Hi friends, you can still book tickets to the CWA climate emergency talk coming up on Monday night at the Gleeson Centre in Darebin Parklands (just at the end of Separation Street).

After the extreme weather of the last week across Australia it’s a pretty good time to find out more about the implications of climate change if you’re not sure what it means and what we could do to make a difference.

For further info and to book in just click here. And remember, there’ll be yummy food provided - thanks CWA!

We have had a recent blitz of glass jar donations. And now we find we have too many … our Craftberry Jam community arts project has wound up and we have a big tub full to overflowing in our shed for preserving group etc.

So, we hope that if you are looking to donate your jars you might be kind enough to send them elsewhere for a little while … like Moon Rabbit Cafe in Preston which is part of Bridge Darebin (another Neighbourhood House in our network). They use jars as take away coffee cups as part of their ‘no waste’ commitment, and so they get through an awful lot!

Thanks. And we’ll let you know when our stockpile is depleted and we’re in need again!

We can all see the impact of our changing climate through extreme weather and record bushfires.

Our local CWA is putting on an in-person (how exciting to see real people in real life) climate emergency talk at the Darebin Parklands Gleeson Centre (at the end of Separation Street), accompanied by a catered supper (made by the wonderful CWA cooks) on Monday 29 March, at 7pm.

The talk is presented by Alphington local Graeme Martin, who completed former Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership certification in 2020.

This presentation aims to help people better understand climate change and the range of positive opportunities available to them to take action.

It will cover:

• The science of climate change and why we must take action

• Solutions, what are the possibilities that will reduce carbon pollution

• What we as individuals or organisations can do.

If you are keen to find out more about climate change and what action you can take to make a difference (and to eat yummy food at the same time) you can book in here.

A few ideas to further your gardening knowledge today.

Did you know that Yarra City Council is part of the My Smart Garden program? The program is a multi-Council collaboration that supports residents to adapt to a changing climate and to resource scarcity by turning outdoor spaces into productive, functional gardens.

The My Smart Garden program promotes ‘smart gardening’ through workshops, events, online resources, incentives and community connections. It takes a holistic approach to sustainable home gardening across five elements: food, shelter, waste, water and habitat.

Just click on the link above to access the wide range of great resources.

In addition, you may also be interested in the free webinars that Council is running …

Love your soil! – Tuesday 2nd March 6:30 – 9:00pm

Understanding soils and how to build their health and fertility, increase their water and nutrient holding capacity and balance pH, and nutrients is the most important step you can take towards a continual good harvest! Join Kat Lavers as she discusses why soil health has many implications for the health of your plants, levels of pest damage and even the exposure to heavy metals. This is a free online workshop, however registration is essential. Book in here.

Seed saving and propagation 101 with Kat Lavers – Tuesday 9th March 6:30 – 9:00pm

Join passionate gardener and facilitator Kat Lavers and be guided through the basics of seed saving and propagation. This webinar will explain how to save your own strong, locally adapted seeds, discuss methods of effective storage, and also outline a few ways to propagate plants easily at home, including growing from seed without spending a cent on seed raising mix! This is a free online workshop, however registration is essential. Book in here.

Are you interested in community-led climate action?

Do you want to skill up and work with others in your area to take climate action?

Yarra, Darebin and Moreland Councils are partnering on a new program to support people across our cities to take climate action. This could be running campaigns, advocacy, community projects, conversations, arts projects and more!

The nine-session program will run from late April and then again from early September and include a range of speakers. Participants will:

• Build relationships with others who are committed to taking climate action

• Hear from people who are active in climate action 

• Explore what collective local action and advocacy can look like and how to reach out within and beyond your networks

• Gain skills to plan and run effective campaigns, including using social media and other online tools 

• Explore working effectively with others, sharing the load and self-care

Up to 75 people will be able to take part in the program — 25 from each Council area.

Applications for the 2021 program are now open. Click here to register your Expression of Interest  by Sunday 14 March.