The ACT Government has proposed changes to the Territory Plan to "improve standards for soft landscaping for new development in all residential zones" (Draft Variation 369). The changes set planting targets for different types of residential blocks from large individual blocks to multi-unit developments.

The Conservation Council is pleased at the inclusions of new definitions for canopy trees and deep soil zones, as well as an increase in planting targets across a range of development types. It is also good to see guidelines that incorporate water infiltration, tree canopy and landscape quality. 

However, it is unclear to what extent the changes in DV369 will contribute to enhancing living infrastructure in residential blocks, as this Draft Variation has been developed seemingly separate from the broader strategy on green infrastructure across the urban landscape, including the public realm. Nor is it clear how the the new block planting targets reflect the 30% canopy targets set out in the Living Infrastructure Plan, and what the expectation is on private residential blocks to help meet the overall canopy target.  Perhaps most concerning is that very few of the rules changes that guide tree planting targets are mandatory, leaving the implementation of the rules open to interpretation.

If you care about trees across our suburbs and would like to have your say, you can make a submission to DV369 until 3rd April. (Note the closing date for submissions was previously February 28th, but has been extended.)

It's been a busy few weeks for our Gas-Free ACT campaign!

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who signed and shared our petition calling on the ACT Government to stop rolling out new gas - to ALL new residences in the ACT. The ACT Government has a climate change plan to phase out gas in the ACT by 2045, so it seems sensible to us that not putting new houses onto dirty polluting gas is a good place to start!

As such, changes to the planning laws which took away the rule that made gas pipes mandatory in new suburbs was very welcome. However it really only brings the ACT into line with other Australian jurisdictions where gas is already optional for new developments. But we think the ACT Government could go further, and stop all new homes being connected up to the gas network.

In positive news, Evoenergy has indicated that they won't be rolling out gas pipes in new suburbs from 2021, as per their draft plan for the gas network - a win for the community!  But what the GN21 plan does reveal is that Evo plans to spend $34.8m over the five year period 2021–26 connecting new dwellings in established suburbs, including multi-unit developments. This is in spite of the ACT Government's clear policy to phase out gas!

You can let Evo know that you don't want any more Canberra households to be reliant on a dirty fossil fuels to heat their homes, hot water and cook with - it's time to go all-electric! Provide feedback on their draft plan by emailing them at consumerfeedback@evoenergy.com.au

Find out more about our campaign on our website!

The Conservation Council is pleased to be hosting an Environment Exchange event on Wednesday 1st April to provide an opportunity for all those who love and care for Namadgi to find out exactly what the biodiversity losses are as a result of the fire, and what the recovery efforts will look like. 

5:30pm Wednesday 1st April
Frank Fenner Seminar Room, 141 Linneaus Way, ANU

Speakers:

• Ian Walker, Conservator & Executive Group Manager, Environment 
• Justin Foley, Head of ACT Parks and Conservation Service

Our Environment Exchange events are an opportunity to have a deep-dive conversation with an expert or two on a selected topical environmental issue. There will time for discussion and Q and A after the presentations.

ALL WELCOME - Entry by donation at the door. Light refreshments will be provided.

For our first Garage Sale Month, our board member Thena is having a Designer Clothes Garage Sale in Turner on Saturday 28 March. Stay posted for the address!

Thena joined the Board of the Conservation Council because she wants to take an active role in campaigning to protect and restore Canberra’s beautiful natural environment and to work towards a sustainable future for our planet. Now she’s kicking off a great Garage Sale project to fundraise and reduce waste. 

You could put your unwanted belongings to good use by hosting your own garage sale this month. Perhaps even combine it with getting to know your neighbours for Neighbour Day!

At this year’s World Environment Day Dinner, we’re highlighting the importance of plant health and regenerative agriculture. Globally, food security and natural ecosystems are increasingly impacted by climate change, deforestation, development, pollution and other human activities. Industrial agricultural practices and international trade have negative impacts on soil quality, biodiversity and the spread of pests and diseases. 

Regenerative agriculture combines sustainable farming and grazing practices by building resilience in landscapes, promoting rich and abundant soil health and diversity, and drawing down carbon from our atmosphere. It's a term that describes the result, not the practice. Are you making soil or breaking it? With global soils containing 2 to 3 times more carbon than the atmosphere itself, regenerative agriculture will play a key role in ensuring food security and mitigating against the effects of climate change into the future. 

