EVENTS

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream - Training for Community Leaders and Facilitators

Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 September - Dandenong Ranges, VIC

The Awakening the dreamer Symposium is inspiring people worldwide to come together to meet the challenges and opportunieis facing humanity in our time. For more info or to register visit www.changingthedream.org.au. Phil Everist has offered to run a free small group taster for Tasmanians who are interested but would like to experience the Sympoisum first hand before commmitting.  Some possible dates are: Sunday 22nd August - 1pm to 5pm; Wednesday 25th August - 5.30pm to 9.30pm; or Sunday 28th August - 1pm to 5pm.  Email Phil with your preference of dates if you are interested.     

See Change Sustainability Festival - East Coast

Saturday 4 September in St. Helens and Sunday 5 September in Bicheno

The inaugural See Change Sustainability Festival will be held on the East Coast of Tasmania in August and September. Trade fair: St Helens Saturday 4th Sept and Bicheno Sunday 5th September. Film festivals, recycled fashion parada and other events held throughout Glamorgan Spring Bay and Break O'Day municipalities. For more information contact Cynthia by email or on 6256 5050

Threatened Species Day - Perspectives by wildlife experts, planners and land managers
Monday 6 September and Friday 10 September
During the week of Threatened Species Day, we will be providing opportunities for Tasmanians to find out what is likely to be living with you on your land by running two introductory sessions to the web-based Natural Values Atlas. This application has records of more than 20,000 observations of plants and animals across Tasmania, and can display maps showing their locations as well as other natural values such as vegetation communities or geoconservation values. It's a resource that can be really useful for advance planning, to ensure that our house building or other land-use dreams take these issues into account as they develop. Sessions will be held at the Glenorchy LINC.

Threatened Species Day - Four perspectives on ways and reasons to live sustainably in Tasmania

Tuesday 7th September - TMAG, Hobart

Hosted by Andy Baird, Manager Centre for Learning and Discovery, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, speakers and topics include:

Clare Hawkins - Senior Zoologist for the Threatened Species Section in DPIPWE.
Nikki den Exter - Natural Resource Management Facilitator at Kingborough Council.
Tony Scherer - Director and Co-Owner of the 430 ha Frogmore Creek vineyard at Penna.
Iona Mitchell - Community Engagement Coordinator for Biodiversity within the Private Land Conservation Program

Tasmania has almost 700 plant and animal species listed as threatened by extinction, and for many this threat is really pressing. Some have declined by more than 50% in the past 1-2 decades; some are found nowhere else in the world but one or two small sites in Tasmania; some only exist as a few hundred individuals.

Conservation of our threatened species isn't just about the decision and actions undertaken by governments, wildlife specialists and scientists. Everyone can play a role in the survival of our State's threatened species simply by the decisions we make. Clearing land, building, gardening, burning vegetation - all of these activities can affect threatened species - but if we know what lives on our land and what it needs, we can really make a difference. Some animals may just need us to avoid removing the one or two food plant species critical to their breeding. Others may actually benefit from some of our everyday activities as long as we do them at the right time of year. If we know what is needed, we can plan effective sustainable land use and we can help save our threatened species from extinction.

As a specific example, swift parrots are prone to collisions with large windows. There are thought to be just 1000 pairs of this species left in the entire world, and they breed only in Tasmania. For anyone who is thinking of building a house on land which might be swift parrot habitat, house design can make a big difference to this species. Check out this link to find out more: http://www.wwf.org.au/publications/swift-parrot-report/

For more information on these events please visit www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/threatenedspeciesday .
Understand how you fit into the picture. Find out how you can help. You can make a difference!

Basics of Permaculture Weekend Course
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 September - Franklin
Learn the basic principles of Permaculture during a practical hands-on weekend course. This short course will teach you various design techniques that you can apply to any environment, and help lead you toward a more sustainable, enjoyable, responsible and healthy lifestyle. Topics covered include composting, garden design and organic food production. Permaculture is a design science which promotes environmentally responsible land use, appropriate technologies for industry and human settlement and the development of healthy and self-reliant communities that will flourish long past the peak oil and financial crisis. Brought to you by the Permaculture Association of Tasmania.  Cost $150. For more info download the flyer or contact Penny Milburn on 0408 269 765 or by email

Sustainable House Day - Northern Tasmania
Sunday 12 September 10-4pm
Over 150 houses throughout Australia will be open in this the ninth year of this great event. This year in Northern Tasmania The Friends of Jackey’s Marsh have six houses, one school and a community garden open throughout the Meander Valley. Last year the owners of the houses were run off their feet with over 200 people visiting each house. To make a smooth day of it we are looking for volunteers to spend a few hours in a venue showing people through. If you are interested in helping out with Sustainable House Day please contact Sean Manners on 0412 294 779 or by email. Visit www.sustainablehouseday.org.au for more information.

Sustainable House Day 2010 - Southern Tasmania

Sunday, 12 September 10- 4pm
The Australian Solar Energy Society invites you to visit five sustainable homes in Acton, Howrah, Sandford, Lower Snug and Woodbridge.Details on www.sustainablehouseday.com

Australasian Permaculture Convergence 2010 - September 24-27 - Cairns

The dates of the Convergence again:  September 24 - 27 and the Tablelands Tour on the 28th.  But that's not all, there's lots of workshops, PDCs and wonderful eco-adventures to be had while your visiting the Far North.  So many reasons to come to the beautiful Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands. More information available here.

Regenerative Agriculture Workshop Series : AUS/NZ 2010

Sept-Nov 2010

This initiative is being developed and facilitated by leading farm education providers across Australia and New Zealand and features both international presenters Joel Salatin (US), Kirk Gadzia (US) & Eugenio Gras (MX) and locals Darren J. Doherty (AU) & Paul Taylor (AU) respected worldwide for their innovative contributions to farming methodology.

The workshops series will run state-by-state over a period of four months and cover a broad curriculum spanning grazing and farm management, through soil fertility and farm design to direct marketing and re-localisation strategies. An extraordinary company of worldwide expertise who will assemble (through the Regenerative Agriculture Workshop Series), the big picture concerning the present & future of agriculture & community. Farmers can get FREE registration. Visit the regenAG website for more info and to register.

Permaculture Design Certificate Course - Franklin

29 October - 12 November

Ever wanted your home and land to be a productive, resilient, efficient and beautiful place to be? Learn to design sustainable garden and land systems for yourself, your community and life. Permaculture offers a low energy, resource freindly, high yield approach to designing landscapes for people to provide food, energy, shelter and other needs. Internationally recongised permaculture teacher, Rick Coleman from Southern Permaculture Victoria will be sharing his deep and broad kknowledge and experience with us.  For more information and enrollements, contact Celia Leverton, Permaculture Association of Tasmania on 0429931640 or by email.

2010 Sustainable Living Expo

Saturday and Sunday - 6 & 7 November - Shed no. 1, Princes Wharf

Our annual celebration of sustainability - now in it's 12th year - Don't miss out on the excitement!  Put the dates in your diary early.  Visit www.sustainablelivingexpo.org.au for the latest information.

Critical Mass "Cycle Celebration"

5:15pm @ Franklin Square Last Friday of every month!!

Please come take part in a ride around Hobart to show your support for cycling and advocate for improved cycling infrastructure.