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Yellow Box Newsletter May 2020

Welcome to the Conservation Council Yellow Box newsletter, our monthly update on the latest news, campaigns and events relating to the environment in the ACT.

Most Canberrans are well into their second month of ‘staying at home’ due to COVID-19, and many are discovering the pleasures of slowing down, outside exercise and being in nature. While the lockdown obviously hasn't been easy for all in the community, the numbers of families and households on our streets on foot or on their bikes has been noticeable.The recent headline “Bikes are the new toilet paper” alluded to the fact that bike sales have gone through the roof. (You really couldn’t even begin to imagine a headline like three months ago!) Not only are we spending more time out on our streets and in our nature reserves, but in some places, nature itself is taking a breather from our incessant human presence - around the world we have seen examples of cities where wildlife has moved into urban areas due to the quiet streets.

It does make one wonder what is the best way out of this? Do we come out living the way we did before, and prioritising the same things we used to? Are there aspects of our lives that we prefer now, and that we want to incorporate into our post-COVID lives? And what things can we do that are of benefit for the environment? 

For example, now that you’ve figured out how to work from home, could you do this once or twice a week? And if everyone was able to do this, what would this mean for our local greenhouse emissions, given that 60% of the ACT’s direct emissions are now generated from transport? Have you planted a vegetable garden while you've been confined to home, and set up your home compost, diverting your organic waste from landfill? Have you realised that the short drive you used to take to the shops is only a 10 minute bike ride, and is easier now that you’ve got your cycling gear organised? Did you dig around in your wardrobe while you were at home and realise that you can reinvent and reinvigorate it, putting off that non-essential fast fashion shopping trip? And importantly, did you go walking in one of our beautiful nature reserves, realise how much you valued living near our beautiful grasslands and woodlands and wonder how you can get involved in protecting them? There are so many ways in which we can take this opportunity to reset our lives to align better with our values, and our desire to live more lightly on this small green-blue planet of ours.

The ACT Government has, in rolling out COVID stimulus packages, given consideration to the environment. The Conservation Council was pleased to see 26 new positions that will focus on bushfire recovery at Namadgi, including six indigenous ranger positions. Urban tree planting will be fast-tracked this autumn, with 4000 trees going in across Canberra, and boosting the overall commitment of 17,000 trees by 2500. 10 additional positions will undertake tree maintenance work and nearly $10m has also been allocated to fast-track general maintenance across the city, including improvements in pedestrian crossings, mulching and replacing aged bollards with ones made from recycled materials - things that we know support active travel and plastic recycling! Sadly the Federal Government isn't quite thinking about the same green stimulus ideas, promoting instead a "gas-led economic recovery to COVID" which not only would drive greenhouse emissions up, but seems a crazy investment at a time when we should be supporting industries of the future, not the past. You can read more about why it's a bad idea here. 

The Conservation Council team has been making the most of working from home, reviewing policies and getting to work on our new 5 year strategic plan. We have really missed seeing all of you in the office, and in person, but we hope you will join us for our Online Nature Trivia this coming Friday night 8th May from 7pm - an opportunity to bring people ‘together’ and have some fun. There will be nature-themed and general questions, including some with a local perspective, so gather your team – you can enter as an individual, a home team, or an e-team - and register on our website. There are some small but delicious prizes on offer!

Take care all, stay well.

Warm wishes, 

Helen Oakey
Executive Director

Our regular donors contribute an amount each month to allow us to focus on our advocacy campaigns, like ensuring the environment is on everyone's minds in this year's ACT election. You might also like to consider writing a bequest to ensure the ongoing strength of our voice for the environment.

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Did you get two copies of this Yellow Box Newsletter and only want one? Help clean up our database by letting us know - you can send an email to Robert who will help update your records.

News
Tell us your story about switching from gas to electric appliances

The Conservation Council is developing a new website to help Canberra households ‘Make the Switch’ from gas to electricity. We would love to hear and share the stories of people who have already made this switch.

We are looking for households who have switched from gas heating (wall heaters or ducted), gas hot water, gas cooking, closed your gas account, or any combination of the four. You may have replaced individual appliances, or done a renovation, full knock-down rebuild, or built a new all-electric home. Preferably, you have some data about your gas and electricity bills before and after, costs of replacing appliances, and are willing to share your reasons for and experience of switching, and to be photographed. We are looking for households with or without rooftop solar PV. We would also like to hear from people who have built new all-electric homes.

To participate, please visit our website for more details. We look forward to hearing from you!

Find out more
4000 trees to be planted in COVID-19 and bushfire response packages

The ACT Government has just announced the ‘Jobs for Canberrans Fund’ which is providing work opportunities for people who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. In a win-win for people and the environment, the Government has also brought forward bushfire recovery works.

A $3 million program will plant 4000 new trees across Canberra this autumn, and refresh public spaces, undertake planting, mulching, and employ an additional ten additional people to support urban tree management and care. This is an additional commitment of 2500 trees on top of the Government's previous commitment of 17,000 trees over 4 years. Simultaneously, another million dollars will support 26 new positions doing restoration works in Namadgi National Park and planting trees in the Lower Cotter catchment area.

