We are now in BUNURU
(Noongar Season Feb/ March)
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HOME AUDIT WORKSHOP:
ENERGY, WASTE & WATER
Last Saturday 24th Feb a group of 11 participants gathered at a local Denmark home and were fully engaged in every step of the audit with Rob Gulley (experienced auditor). Rob walked everyone through how to read meters, figure out where energy and water were being used and the steps that could be taken to make the biggest reductions. Participants from Amaroo Village and the Mia Mia Housing Cooperative could see how doing audits in their communities could both reduce energy and water use, save money and start the discussion about how to make changes to electrify everything to drive the changes needed to combat climate change.
“Saving energy, waste and water means reducing waste and figuring out how to make our homes more comfortable and less resource guzzling” said Rob Gulley of Green Services who was contracted by Green Skills to lead the audit.
People walked away with a better understanding of their energy and water use, how to reduce waste and to sort and compost to the maximum, and discovered what they can do to make a difference. As one participant said – "I was attracted to come because it was practical". Knowing what to do is highly motivating. More audit workshops will be organized if community members let us know they are ready and keen to be involved!
This event was supported by Green Skills, the Shire of Denmark and the WA Waste Authority.
Home Audit kits are available to borrow from Green Skills free of charge!
To arrange please contact Rhian Thomas to book in a time denmarkprojectofficer@greenskills.org.au.
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Images above: Top: Rob emptying contents of the recycle bin to explain where the items will end up, and what is considered a 'contaminant'. Middle left: Rob explaining the electricity meter reading to homeowners Marie and Ross. Middle right: Recycling tip - exercise books need to be torn into sections of no more than 20pages. Bottom: Workshop participants 'all ears'.
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TOTALLY RENEWABLE DENMARK
UPCOMING COMMUNITY TABLE TALK
“Denmark has already shown it is serious about climate change with the wind farm creating 42% of our electricity needs plus a third of households and lots of businesses installing solar energy".
Totally Renewable Denmark is about making sure that local renewable energy is generating 100% of what we use and that we are taking steps as a community towards creating our low carbon future - driving an energy reduction revolution and transitioning to ‘electrify everything’.
The TRD working group is organizing a Table Talk event on 29 April 10 – 2pm venue TBC because we want to know what local householders and businesses are doing, what they are thinking about doing, what gets in their way and to share some of the ideas on what we can do together to step up to make Totally Renewable Demark a reality in our near future.
If you want to volunteer to help – give Louise a call 0429 409 231.
Want to be involved in the conversation of Denmark's Energy Future?
SAVE THE DATE: 29th APRIL '23
TOTALLY RENEWABLE DENMARK
- COMMUNITY TABLE TALK EVENT -
10am - 2pm Venue TBC More information to follow
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Head to the Tip Shop and check out the new mural!
" Creation-Level Event Dreaming' in Whale Shark Galaxy"
Depicting the 'big story' of life, the universe and everything from the perspective of the never-never.
Artist: Jeff Phillip
Thanks to Green Skills Denmark Tip Shop, Denmark Arts, Amber Launay and Denmark Arts Staff, Basil Schur, Anita Cottle, Lia Hadef, Sabrina Elati, Larry Hirshowitz, Michael Cranny, Richard Amuzu, and Denmark!
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REVIEW
COMMUNITY GARDENS OF THE
SOUTHWEST FORUM
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There was a great turnout with participants coming from Pemberton, Bridgetown, Walpole, Albany, Narrogin, Wagin and of course Denmark.
A huge THANK-YOU!! to all the wonderful presenters- Chris Smyth, WA Coordinator of Community Gardens Australia; Lisa Gibson Ashbil Community Garden, Bridgetown, and Greenbushes Community Garden; Charlie Mgee + Brenna Quinlan, Karlee + Megan from Southern Regional TAFE.
This event was supported by the Shire of Denmark whose environmental grants program supported the Forum, the garden educational mural (new) and the garden workshop program.
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CONSERVING BIODIVERISTY ON FARMS
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Image above: Tootanellup Wetland Cultural Survey Feb '23 with Paul Greenfelf, Larry Blyth and Ruth Maddren. Photo by Rhian Thomas
TOOTANELLUP TO KOI-KYENUNU-RUFF
STRATEGIC
BUSHLAND ECO-RESTORATION
Green Skills has been working with Cranbrook farmers, South Coast NRM, the Gillamii Centre, and State NRM has expanded its program of working to fencing bushland on farms forms a vital part of caring for biodiversity in the fragmented agricultural landscape between the Walpole Wilderness Area National Parks and the Stirling Ranges (Koi-Kyenunu-ruff). This forms part of Gondwana Link (https://gondwanalink.org/).