The ACT is making progress in building our urban forest and cutting our emissions, yet we face challenges with soil quality and water. There has never been a more important time to recommit to actions that will preserve and restore our biodiversity, so that we too can play a role in the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. 

This year’s theme also highlights the role we can all play in supporting nature and each other. Through the everyday action of community gardening, people build their understanding and appreciation of  nature, and forge social connections within their communities. These local bonds allow us to be less reliant on the global economy, shorten our food miles, and build community resilience that supports us in our environmental campaigns and our everyday wellbeing.

Gather some friends and buy your tickets for World Environment Day Dinner today.

Read more about regenerative agriculture in the New Yorker, Can farming make space for nature?

Located in Braddon, Michelle England’s garden is based around a philosophy of rescue, reuse and working with nature.

In practical terms this means all organic matter is returned to the garden through mulching, composting and vermiculture. An organic approach is adopted to feed the soil and thus plants. Unwanted insects are reduced through companion plants, organic sprays and mechanical means. Emphasis is placed on drought tolerant plants while rainwater is also saved for the drier times or more water intensive plants, such as fruit trees.

The garden is designed around several paths (made from reclaimed materials) and 'rooms' using a harmonious palette of pinks to purple with a splash of yellow for good measure. There are many fruit trees on site, raised vegetable beds, a chook run and beehives.

Propagated plants will be on sale and an artist studio open for viewing and sales. There are toilets on site and refreshments available. 

Michelle is generously opening her garden to the public on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March and has offered to donate all proceeds to help the Conservation Council advocate for the environment. 

See the event listing below.

We are now calling for auction items for our World Environment Day Dinner Auction! What could be your gift that contributes to the work we do by being included in our exciting auction which culminates at this year's dinner?

If you own something we could use for an experience, such as a weekend at a holiday house, or if you work for a local business that could offer an activity or a product, we’re looking at you! Do you have an amazing service or a talent that someone out there would value?

Help us out with a donation that will make a world of difference to this fundraising effort.

If you've generously donated to our past auctions, we'll be getting in touch with you soon! In the meantime, you can email Paul to find out more. 

Our supporter survey closes next weekend! We’ve extended the survey closing date to next Sunday 15th March at 11:59 PM to allow as many supporters as possible to fill it out! Take three minutes to fill it out now to give us a better idea of our supporter base, tell us what you’re interested in and guide our future work.

The Conservation Council is proud to present 'Ginninderry Treasures', the sixth book in the Treasures of the ACT Region series.

With contributions from a team of local knowledge experts, the beautiful booklet will help you explore the Aboriginal and European cultural heritage as well as the woodland, grassland and river ecosystems of the Ginninderry region of north-western Canberra. The guide includes colour photographs of local wildlife and plant species,  profiles of the community groups actively caring for the landscape, and more.

The book is available at The Link, Ginninderry, or the Conservation Council office. 

The Conservation Council has long been an advocate for city-wide cat containment within the ACT to promote the safety and preservation of our unique native wildlife. The recent bushfires have only increased our concern about how native species are protected, particularly with increased risks of invasive species on already vulnerable native animals.

Visit our website to read more about the threat that pet cats pose and what you can do to help our wildlife.

The Conservation Council is pleased to be hosting an Environment Exchange event on Wednesday 1st April to provide an opportunity for all those who love and care for Namadgi to find out exactly what the biodiversity losses are as a result of the fire, and what the recovery efforts will look like. All welcome!

5:30pm Wednesday 1st April
Frank Fenner Seminar Room, 141 Linneaus Way, ANU

Speakers: Ian Walker, Conservator, and 
Justin Foley, Head of ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

Entry by donation at the door. Light refreshments will be provided.

Trash Gather are collaborating with Canberra - School Strike 4 Climate and are returning to the site of an old battle against trash. We will aim to get some of the litter roaming the base and top of Mt Ainslie this time!

We'll start off with an ice-breaker to introduce everybody, the clean-up will begin at around 10:30AM. Regroup at 11:30 at Campbell High for a well deserved picnic and some time to socialise.

10am Sunday 15th March
Campbell High School

BRING: A water bottle, hat, sunscreen, some food to share at the picnic (preferably plastic free), We will have rubbish/recycle bags, gloves and claws available for use.

Have a garage sale in March and support our work for the environment.

De-clutter your house for a good cause by running a garage sale in March and donating funds to the Conservation Council ACT. Funds will go towards our efforts to fight climate change, reduce plastic waste, and make the environment central in this year’s ACT election.

