Threatened Species Week Event: Koala Conservation in SEQ
Thursday 8 September 2011
- Cathryn Dexter - A member of Griffith's Environmental Futures Centre, Cathryn is the Project Manager for a major koala road kill mitigation project funded by the Qld Government. The ultimate goal of the project is to create a permeable landscape that will allow animals to move around without having to interact with roadways. It's the first study of its kind in Australia and will hopefully lead to road wildlife mitigation becoming standard government policy for all linear infrastructure design.
- Michael Fox - Michael is one of those inspirational people showing us what can be done and how. Michael is involved with Mount Gravatt Environment Group, Fox Gully Bushcare and other environment groups. Koala populations are strengthening in these areas of bushland rehabilitation. Michael will present a talk entitled "Blurring the Boundaries". As wildlife does not recognise human created boundaries, effective habitat consolidation and linking required cooperation of a diverse range of property owners. The presentation includes information on wildlife corridors, Fox Gully restoration, Mimosa Creek, Mt Gravatt reserve, Firefly Gully and more. Michael builds hope by showing that a whole of community approach it can be achieved. View Michael's presentation here [PDF 611KB]
Sustainable design and green roofs
Thursday 18 November 2010
Speakers
- Dr Janis Birkleland PhD Sustainability, JD Law, M Arch, BA Art - Janis is a professor of architecture and has worked as an architect and lawyer (as well as an artist, advocacy planner, urban designer and city planner) before moving to Australia, where she became a researcher and educator. She has written over 100 papers, and given over 100 invited talks in sustainable development. She originiated the concepts of Positive Development and Design for Eco-services, which challenge the dominant paradigm of sustainability. Her books are Design for Sustainability (2002) and Positive Development (2008).
- Sidonie Carpenter - President of Green Roofs Australia Inc. Sidonie is involved in writing green roof standards and training programs for Australia, and in the development and promoton of the environmental benfits, while providing strategies for the design and implementation of green roofs and living walls in Australian cities. Sidonie is also the principle of her own Landscape Design Company - Green Canopy. View Sidonie's presentation here [PDF 5.76MB]
Creating a healthy home
EcoCentre sustainable and healthly living workshop series
23 October 2010
The creating a healthy home workshop from the EcoCentre's sustainable and healthy living series provided attendees with the knowledge of:
- Assessing the toxicity of your home
- How eliminating toxins in the home can improve your health
- Where household toxins come from and how you can avoid them
Special guest presenter Narelle Chenery, cofounder of ONE Group and formulator of the world's first certified organic skin and body care products, Miessence, shared her knowledge on creating a healthy home.
Nanotechnology
27 May 2010
- Professor Debra Bernhardt is the Director of the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre. Debra provided an overview of Nanotechnology, what it is, its applications and current research in this field.
- Dr Kristen Lyons is a Senior Lecturer with Griffith University, School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences. Kristen discussed some of the recent scientific and public debate around pulic health, environment and social issues and the concerns associated with nanotechnology, as well as the applications of this technology across agriculture and food sectors. View Kristen's presentation [PDF 31.6KB].
Chemical Free Kids
15 April 2010
The Chemical Free Kids fourm demonstrated; how chemicals get into the human body and what makes a chemical toxic, why kids are particularly susceptible to the chemicals and the health and behavioural impacts, how we currently measure chemicals and determine their safety and the assumptions we make as consumers, as well as how to identify harmful chemicals and the ten most common and toxic chemicals to look out for.
- Dr Sarah Lantz is a writer, lecturer, researcher and mother. She has a background in public health and mental health, and specialises in the area of child and youth health and wellbeing. She has written and spoken extensively on the issue of chemicals and kids and published the best selling book Chemical Free Kids: Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World. View Sarah's presentation [PDF 4.34MB].