Recently a team of us have worked with four farming families to survey 720 hectares of high value bushland around Geekabee Hill. 438ha which requires new or replacement fencing. Over 9 threatened floral species are known from Geekabee.
The overall project aims to tackle remnant vegetation decline in the Forest to Stirlings biodiversity hotspot between Mt Roe and Stirling Range National Parks. Strategic sites include upland bushland on farms adjoining Stirling Ranges, Tootanellup wetlands, Lake Nunijup farms and Balijup Eco Sanctuary. Outcomes include:
- Protection of proteaceous rich areas including Kwongan heathland vegetation remnants on Cranbrook farms by installing stock exclusion fencing.
- Cultural surveys with Noongar elders and rangers and formulation of a plan for the Tootanellup wetlands
- Remnant vegetation assessments and protection plans on strategic farms in the Lake Nunijup district..
- Community engaged investigations at Balijup eco-Sanctuary and strategic planning.
The Green Skills Forest to Stirlings eco-restoration project is supported by South Coast NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program,and has also received funding as part of the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program of the WA Government, the Koorabup Trust with additional assistance provided by landholders, the Gillamii Centre, Birdlife WA, and Gondwana Link.
Examples of bushland assessment reports include
Caloola Farm Cranbrook – Planning for Remnant Vegetation Conservation
https://greenskills.org.au/download/caloola-farm-cranbrook-planning-for-remnant-vegetation-conservation/
Planning for Bushland Conservation on the Preston Family Farm, West Cranbrook
https://greenskills.org.au/download/planning-for-bushland-conservation-on-the-preston-family-farm/
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Image above: Mel Howe, Rhian Thomas and Brett Smith at Caloola Farm Bushland Survey Day Oct '22
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WELA LEADERSHIP INTENSIVE
WITH THE CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF WA (CCWA)
Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) Leadership Programs are transformational for women who want to accelerate positive change for our environment and climate. WELA empower people to identify their own approach to leadership, and to recognise and step into their power to influence.
Designed by and for women and gender-diverse people working for and committed to tackling our environmental crisis, the WELA Leadership Intensive for Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) is a new opportunity based on the successful WELA National Leadership Program.
Rhian Thomas of Green Skills has been successful in her application and will be attending the upcoming Intensive in March being held in the Perth Hills. The leadership development program will bring together 20 women and gender diverse people for 3-days and will be facilitated by Dr. Louise Duxbury, Giz Watson and Stephanie Poly.
Applications are now closed for the March Intensive.
Sign up to the newsletter to be informed of upcoming opportunities.
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NATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN - closing Monday, 6 March 2023
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
An annual leadership development program developed over more than 10 years of research and practice.
Available to 20 women across Australia each year.
Mixing online with in-person retreat format, and a diverse range of guest speakers over a 7 month period.
Tailored mentoring, developing skills, building networks and addressing your real-life challenges to transform your leadership.
"This is a decade where we need to upskill ourselves, be connected together and collaborate to achieve and address the key challenges of our time. The WELA program helps us by skilling us up, connecting us and really being alive to the contribution that we as women are uniquely placed to make for this particular decade and beyond" Monica Richter, Senior Manager Low Carbon Futures, WWF and WELA 2022 Alumna
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Performance Schedule 2023
Fri 17 March Chapter 1, Margaret River / Wooditjup
Sun 19 March Chapter 2, Northcliffe
Fri 24 March Chapter 3, Porongurup / Borongur
Sun 26 March Chapter 4, Fitzgerald Biosphere
Sat 1 April Chapter 5, Kalgoorlie / Karlkurla / Garlgula
The Stars Descend is a vast trail of contemporary dance performances that aims to transform how people see and care for our country. It will showcase the importance of climate action and restoring health to the land. Inspired by eco-restoration efforts across the Gondwana Link, it will convey hope to audiences. The Stars Descend story unfolds over five regional locations from 17 March – 1 April, 2023.
Each location is a chapter in the story that has been co-created by some of Western Australia’s most impressive artists working with local community members. The project is
Performances will take place in spectacular outdoor settings to celebrate the rich biodiversity and ongoing restoration along the Gondwana Link’s 1000 kilometre ecological pathway.