ParkCare encourages people who meet the employment requirements to apply for these roles via the Jobs for Canberrans website.

Jobs for Canberrans
Environment groups force temporary halt to logging in Vic forests

In excellent news for native forests, environment advocates led by Wildlife of the Central Highlands (Wotch) and Environmental Justice Australia won a court injunction to halt logging in 26 unburnt areas of Victorian native forest.

Environmentalists argued there was a risk of “serious and irreversible damage” to threatened species after last summer's bushfires. Justice Kate McMillan, Victorian Supreme Court granted the injunction to protect the habitat of species on the Victorian government's list of species under immediate threat after the summer bushfires, including the greater glider, the smoky mouse, the sooty owl and the powerful owl. 

With the Victorian Government already aiming to phase out native forest logging and assessments that show potential savings of $192 million by doing so, there is a decent chance that these forests might escape further logging. 

The story is different in NSW, however, where salvage logging is being conducted in burnt areas under new rules specially drafted by the NSW Environmental Protection Agency. This is happening despite the Australian Government's recent analysis that more than 400 plants and nearly 200 invertebrates need urgent attention after the bushfire crisis. 

Possible fast-tracked start for Snowy Hydro 2.0 contested by environment and energy groups

It's crunch time for the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project with NSW Minister for Planning Rob Stokes poised to make his decision on the environmental approval for the main works any day now, with approval being fast-tracked under coronavirus stimulus plans.

The NSW government expects the project will generate at least $4.6 billion in new investment and create up to 2,000 new jobs, including a tunnel segment factory in Cooma to supply the 26km tunnel between dams in the Snowy Mountains. 

Environment groups say the project will devastate alpine ecosystems already under pressure from bushfires and climate change. Energy experts content that there are many alternatives that are more efficient, cheaper, quicker to construct, and incur less emissions.

Find further information on the National Parks Association of NSW website, or read Renew Economy's article.

What could be your gift to the environment?

The World Environment Day Online Auction is coming soon! Do you have items/experiences you could donate to help us raise funds for our work? Perhaps a weekend at a holiday house? O do you work for a local business that could offer an activity or a product? Perhaps you just some amazing talents of your own that someone would value?

All money raised goes to our campaigning work at the Conservation Council, so your contributions combined will make a world of difference for our local and regional environment. This event is even more important for us this year as our usual face-to-face contact and gatherings are not going ahead. 

Email Paul to donate a gift!

Calling young filmmakers: what's your vision for Canberra's future?

Future Film is the short film competition & festival that’s here to flip the switch on the climate crisis. We’re giving young people a creative platform to express their ideas to solve our most pressing environmental problems. It’s time to regenerate the planet for our generation’s future. 

The theme of Future Film is ‘Reimagining Canberra’s Future’. Young filmmakers can create awareness of sustainable solutions and technology in use now, or explore their own unique solutions for the future! The winning filmmakers will receive awesome prizes, and their will be films screened in the Canberra Short Film Festival, September 2020. 

To help with making your film, SEE-Change is offering a free mentoring program for a limited number of people. Sign up to secure your spot!

Films must be 2-7 minutes in length, but they can take any form. Documentary, animation, comedy, drama, sci-fi thriller… you name it, you can do it. Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged!

To find out more or volunteer, email futurefilm@see-change.org.au.

Find out more
Submit your photo or artwork for the National Trust Desk Diary

Each year the National Trusts of Australia produce a themed Desk Diary featuring heritage scenes from around Australia. The National Trust (ACT) has been invited to submit 10 images for consideration for next year’s Desk Diary. 

The theme for the 2021 Diary is “Ode to the Bush” and as Canberra is the “Bush Capital”. The Trust wants striking images, either artwork or photos, that tell a story. The bush theme can be broadly interpreted to include landscapes, animals, buildings in the bush, people enjoying the bush, the bush in the city, historic photos….and many more. Each image should be accompanied by a ‘story’ of around 75 words and the person/organisation to be credited.

The photographs do not have to be of National Trust properties or even National Trust photos but they do have to be free of copyright, in high res, preferably in landscape format, and with their story.

If you have any images you think would be suitable, please send them, and the story to accompany them, to me at events@nationaltrustact.org.au by Friday 22nd May. If you would like to discuss, please email Mary Johnston or call her on 0427 381 380.

Parks: check before you go out

In line with the current limits on public gatherings and advice to cancel or postpone non-essential travel, including trips within New South Wales, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are making the following changes until further notice in response to the COVID-19 emergency:

No camping is permitted in national parks from 26 March 2020, including wild and backcountry camping.

Most visitor centres and historic sites are closed (exceptions are in place for permanent residents living within historic sites).

Some high-visitation areas (beaches, picnic facilities, popular lookouts, etc) are closed, and this will continue to change following assessments on a case-by-case basis.

ACT Parks and Reserves have similar restrictions. Find the latest ACT information here.

