Great Reading at Decision Point...www.decision-point.com.au/

Largest super trawler docked in Australia yesterday..

The GetUp team have forwarded this information:

It's here.

At 2:34pm yesterday the world's second largest super trawler docked in Australia, despite having no license to fish in our waters and facing massive community opposition. It can fish with nets whose mouth stretches up to 100 meters high, 200m meters wide and 600m long - that's longer than the length of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It vacuums up everthing in its way killing dolphins, seals, migratory sea birds and other protected species. 

But, there's one person who has the power and authority to stop the super trawler from plundering our seas: Federal Fisheries Minister Joe Ludwig. Despite this issue being on the agenda for weeks, he's been dragging his heels and advised media on Tuesday that he was yet to make a decision one way or another on the super trawler. Let's help him decide!

With your help an ad which shows the shocking by-catch of a super trawler can be run on Monday in The Australian, to show Joe Ludwig that Australians will not accept the super trawler's impact on our marine life:

www.getup.org.au/stop-the-super-trawler

Almost 78,000 people have signed the petition to stop the super trawler, begun by GetUp member Rebecca Hubbard on GetUp's new community campaigning tool, CommunityRun.org. As people come to understand the incredible damage the super trawler will do in Australian seas, they are moved to action.

The shocking photo in this ad, provided by our friends at Greenpeace, was taken by a fisheries researcher whilst on board another Dutch-owned super trawler fishing off Mauritania in 2006. It's a stark and shocking reminder that super trawlers, with their enormous nets, are designed to catch everything it their path. 

The target species the ship wants are mackrel and redbait but there is no proven way to stop seals, dolphins and other marine life getting trapped and crushed in the enoroumous net. Scientists also say that the 18,000 tonnes of fish the trawler could be allowed to catch is far too high and based on outdated information - concluding there is not a scientific case to allow the trawler to fish in Australian waters.

The person who has responsibility to stop the super trawel is the Fisheries Minister, Joe Ludwig.

Each of us can help make Joe Ludwig's decison a lot easier by making sure the implications of his decison are widely known. Can you chip in to get this ad in The Australian? 

www.getup.org.au/stop-the-super-trawler

This issue is at a tipping point: it could go either way. But we know that when, as a community movement, we get behind great campaigns like this one started by Rebecca on CommunityRun.org we have the people power to win!

Thanks for being part of this,
The GetUp team.

AGM booklet...

Hi all, you should have received the following email from Kate:

Dear AAEE Member

Please find attached AGM Booklet for the upcoming AGM on Monday 1 October 2012.  Enclosed in this booklet is the following:

1.        Notice of AGM

2.       Notice of Special General Meeting

3.       Nomination Form for Election of Committee Member

4.      Proxy Form

All nominations must be received by COB Monday 24 September 2012.

Kind regards

Kate

If you haven't got yours, contact Kate

Kate Elder | Administration Co-ordinator | AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

P O Box 996  Cotton Tree  QLD  4558  Australia| (+61  7 5479 1424 | 

Office hours:  Monday & Wednesday 8.30am - 3.30pm

* admin@aaee.org.au | www.aaee.org.au

ABN 80 047 534 235 | Association Number A01300

Free sustainability course put together by top universities...

Check out the free course on sustainability at:
 Coursera! Coursera is  a community of hundreds of thousands of students who are taking courses, and changing the face of higher education. At Coursera, you can take courses from the top universities, for free.
Take classes taught by brilliant professors, interact with students from around the world, and explore tons of interesting questions through our many course offerings. We are committed to making education available to everyone, and we’ll be constantly working to bring you new classes from the best universities.
Eager to start? Check out our course list and sign-up today -- there’s no limit to the number of classes you can take! You can enroll in a course even if the start date hasn’t been announced.

Peoples choice awards - National Landcare awards

Be inspired, and perhaps vote in the People’s Choice Awards for the National Landcare Awards nest week. Voting closes next week on the 4^th of September. Head tohttp://www.landcareonline.com.au/nationalawards/vote.php to vote.

Response to the political motion...

At the Liberal National Party's three day annual conference in July, the organisational wing of the LNP voted to "remove environmental propaganda" on climate change from Queensland schools.  Delegates agreed to call on Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek to ban "post-normal" science from the curriculum and exam materials. 

You may wish to sign this online petition to raise awareness of this issue and ensure Minister John-Paul Langbroek disregards this political motion and continues the strong tradition of sustainability education in Queensland schools.

Minister-john-paul-langbroek-support-climate-science-education-by-ignoring-the-lnp-motion

AESA, including a representative of AAEE Queensland are seeking a meeting with the Minister on this matter.

The Liberal National Party in Queensland have passed a motion to remove 'environmental education' and 'climate science' from the education system in Queensland.