We’re using stars as a powerful symbol of hope, agency, and action. Stars represent ideas of deep time and the interconnectedness of people and the natural world.
BUY TICKETS HERE
Image below: The Stars Descend Porongorup by Annette Carmichael Projects. Photo by Nic Duncan
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The Stars Descend: Gondwana Link’s Eco-Restoration
Tag-along Tour in the Fitz-Stirling area
All day, Saturday 25 March 2023
Join Gondwana Link’s CEO Keith Bradby OAM on an inspiring tag-along tour in the Fitz-Stirling section of the Gondwana Link.
We will visit three key conservation and restoration properties and experience some of the region’s Goreng Noongar culture and enterprise. Guests will have the opportunity to meet a number of the incredible people and organisations leading this work: Eddy and Donna Wajon from Chingarrup Sanctuary; Uncle Eugene Eades at Nowanup; Alex Hams at Bush Heritage’s Monjebup North Reserve; and restoration ecologist Justin Jonson.
We hope participants will be inspired to help us create powerful and lasting change that benefits the natural environment, First Nation peoples’ aspirations, and the Gondwana Link program!
This is a special, ticketed tour for audience members of at least one of The Stars Descend dance performances. The number of tour guests is capped at about 35. The ticket price covers some of the costs associated with the day, including catering.
The Fitz-Stirling area is between the Fitzgerald River National Park and the Stirling Range National Park. In total, the tour will cover about 295 km, including 37 km of gravel roads.
Please visit The Stars Descend page for further information, or enquire here.
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SAVE THE DATE
29th APRIL
Want to be involved in the conversation of Denmark's Energy Future?
TOTALLY RENEWABLE DENMARK
COMMUNITY TABLE TALK EVENT
- COMING SOON -
29/4/23 10am - 2pm Venue TBC
More information to follow
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DENMARK KWOORABUP COMMUNITY GARDEN
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Denmark Kwoorabup Community Garden
Click HERE - a short YouTube Denmark Community Garden video
The Denmark Kwoorabup Community Garden is located adjacent to the Denmark Community Resource Centre in the south coast town of Denmark in Western Australia. The garden was established in 2019 by Green Skills in partnership with the Denmark CRC, and provides a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about growing organic vegetables and fruit. The fun and educational events and workshops are open to all. People interested in participating can contact the Denmark Community Garden's project manager, by email at Basil Schur, or phone Green Skills (98483310) or the Denmark CRC (98482842) office.
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Tootanellup Eco-Restoration Works ongoing
Green Skills is continuing to work with Carbon Positive Australia (CPA) on its exciting Tootanellup eco-restoration project.
In August 2021, a team of Tambellup Noongar Rangers helped plant more than 10,000 local trees and shrubs at Tootanellup as part of eco-restoration on the property. The team worked with Dr Geoff Woodall, CPA and Green Skills on this revegetation program (Yr 2 of project). Future plans for Tootanellup are ongoing ecological surveys and the planning for the construction of an eco-education facility, with funding support from The Koorabup Trust. A big thanks to all our numerous community donors and the hours of volunteer specialist input into environmental monitoring and eco-reports by Steve and Geraldine Janike.
Just a bit of history about the project: In 2020 Green Skills received support from the Koorabup Trust and Gondwana Link Pty Ltd to undertake a feasibility study for the potential for conservation property acquisition in the Forests to Stirling section of Gondwana Link. This property assessment project lead to the purchase by Green Skills Inc of the 50 hectare conservation property, Tootanellup, an outstanding and high-conservation worthy rural property strategically located between wetland and nature reserves west of Mount Barker in WA's south west. Green Skills has reported on the first year of activities at the Tootanellup Eco-Restoration Project, captured in a 3 minute YouTube video - click here to watch.
In February 2022 Green Skills coordinated a Bio Blitz wetland survey of the adjoining Tootanellup Lagoon reserve. A report on this is available at https://greenskills.org.au/download/tootanellup-wetlands-investigation-2022/
Green Skills continues to seek ongoing donor support to bring the long-term vision for this Tootanellup initiative to fulfillment. You can be part of this exciting new conservation opportunity by donating now. Background information and a donation form for the Tootanellup property can be downloaded at https://drive.google.com/.../1wr1aUoTtAKRSeq1MaHT.../view...
Watch Green Skills new YouTube video that captures going on country at Tootanellup with Noongar Elder Lynette Knapp - click HERE
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