Check the latest NSW NPWS information
Apply now for Australian Ethical community grants

Each year, Australian Ethical give away 10% of their yearly after-tax profits to charitable organisations and social impact initiatives through the Australian Ethical Foundation. Grants of $10,000 and $20,000 enable organisations to make a bigger impact within the communities they work.

Grassroots organisations (with annual revenue less than $1.5 million) that contribute to humanitarian, environmental and animal welfare efforts in Australia and abroad are encouraged to apply by 22nd May.

Find out more
Events

Due to widespread measures to contain the coronavirus, the Conservation Council and many of our member groups have modified or cancelled events. Please visit our website or contact hosting organisations for the most up-to-date information on previously advertised events. More and more events are morphing online so we can maintain social connection at this time of physical distancing.

 
Self-guided heritage and wildlife walks

We may not be allowed to gather in groups, but you can still head out for a walk with your family or your dog.

The Conservation Council has a wonderful collection of booklets to help you get out and explore the natural and heritage treasures of your region of Canberra. With contributions from teams of local-knowledge experts, these full-colour booklets contain maps, Aboriginal and European cultural heritage sites and history, field guides to local wildlife and flora, profiles of local environmental groups, and more.

Order yours today and get outside!

Please abide by distancing measures and check park closures before you go.

Find out more
Nature trivia night

Join us for this special trivia night for the ACT environment community. You can join as an individual, a house team or an e-team!

Nature and general themed questions, with a variety of easier and harder questions for all ages. No need to leave your house and you can even bring a glass of wine and your dinner!

7-8:30pm Friday 8th May
Online via Zoom

Register to receive the Zoom link. You can also donate to support the Conservation Council's work to protect our environment when you register.

Register
Swap weeds for native plants

ACT Parks and the Molonglo Conservation Group want people to check their gardens, suburbs and reserves for invasive plants and help stop them spreading into nature reserves and waterways where they will disrupt our native plant communities and ecosystems. A $50 native plant gift voucher will be given to people who spot new infestations of these invasive plants on public land (a ‘spotter’s fee’). Residents who spot them in their garden and remove them, will receive a $100 native plant gift voucher.

Get stuck into weeding with benefits!

April – October 2020

Find out more
UC art competition

Want a chance to win sweet prizes? Looking for something to do with all this at home time over the next couple months?

Enter UC's first ever art competition, open to all artists: painting, drawing, photography or sculpting this one is for you!

Each week there will be a different theme, including Canberra Icons, Flora and Fauna, Elements, Aussie Icons, Out of this World, Stress Less, with a $50 Eckersley's Art and Craft shop gift card up for grabs, redeemable online.

To enter
1. Create your masterpiece to the current theme of the week.
2. Email @uclife@canberra.edu.au with your submission
3. If you have Instagram, share it to your story tagging @uclife and #ucartcompetition.

Submissions need to be in by 5pm Friday each week. Winner announced Monday of the following week!

Find out more
Join 350.org's virtual rally at Rio Tinto's AGM

Create some art calling on Rio Tinto to cut all ties with the Minerals Council. Or simply join the virtual rally at Rio Tinto's online AGM.

Every year Rio Tinto pays the Minerals Council $3.3million, and with it they undermine action on climate change.

If Rio is serious about their commitment to sustainability and going carbon neutral, they must cancel their membership. They are facing increasing pressure on this issue, so together we can turn up the heat and make sure Rio knows that we're watching.

Join a virtual rally on the morning of Rio’s AGM! Bring your protest sign, log on and together we’ll present the petition signatures of tens of thousands of people who want Rio to #CutAllTies with the Minerals Council.

8:30 am (6:30 am in WA, 8am in SA & NT) Thursday 7th May

Find out more
Explore Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary with an audio guide

The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust free iphone/ipad app guides you through the predator-proof Sanctuary with audio story-telling and visual map cues.

Follow three walks through woodlands, wetlands and aerial views. 

Find out where to look for wildlife and hear about the ways we are reinvigorating a critically endangered environment.

Let the guide Shoshana lead you through the landscape at your own pace.

Find out more
Developments in community-based battery storage

The ANU's energy change experts will explore the exciting developments in community-based battery storage that are occurring in the ACT and beyond.
Dr Marnie Shaw and Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper will be joined by panellists who work in different aspects of battery storage.

Chair: Professor Ken Baldwin, Director, ANU Energy Change Institute.

Attendees will be able to ask questions of our speakers via the online Q&A.

12 noon – 1pm
Wednesday 13th May
Online

Find out more
Stay connected to nature and to each other

With most of us spending these current months inside our homes, it can make it harder to stay connected to nature and to each other.

The Conservation Council team have put together an ongoing list of our favourite activities that allow us to stay connected. With a focus on sustainability, mindfulness and environmental and activist education, this list is full of excellent activities for everyone, young and old.

Have fun and get involved!

Find out more

Conservation Council ACT Region

PO Box 544
Canberra ACT 2611

info@conservationcouncil.org.au
(02) 6229 3200

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