Pick a date in March, let us know, and we will promote your garage sale for you!

Research points to the beneficial effects that exposure to the natural world has on health, reducing stress and promoting healing. NatureArt Lab has some wonderfully unique art courses and workshops focusing on art inspired by nature. Their 2020 program has started and there are six, four and three week courses (day and evening) as well as one and two-day weekend workshops – including ‘Linocut Prints – Wildflowers’, ‘Introduction to Botanical Art’ and ‘Birds of the Botanic Gardens’! Places are selling fast.

NatureLan also offer wonderful nature immersion trips to international destinations such as Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, and in Australia to Montague Island just off Narooma.

Visit the NatureArt Lab website or click the button to go to Facebook events.

The Conservation Council is well into organising our World Environment Day Dinner 2020: Regenerating our Earth, with guest speaker Costa Georgiadis. 

We are inviting volunteers to help us host the event. Volunteers attend for free, gain valuable experience and make a vital contribution to the Dinner’s success. Roles include decorating the venue, welcoming guests and photography. 

6:30–10:30pm
Saturday 6th June
National Museum of Australia

Apply now to volunteer.

Located in Braddon, Michelle England’s garden is based around a philosophy of rescue, reuse and working with nature.

Propagated plants will be on sale and an artist studio open for viewing and sales. There are toilets on site and refreshments available. 

10am – 4pm
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March
Free entry for Canberra Open Garden Members, or $8 at gate

All proceeds to Conservation Council ACT region.

The Woodlands and Wetlands Trust is proud to celebrate World Water Day on the morning of Sunday 22nd March 2020 at Jerrabomberra Wetlands! Take one of our Guided Tours to see and hear about the Reserve; meet people who care about wetlands and the Reserve;  and listen to talks on wetlands and things ‘wet’ by local experts.

World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. 

Entry is by gold coin donation with all activities free of charge. All proceeds go towards conservation efforts at Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

Sunday 22nd March
Jerrabomberra Wetlands

How were you and your community affected by this shocking summer of extreme weather events? What helped you to cope? How can we as a community be better prepared in future? RSVP below to come along to one of our community sessions to share your experiences with the ACT's Climate Change Council. 

Your participation is vital to making Canberra's response to climate change strong, effective and equitable.

7–9pm
Wednesday 11th March 
Dickson College Hall
RSVP bit.ly/2VvKrom

7–9pm
Friday 13th March
Palmerston Community Centre
RSVP bit.ly/2I35rLe

Friends of Grasslands ('FoG' for short) is a community group dedicated to conservation of natural temperate grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. FoG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with the conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FoG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.

FoG have a busy calendar of hands-on projects, working parties and events and always welcomes Canberrans with an interest in grasslands to contribute in a variety of ways. 

Visit the Friends of Grasslands website for more information about how to get involved.

Evoenergy want to hear from the community about the future of the ACT and Queanbeyan-Palerang gas network as outlined in their 2021–26 gas five year plan.

Let Evo know that we don't want any more new gas connections as we head to zero net emissions by 2045!

You can attend one of the community consultation events where you can talk with Evo staff in person OR provide feedback on the draft plan by 2 April 2020 by emailing them on consumerfeedback@evoenergy.com.au

Find out more about the GN21 plan for the gas network, and our campaign for a gas-free ACT on our website!

Join us for three extraordinary woodlands walks, including a very special Aboriginal Cultural Heritage walk through Mount Majura, for the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. Places are limited, so book early!

Kama Nature Reserve                   8am Saturday 18th April
By donation
Join Greening Australia’s Nicki Taws and ornithologist Chris Davey as they walk you through the latest addition to Canberra Nature Park. 

Kinlyside Nature Reserve           10am Sunday 19th April
By donation
Join lease-holder Craig Starr and ecologist Michael Mulvaney on a tour through the Kinlyside Nature Reserve. 

Mount Majura Aboriginal Heritage Walk

10am Sunday 3rd May - $25
In collaboration with Canberra Archaeological Society.
Join Ngunawal descendant Tyronne Bell of Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural Services for this special walk through Mount Majura’s box gum woodlands to uncover their indigenous cultural heritage. 

The Canberra Environment Centre works directly with the community to ensure the best environmental outcomes for the ACT through targeted education, information, and practical application.

They love getting their hands dirty teaching fun, useful classes on everything from making your own tempeh and zero-waste products to adopting cloth nappies for your baby and keeping backyard chickens.

Check out their upcoming events on Facebook.

Address and Contacts