Walk the Border was successfully completed last week. A big thank you to everyone who joined Rod on his intrepid journey.  

Rod walked the 306km border of the ACT to raise funds for the Conservation Council, over 20 days from Mulligans Flat following the border in an anti-clockwise direction. It was an adventurous experience with many highs and lows. Staff joined near Ingledene / Angle Crossing for a fabulous day. We were met by Icon Water who very kindly provided us with an excellent morning tea. 

Read more about the walk in this article.

Welcome Rod back with a big thank you, and donate to Walk the Border today!

This week, the Conservation Council ACT Region has welcomed the review of the Tree Protection Act, but warned against lowering the criteria for protecting the Territory’s trees in a bid to make the legislation more “flexible”.

The Conservation Council stresses that any review of the Tree Protection Act must ensure the protection of mature and non-mature native trees across the urban landscape, and recognise the value of all trees and the role they play in supporting biodiversity and building our urban forest.

You can have your say on the review of the Tree Protection act by completing a ACT Government survey and/or making a submission.

The Conservation Council ACT Region, Pedal Power ACT and Living Streets Canberra's community petition calls on the ACT Government to implement key measures that support viable active travel options.

Please sign the petition online and repost to Facebook as we try to meet the target of 500 signatures by November 15, 2019 - this will trigger a referral to the Legislative Assembly's Environment, Transport and City Services Standing Committee.

It's important that we improve travel options for Canberrans who walk, cycle and use public transport. 

ACT Health has launched a new online resource to help families get riding. A range of topics are included from teaching children to ride through to basic bike maintenance skills. Filled with videos and downloadable posters, it is worth a browse.  

The Conservation Council will be hosting a briefing from the Environment Directorate on the details of the Canberra Nature Park Management Plan for members and friends.

Last month, the long awaited Canberra Nature Park Draft Reserve Management Plan was released. We joined Minister Gentleman on top of Black Mountain on a cold Monday morning for the launch of the Plan. The document outlines the planned management of the 37 nature reserves located throughout the city, which cover 11,000 hectares. These reserves protect critically endangered ecological communities and threatened species, but face particular challenges due to their close proximity to Canberra urban dwellers.

Have your say on the proposed management of Canberra's Nature Park by December 16th. Head to the Your Say website to lodge your comments. 

Conservation Council members and friends are invited to the briefing on the Nature Park Management Plan on Wednesday 20 November from 5-6:30pm at the Conservation Council office, unit 14/26 Barry Drive. Please RSVP by replying to this email. 

We are delighted to have been awarded a Community Zero Emissions Grant for our project: Make the Switch - getting off gas to an all-electric home. 

The Make the Switch project will establish a website to help Canberra homeowners make informed decisions about how to switch their homes from gas (for space heating, hot water and cooking) to electricity. Information will outline the rationale for switching, both with regard to environmental benefits, and financial costs and benefits. Householders will be able to access information about their gas related emissions; model costs and savings available from using electric appliances; find out about relevant support and rebates; and get information on technologies that support all-electric homes. Case studies of all-electric energy efficient Canberra homes will be presented and hands-on, practical information made available in downloadable factsheets accompanied by short, informative videos.

We are excited to be bringing this project to life over the next few months. Stay tuned!

This week the Federal Govermment annouced the commencement of the statutory review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Professor Graeme Samuel has been appointed as the independent reviewer. An Expert Panel will support and provide advice to Professor Samuel on specific issues. Over the next 12 months, the review will look at how the EPBC Act has been operating, and any changes needed for Australia to support ecologically sustainable development into the future. 

The Places You Love Alliance is an alliance of over 50 environment groups and has been formed to protect the places and wildlife we love. Together, the Alliance represent over 1.5 million Australians – people that love our national parks, wildlife, and precious natural beauty. The Conservation Council ACT Region is a member of the Alliance, and will be tracking the EPBC Review closely as to its impacts here in the ACT and the surrounding region. 

The EPBC Act, in place since 2001, has failed to protect Australia's biodiversity. The Places You Love Alliance is calling for a new generation of national environment laws that work to protect and restore our natural environment, strengthen our democracy and support community involvement, built on five key principles:

• National leadership
• A central role for communities in decision making
• Trusted and independent institutions
• Delivering strong environmental outcomes
• Ensuring resilience in the face of climate change

You can find out more about the review here. 

In May 2019, the ACT Legislative Assembly declared a state of climate emergency noting that “globally, nationally and locally, human induced climate change is contributing to record breaking temperatures, extreme weather events, and a range of negative social, environmental and economic outcomes.”

Given that the motion also acknowledged the need for urgent action across all levels of government, we think that this includes Budget planning in the ACT.

The Conservation Council is calling on the ACT Government to:

• fund the newly released ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-25 as a matter of priority
• undertake Budget reporting specifically on the implementation of the Climate Strategy
• put in place processes whereby all Government decisions are considered through the lens of the climate emergency, so that the whole of Government is pulling in the same direction on the climate challenge.

The Conservation Council has outlined in its Budget Submission why policies and programs that reduce the ACT’s emissions, and create a more livable, equitable and community-focused city with a secure climate future, are the highest priority for funding in the 2020/21 Budget.

Canberra NatureArt Lab offers unique art courses and workshops focusing on art inspired by nature. They provide a fully equipped space for art, science and nature studies, with great tutors to guide your creative learning. 

Have a look at the range of workshops on offer including "Nature Journaling" and "Peacock Spiders in Watercolour."

When: Multiple dates
Where: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT

Join the Conservation Council ACT Region to celebrate our environment achievements as we announce the ACT Environment Award winners at our 2019 Spring Mingle. There will be a cash bar, a beautiful view, music, the launch of our Christmas Auction, delicious food and like-minded company. 

When: 6:00PM – 9:00PM, Friday 1 November
Where: Lena Karmel Lodge rooftop garden – 26 Barry Drive, Canberra

Painting on Country features works by five senior artists from Tjungu Palya art centre in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. The artists have reinvigorated their ancestors’ practice of painting directly onto the land.

Their work, captured in a series of large-format photographs, is both timeless and transient, bridging the ancient and the contemporary.

When: until 10 November 2019
Where: National Museum Australia, Lawson Crescent
Acton Peninsula

This exhibition is about activism in many forms that has taken place in Canberra over the last century. It includes the well-known stories of the fight for women’s rights, for marriage equality and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

No matter whether it’s big and dramatic, or quiet and slow, these are stories of people working for change in the Canberra community.

When: until 2 November 2019
Where: Canberra Museum and Gallery, Cnr London Circuit and City Square, Canberra City

Hear from sustainability champions, Dan Watters from Capital Brewing Co., Jenny Edwards from Light House Architecture and Science and Robbie Ladbrook from ACT NoWaste at the World of Waste installation in the Canberra Centre as they explore the future of sustainable design.

More awesome national recyling week events listed here.

When: Tuesday, November 12, 12:30-1:30pm
Where: Canberra Centre, City Walk entrance

The Canberra launch of Bob Brown's new film and book "Convoy." The Wangan & Jagalingou Traditional Owners continue to defend their country, inspirational community members are peacefully protesting on the frontlines, with the Queensland Resources Council calling it "unprecedented...nothing as concentrated and as organised..."

When: Saturday, November 2, 6pm - 7pm

Where: Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre

Address and Contacts