many of the trees were unhealthy, weeds had taken hold, and the soil was compacted and tired.
But beneath the chaos, there was something sacred. The bones of an orchard still stood. The native species held on, and with them, a quiet invitation to become caretakers, not just farmers.
We inherited more than just land. We inherited responsibility. So, we began a long and often difficult process of restoration.
We installed new irrigation. We nursed the finger lime trees back to health. We dealt with years of drought followed by years of intense wet and flooding. Slowly, we reintroduced balance – removing trees beyond saving, planting new ones, and working with nature instead of fighting it.
Now, years later, the land is still challenging to maintain, but we see signs of our hard work coming to fruition. Our finger limes are producing more fruit, the soil is alive, and our relationship with this place has deepened in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It’s this intimate connection – between us and the land – that shapes every Bush Harvest Co product.
What Earth Day Means to Us
Earth Day serves as a beautiful reminder of the impact our everyday choices have – on the planet, on each other, and on future generations. But for us, the heart of Earth Day lives in our day-to-day rhythm: the way we walk the paddocks in the early morning, how we compost every day we can, how we choose native species that belong here, and how we formulate skincare with restraint and consideration.
We know that true sustainability doesn’t come from trends – it comes from consistency. From showing up with care, even when it’s inconvenient. It’s choosing to use compostable or recyclable packaging. It’s opting to grow native plants endemic to our region. It's about using what nature already offers – ingredients that have evolved over millennia to survive in our climate – and harnessing their benefits in a way that’s both respectful and effective. It’s keeping our formulations minimalist because less is more – not just for your skin, but for the planet too.
Earth Day is a call to return to a slower, more thoughtful way of living. And that’s what we’re committed to, year-round.
From Soil to Skin: The Heart of Our Philosophy
A Bush Harvest Co, our approach to sustainability goes beyond surface-level claims – it’s embedded in every decision we make. It begins long before anything reaches your skin and extends far beyond what’s in the bottle.
Our practice of regenerative agriculture means we work with nature to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and build resilience into our farming system. We nurture native Australian botanicals that thrive in our environment, requiring less intervention and supporting our ecosystem. Our goal is to leave the land better than we found it, honouring its natural rhythms and caring for Country through thoughtful, intentional practices. By growing what belongs here and farming in harmony with the seasons, we’re able to produce powerful skincare ingredients while protecting the long-term health of the land.
We believe that when plants grow in their native environment – when they’re supported by the soil, the climate, and the rhythm of the seasons – they produce compounds that are more powerful and more beneficial. The finger lime is a perfect example. This wild citrus superfood is hardy, nutrient-dense, and naturally resilient to the harsh conditions in Australia.
Our “farm-to-face” philosophy isn’t just a catchy phrase. It’s a commitment to quality, transparency, and integrity. We want our customers to feel confident knowing that their skincare is as kind to the earth as it is to their skin.
The Wisdom of Native Botanicals
Our reverence for native botanicals runs deep. They don’t need to be over-engineered or forced into growth. They’ve evolved to thrive in Australian soil, to withstand our extremes, and to support our ecosystems. This is why we choose to grow and work with ingredients like the finger lime.
Beyond its striking appearance, the finger lime offers powerful benefits for the skin. Its tiny, caviar-like pearls are packed with phytonutrients that replenish and lock in moisture, calm inflammation, support collagen production, restore the skin’s natural barrier function, and shield against environmental stress such as pollution and UV radiation.
What makes the finger lime truly special is how effortlessly it grows in harmony with our landscape, requiting fewer resources and offering so much in return. By choosing to centre our skincare around this remarkable
fruit, we’re not only honouring a uniquely Australian ingredient, we’re creating products that are as effective as they are sustainable.
Packaging with Purpose
Sustainability doesn’t stop at our farm gate. We believe that what holds our products should be as thoughtful as what’s inside them.
We approach packaging with the same intention and care we bring to farming and formulation, choosing materials that tread lightly on the earth without compromising on quality or aesthetic. Our shipping mailers, product boxes, tissue paper and stickers are printed with soy-based inks and are home-compostable.
Wherever possible, we use glass over plastic for its recyclability and long-term durability, and we keep our packaging minimal to avoid excess waste. We also work with responsible suppliers to ensure that every piece of packaging aligns with our values of transparency, circularity, and conscious consumption. For us, packaging isn’t just a vessel—it’s part of the story. One that starts with care for Country and ends with something you can feel good about receiving, reusing, or returning to the earth.
Community and Country
Farming here, in the Northern Rivers, has changed the way we see the world. There’s something about being on the land every day – watching the weather roll in, seeing the way the light hits the mountain at dusk, listening to the chorus of birdsong at dawn – that grounds you in a way that nothing else
can. We’ve learned to work with nature’s timelines, not against them. We’ve learned to pay attention, to observe, and to be patient.
As we reflect this Earth Day, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and farm – the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung Nation. We honour their deep connection to this land and their knowledge of the native plants we now grow and celebrate.
Caring for Country is more than a principle – it’s a practice. One that begins with listening. We are committed to ongoing learning, respectful collaboration, and ensuring that our work supports – not displaces – the cultural knowledge that came before us.
How You Can Make a Difference This Earth Day
One of the most hopeful things about Earth Day is the reminder that small actions, when multiplied, create powerful change. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to make a difference. Start where you are, with what you have.
You could start by composting the mailer, product box and tissue paper your Bush Harvest Co products arrive in. Simplify your skincare routine – one multi-functional serum, such as our Finger Lime Face Lift Hydrating & Brightening Serum, can replace multiple steps and products, saving a surprising amount of waste. Send your skincare empties back to us for recycling with our Recycle Rewards Program and get 15% off your next order!
Planting something native is also one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support the environment this Earth Day — and you don’t need a sprawling garden to do it. Whether you have a large backyard, a small balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, adding a native plant to your space helps support local pollinators, strengthens biodiversity, and connects you to the natural rhythms of your region. Native plants are perfectly adapted to your climate, meaning they thrive with less water and less maintenance. Even one plant can make a difference. It’s a quiet act of regeneration — one that brings beauty, life, and purpose to any space, no matter the size.
For us, this year we’re expanding our orchards to include more native species and improve the diversity on our land… Lemon Aspen, Ooray and Riberries. So, watch this space! We also have hundreds of koala food trees waiting to be planted and hope to improve habitat areas on our farm for our incredible wildlife to live in the years to come.
From Our Farm to Your Face – With Love
This Earth Day, we want to thank you – for choosing to support a brand that farms slowly, formulates gently, and puts care before convenience. Whether you compost your packaging, share our story with a friend, or simply pause for a moment of
reflection today, you’re part of something meaningful.
So, from our family farm to your home – thank you.
Nat & Matt
xx
