Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance's petition...

Join with the Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance’s support for AuSSI by signing this petition to ask that the Federal and State Environment and Education Ministers provide adequate funding to the AuSSI program so that the initiative is fully optimised to reach 100% of Australian schools by 2015.

http://www.educationforsustainability.org.au/2012/04/fund-sustainability-in-schools-pertition/

Free event for kids Sunday 27th May at the Cottage

Free Event: Kids’ Day at the Cottage

Sunday May 27th 10am-1pm Free fun activities

Surprise prizes; Art and Craft; Learn about Water Bugs; Talk to the Snail Whisperer; 

* GECKOES WILDLIFE SHOW * See in real life

our furry, feathery, scaly and leathery, wonderful native creatures 11.30am

Sausage sizzle 12.30

The Cottage Environment Centre end Gold Creek Rd Brookfield

www.moggillcreek.org.au

Proudly supported by the Lord Mayor's Suburban Initiative Fund and Pullenvale Ward Councillor

World Environment Day is coming up fast (5th June)

Dear Members,
world environment day is coming up fast, and we're keen to celebrate the day here on the blog and via our newsletter.  If you are organising or attending an event, please send us pictures and text for inclusion in our June edition of the newsletter.  To get you in the mood Let's celebrate our wonderful earth this world environment day...

World Environment Day 5th June

http://www.unep.org/wed/

Green Economy: Does it include YOU?

The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? Evidently, there are two parts to this theme and the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy. This is where some people shut off their minds because they find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand.

On the contrary, the Green Economy is really something that is applicable all around you and it is easy to imagine how you fit in it. Visit the ‘What is the Green Economy?’ page to read a layman’s narrative of this concept.

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

But what does all this mean for you? Well, this essentially what the second part of the theme is all about. If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether, in your country, you are being included in it.

To learn more about the Green Economy bookmark the World Environment Day website, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and we shall be unraveling the concept of what the Green Economy really is and what it means to you ahead of World Environment Day.

Creek Ranger Forum: Communities, Catchments and Co-operatives Sunday 20 May

Creek Ranger Forum:  Communities, Catchments and Co-operatives.

Sunday 20 May 2012

9.30 am to 3.15 pm

Moreton Bay Boys College

302 Manly Road

Manly West

Brought to you by Brisbane City Council's Creek Ranger Program.

The forum will provide an informative and interactive environment for attendees to learn about a variety of innovative tools, strategies and skills to enhance the capacity of their chosen environmental group or bushcare community. Forum topics will include:

·         Presentation 1: Building a Catchment Centre through creative partnerships – Bulimba Creek Catchment case study.

·         Presentation 2: Creative projects through using CVA teams, corporate sponsorships and community volunteers – Oxley Creek Catchment case study.

·         Keynote address: Communities, Catchments and Co-operatives, a personal perspective.

Registration and further information: email Sean.Marler@brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone by no later than Monday, 14 May on (07) 3178-9816.

Turf Australia and Junior Landcare offer green makeovers 31st July

Does your school or youth group need a green makeover?  Turf Australia and Junior Landcare are excited to announce that they will be offering 15 green makeovers, and all schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and youth groups (including Scouts and Girl Guides) are welcome to apply.  The green makeover will give the school or group a natural grass coverage for kids to enjoy, and will be laid out by a turf professional.


Applications are now open and close on July 31st
www.juniorlandcare.com.au

NAB Schools First closing soon - 29th June ($3million)

Schools interested in applying for a NAB Schools First impact or Seed Funding Award are encouraged to start their applications soon, as they close at 5pm (AEST) Friday 29th June.  All schools involved in school-community partnerships can apply to share in $3 million of awards funding.
NAB Schools First

Moo Baa Munch, Corinda SHS Farm Family Fun w/e 10 - 20 May

Do you want your children to know where their spaghetti bolognaise or steak sandwiches come from? Or that cotton t-shirts and woolly jumpers come from animals and plants, not shops?

AgForce is inviting your family down to the farm!

Enjoy a fun day full of hands-on activities for the whole family.
Discover more about farm life ... animals, plants, science and fresh local produce.