We need to make sure that the Newman Government does not act on this motion and remove funding for environmental education or remove sustainability education from the curriculum.
Premier Newman needs to hear loud and clear that the Queensland community value a school system that teaches science in line with the latest peer-reviewed research, not in line with political ideology or vested interests.
Join us in telling Campbell Newman and education Minister John-Paul Langbroek to disregard this outrageous political motion and continue the tradition of sustainability education in Queensland schools.
http://www.change.org/petitions/minister-john-paul-langbroek-support-climate-science-education-by-ignoring-the-lnp-motion#sharerong

Australian Association for Environmental Educators Conference 2012 - Our 17th Biennial Conferrence 30th Sept – 3 October, Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne Victoria

Keynotes: Professor Kate Auty: Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability; John Thwaites; Professional Fellow, Monash Uni, Chair of ClimateWorks Australia and the Monash Sustainability Institute; Professor Sam H. Ham; director  of the Centre for International Training and Outreach and Professor of communication psychology and international conservation in the University  of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation Social Scienes; Ahri Tallon; Founder Northern Rivers Youth Environmental Society Sustainability, coordinator of the Youth Climate Coalition and creator of the Alliance for education for sustainability.

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

Oceania Dive Travel & Watersports Expo

The Oceania Dive Travel & Watersports Expo (ODEX) is a spring consumer event that is co-located with Blue Edge, an international freediving and spearfishing show.
These events will be a family friendly 2-day extravaganza of product showcases, media launches and seminars relating to scuba diving, dive destinations, underwater imaging, freediving, spearfishing, fin swimming and marine conservation.
ODEX is an interactive show so remember to bring your swimmers, t-shirt and a towel if you plan on getting wet.
Tickets can only be purchased at the Aquatic Centre Ticketing Desk. These will also entitle you to swim in the Aquatic Centres Leisure Pools and 4 hrs of  Free Car Parking when validated.
For more Fast Facts click on this link: http://www.odex.com.au/visitors.html

Kitchen Garden School Bus Tours - book now!

Applications to join the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program open on 4 September. If your school would like to join the Program, you can get a great head start by first joining one of our tours, being held across Australia from 3 September onwards.

Each tour will visit four established Kitchen Garden Schools in the local region. Participants will visit the unique kitchens and gardens in each school, see kitchen and garden classes in action and be able to talk to school staff as well as members of the Foundation team.

You’ll learn how each school runs the Kitchen Garden Program and the huge benefits the school communities are reaping. You’ll also be able to talk directly to Foundation staff about how your school can join the Program and what the new flexible methods of delivery mean to you. And of course all participants will enjoy a delicious lunch hosted by one of our wonderful Kitchen Garden Schools.

Look forward to a fun-filled, educational and highly engaging day that will leave you amazed, inspired and ready to begin your own Kitchen Garden Program.

Details for each region are as follows, with more information available on the website. All bookings should be made online (just follow the links below). Please note these tours are not suitable for children.

Queensland – Brisbane & Gold Coast

• Date: Monday 3 September
• Time: 8:15am–4:30pm
• Price: $85.00
• Pickup: Roma Street Bus Station, Brisbane

Queensland – Sunshine Coast

• Date: Wednesday 19 September
• Time: 8:15am–4:30pm
• Price: $85.00
• Pickup: Nambour Train Station, Mill Street

www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

Vacancies/Conferences etc

Vacancies/Conferences etc

O-2. Outdoor Education Team Leader - Googa OEC - Blackbutt, QLD - 26/10/12
Googa Outdoor Education Centre Salary based on Lutheran Education Queensland Outdoor Education Enterprise Bargaining Agreement November 2012 start continuing into 2013 An opportunity exists for an enthusiastic person to be involved in a Christian community providing four week outdoor education programs in the Lutheran Education System. The full-time position involves leading a team of 4-5 instructors in the delivery of the program. General job responsibilities for all instructors include supervising...

P-15. Senior Field Ranger (Moogerah Region) - SEQ Water - Moogerah, QLD - 15/08/12
Salary: $52,494.69 pa. + Super An exciting opportunity exists for a qualified and motivated person with experience in providing a safe and acceptable standard for public use of recreational facilities and maintenance of operations associated with environmental management. Based at Moogerah Dam and reporting to the Lead Ranger, this position will be responsible for managing Seqwater natural resources and recreation infrastructure associated with the Moogerah Region. As well as undertaking grounds...

(Extract from CooeeAds)

In the news, extract from environmental news

In the news

Green groups oppose faster approvals

The Australian

14 August 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL groups have called on the federal government to reject a push to allow state governments to approve certain business developments without federal oversight.

We've hit energy tipping point: Flannery

The Australian

14 August 2012

CLIMATE change campaigner Tim Flannery says 2012 will be seen as a tipping point in the fight against rising carbon dioxide levels.

$22m for koala habitat protection

ABC News

14 August 2012

The State Government will spend more than $22 million over the next three years to protect koala habitats in south-east Queensland.

Queensland fishermen say they're already using most humane killing method

ABC Rural

14 August 2012

North Queensland commercial fishers say new guidelines around best practice for fish slaughter aren't that new. 

Donkey praised as wild dog hero

ABC News

14 August 2012

An unusual suggestion to fight a wild dog crisis plaguing the New South Wales Upper Hunter has been put forward, with an animal shelter confident donkeys could keep the vicious animals at bay.

(Extract from Environmental News)