Greening your organisation
9 October 2009
A presentation by Leith Sharp - Founding Director of the Harvard Green Campus Initiative
Leith Sharp has a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Education (Human Development & Psychology) from Harvard University. She has 18 years of experience in greening universities, beginning her career as an elected student environment officer before being employed to create the University of New South Wales Management Program in 1995. In 1999 Harvard recruited Leith to become the founding director of Harvard's Green Campus Initiative. Over the next 9 years Leith worked to build the largest green campus organisation in the world funding this effort largely on the savings it produced, employing over 23 full time professional staff and 30 part time students, bringing Harvard to the forefront as a global leader in campus sustainability. View Leith's presentation [PDF 5.06MB].Innovative Sustainable Technologies
24 September 2009
This forum highlighted the importance of sustainable technologies and showcased some local innovations with the potential to male the world a more sustainable place.- Biolytix is a wastewater treatment system that utilises nature not machinery to treat wastewater. It is a winner of many prestigious awards, including the Asian Innovation Award, for its potential to solve world problems and is currently nominated for the 2009 Time Magazine world Technology Award for the Environment. The presentation [PDF 349K] was given by Dr Thomas Loetshcer, Manager Knowledge & Research, Biolytix Pty Ltd.
Organic food
13 August 2009
- Dr Kristen Lyons is a Senior Lecturer with the Griffith University School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences. Kristen overviewed some of the social, economic and environmental benefits of organic agriculture. In the context of the current global food crisis, including climate change, peak oil and growing rates of hunger and food insecurity, Kristen discussed the contributions of organics. View Kristen's presentation [PDF 1.5MB].
- Marg Will, the General Manager of the organic certification body Organic Food Chain, provided an insiders look at the organic industry in Australia and worldwide, as well as international legislative requirements.
- Les Nichols, an organic farmer from Sandy Creek Organic Farm shared his wealth of experience and knowledge about organic farming.
Are you poisoning yourself again?
7 May 2009
- Lisa Malcolm an environmental scientist at the EcoCentre. Lisa's presentation will assist you to create a healthier home by making informed choices on cleaning products and safer use of plastics.
- Narelle Chenery, back by popular demand, is a world wide educator and activitst. She revolutionsed the beauty industry by creating the worlds first certified organic skin and personal care range. Narelle's presentation outlines the hidden dangers of the cosmetic industry.
- Dr Greg Emerson is the founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre and co-director of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine QLD. Dr Emerson's presentation demonstrates the body's intrinsic ability to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness (which can include environmental toxins) is removed.
Green Carbon - the role of natural forests in carbon storage
12 September 2008Green carbon is the carbon stored in the plants and soil of natural ecosystems and is a vital part of the global carbon cycle. Currently, international rules are "colour blind" so that the green carbon, especially forests, is not recognized, leading to perverse outcomes. In this presentation [PDF 2.85MB], Professor Brendan Mackey presents results from ongoing research into the carbon carrying capacity of Australia's natural ecosystems, and discusses implications of this research for climate change policy.
- Brendan Mackey is a Professor of Environmental Science at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at The Australian National University. He has a PhD in plant ecology, and has previously worked as a research scientist with the CSIRO, the Canadian Forest Service, and the CRC for Greenhouse Accounting.
Are you poisoning yourself?
Thursday 17 July 2008
Check out the following presentations to find out about the potentially dangerous toxins we expose ourselves to daily in cosmetics and household cleaning products. These toxins that can harm us and the environment are easily avoidable when you know how.-
Narelle Chenery: a world wide educator and activist who revolutionised the beauty industry by creating the worlds first certified organic skin and personal care range. Narelle's presentation [PDF 382K] exposes the secrets of the toxic cosmetic industry.
- Averyll Fitzgerald: Managing Director of Energy Health and Living, Averyll's presentation [PDF 544K] outlines the dangers of toxins and how to eliminate them from your household and environment.
- Joanne Costello: founder of Ebar and well being crusader Joanne's presentation [PDF 480K] discusses cosmetic lables and how to avoid toxins.
Renewable Energy - practicalities and community initiatives
23 April 2008
Check out the following presentations to learn about the myths and realities of renewable energy in the home and some ways communties are taking matters into their own hands to make renewable energy more accessible.
- Mr Russ Holmes: Representative of Local Power, a community group who organised a bulk purchase for solar panels, resulting in a very significant price reduction. Local Power presentation [PDF 1.82MB]
- Trevor Berrill: Trevor is an award winning sustainable energy systems consultant and a founding member of the Alternative Technology Assocaition. Trevor has over 20 years experience in the renewable energy field. His presentation examines the practicalities and performance estimation of renewable energy for the home. Sustainable homes presentation [PDF 2.02 MB]