Where: Corinda State High School Farm, Corinda

Cost for families: Only $2 per person or $5 per family (up to 4 people)

For full details?

www.agforceqld.org.au/index.php?tgtPage=events&page_id=329

BAYERBoost Environmental Scholarships Closing 30 September ‘12

The BAYERBoost scholarship scheme is open to Year 11-12 school students and tertiary undergraduate students who are engaged in study at an Australian academic institution.

Administered by the Australian Geographic Society, the scheme is aimed at fostering support, in young Australians and an understanding and awareness of our unique environment.

Scholarships on offer:

·         $6,000 for a tertiary student who will be required to work for 12 weeks

·         $5,000 for a Year 12 student who will be required to work for 10 weeks

·         $3,000 for a Year 11 student who will be required to work for 6 weeks.

Further details and application form can be found at Australian Geographic

For information on last year’ winners Click here

Beverage Container Recycling Grant due 15th June

Keep Australia Beautiful

Applications close 15 June ‘12

The KAB grants are open to all communities groups, local associations, *schools, small to medium enterprises and local government authorities.

*For schools, a key criteria is the involvement and/or education of the wider community in relation to beverage container recycling activities via the school network.

Further information and application forms are available from the KAB state office reps listed below or the national KAB website

www.kab.org.au/what-we-do/beverage-container-recycling-grants/

QLD:      Rick Burnett 07 3252 2886 rick@kabq.org.au

Miranda Mason on TV for Witness King Tides Green Cross Australia

Our very own Miranda interviewed in "Totally Wild"

The January 2011’s king tide which saw hundreds of Queenslanders take to the beach to photograph is explained by Miranda Mason in an interview with Channel Ten’s Totally Wild program.  Watch Miranda’s interview and keep tuned for Witness King Tides going national in the future!

Totally Wild

Teaching for Sustainability...

Teaching for Sustainability

Inquiry, values and action across the curriculum

MacMillan Masterclass Series $41.99

Authors:  Jillian Cupitt and Syd Smith

Perfect for 2012:  The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

Click here for more detail

National Tree Day - Schools (27 July) Community (29th July)

Sunday 29 July

Planet Ark is calling for people to connect with nature by getting involved in National Tree Day, Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event.

Celebrating its 17^th year in 2012, National Tree Day sees communities work together to protect their natural environment by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs. Each year over 300,000 people take part at 3,500 sites around the country. More than 17 million seedlings have been planted in the event’s history.  People can participate by becoming National Tree Day site coordinators or attending plantings in their local areas.

Schools Tree Day

Friday 27 July

Each year around 250,000 Australian school students participate in Schools Tree Day - a special National Tree Day event just for kids. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about nature, get outside and have fun at the same time. This Schools Tree Day, all schools and their students are encouraged get involved and plant some trees for a healthier planet!

Visit treeday.planetark.org

AAEE National Conference Registrations Open!

AAEE National Conference

Registrations are now open!

The Victorian Association for Environmental Education (VAEE) invites you to the 17^th Biennial National Conference of the Australian Association for Environmental Education “Creating our Next Courageous Steps”.

Held from 30^th September – 3^rd October 2012 at The Sebel & Citigate, Albert Park, this conference will exemplify and enable courage to take the next step on our Environmental Education journey. Within the context of “Next Steps”, the conference will build educator capacity and school and community partnerships through the following themes:

·         Towards ecological balance

·         Education for sustainability

·         Reducing our ecological footprint

·         Exploring the social dimension of sustainability

·         Integrating sustainable practices through all social systems

Please visit http://www.vaee.vic.edu.au/index.php/aaee2012nextsteps

Environmental Decisions Group

Dear members and friends of the Environmental Decisions Group

A new analysis of the conservation status of Australian birds – a world-first – has revealed many migratory shore birds are in big trouble. But it’s not all doom and gloom with evidence in other studies suggesting effective and targeted investment has the potential to turn things around for some species. Macquarie Island, for example, is currently undergoing an amazing transformation now that rats and rabbits have been removed (and sea birds look like being big winners).

Check it out for yourself at http://www.decision-point.com.au/

In issue #59 you'll find the following stories:

1. A road to nowhere? Pia Lentini asks what next for the Stock Route network? – page 4

2. Fishing limits and responding to climate change How long can fisheries management delay action? – page 6

3. Birds in the Red  A world-first assessment of Australian birds using the Red List Index is ringing warning bells – page 8

4. Island arks Why investment in island conservation yields big dividends – see page 10

5. The Macquarie Island Rabbit and Rodent Eradication Project  What happens when you free a World-Heritage listed island from its vertebrate pests? – see page 12

6. Modelling climate change impacts on koala food  When considering the future of koalas you need to consider their food trees – see page 14

7. The many challenges of offsets  RMIT’s biodiversity-offsets workshop – see page 15

Research briefs …Reproductive ecology of an invasive pine; cross-sectional vs longitudinal research; and deciding between options to reduce phosphorus in the Gippsland Lakes – see page 3

So, make a sound decision for yourself, download your copy today, print it out and take it away to read at your leisure (and then pass it on to a friend to justify the fact that you printed it out).

Regards
David

David Salt

Editor, Decision Point

E       david.salt@anu.edu.au

P       +61 2 6125 9286

Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance Petition

Hello,

My name is Chelsea. I’m a volunteer with the Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance (AESA) and we are looking for your support for our current campaign.

http://www.educationforsustainability.org.au/2012/04/fund-sustainability-in-schools-pertition/

The Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance is comprised of organisations from the education, union, youth and environment sectors that want a higher prioritisation of sustainability in the education system. We are achieving this by advocating and lobbying for best practice education for sustainability policy to fulfil our vision of a sustainable Australia.

AESA’s vision is to achieve a more sustainable Australia by ensuring that all Australians have the opportunity to receive effective education that instils knowledge, practices and values of sustainability, through the formal education system and through ongoing information and training throughout life.

This year the Australian government will be going to the Rio +20 Earth Summit to advocate a sustainable, fair and prosperous future for all people and all generations. But back at home the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities (DSEWPaC) has almost completely defunded the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) set up in 2002.

AuSSI involves schools and their communities carrying out practical projects to improve their understanding of sustainability while providing teachers with professional development support which will be essential to the implementation of sustainability education across the Australian Curriculum. But, with reduced funding, teachers are not getting the support they need and schools lack the capacity and funds to run the projects to transition their curriculum, pedagogy, operations, infrastructure to a sustainable future with their communities.

That’s where we need your help.

Join with the Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance’s support for AuSSI by signing this petition to ask that the Federal and State Environment and Education Ministers provide adequate funding to the AuSSI program so that the initiative is fully optimised to reach 100% of Australian schools by 2015.

http://www.educationforsustainability.org.au/2012/04/fund-sustainability-in-schools-pertition/

The greater the number of people joining the petition, the louder our voice will be as we advocate for a greater prioritisation of sustainability in the education system. So please show your support by signing and promoting AESA’s sustainability in schools funding petition to members of your organisation and the public who may be interested.

Together, we can raise the priority of sustainability education in Australia and return much needed funding to the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative. But more than that, with your support we can build an ecologically sustainable future.

Thank you for your time,

Chelsea.

-- 
Chelsea Mullens  | Education for Sustainability Campaigner | www.aycc.org.au | 0437754876

Level 4 Trades Hall, 54 Victoria Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Building a generation-wide movement to solve the climate crisis.

Follow us: facebook.com/aycc.org.au | twitter.com/aycc

National Sorry Day May 26th

www.nsdc.org.au/

National Reconciliation Week kit also has ideas of how you, your school or workplace can support reconciliation.

http://reconciliation.org.au/nrw2012/resources

National Walk Safely to School Day May 18th 2012

Walk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event when all Primary School children

Are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school.  It is a community event seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

www.walk.com.au/WSTSD01/page.asp?pageid=260

International Day for Biological Diversity May 22nd 2012: The theme this year is: Marine Biodiversity:

Why not explore the diversity of our oceans at home with your family:

http://www.cbd.int/idb/2012/

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/index.html

Test your knowledge:

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/06game-and-quiz/index.html#

Find out what the problems are:

http://saveourseas.com/threats

Do something - 9 ways to save the oceans:

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/9-ways-save-the-ocean.htm

Get involved…..

http://saveourseasint.org/

www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/

www.worldwildlife.org/home-full.html

Learn about invasive species:

www.cbd.int/doc/bioday/2009/idb-2009-