Ecoportal

Hidden in Plain Sight - a Nature Walk with Karen Retra
2022-06-18 09:30 - 11:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Victoria
Join naturalist Karen Retra for some fascinating insights into different ways of observing nature.
Do you use a smartphone? Karen will introduce the why’s and wherefores of recording your observations using your mobile phone, along with some of the apps that can make you an instant ‘citizen scientist’.
Prefer a pencil? Karen will introduce the concept of nature journaling as a way to record your encounters with nature.
This is a nature walk for the curious! Find out what’s hidden in plain sight on the River Red Gum trail and what you can do when you’ve found it…
Where: This month we will explore the Kiewa River at Baranduda. Find directions on our registration site.
What to expect: We will be walking on natural, unpaved and possibly uneven surfaces.
What to bring: BYO water bottle and hat, wear closed shoes and long pants, and dress for the weather.
Weather watch: This walk will go ahead unless there are floods, thunderstorms or heavy rain predicted.
Registration prior to the event is essential for communication, safety and insurance purposes. Click here to register.
This community event has been made possible with the support of the Victorian Government.

Power House - A renewable Energy Expo for residents and businesses within the Hume region.
2022-06-16 13:00 - 19:00
Renewable Albury Wodonga (RAW) and ACF-AWR are hosting a POWER HOUSE EVENT. This has been made possible through funding provided by the Hume Community Power Hub ‘Renewable Energy Readiness Fund’ in the Hume region, with major sponsorship matched by Mondo.
This event will incorporate two sessions: a daytime session for border area business and an evening session for residents. The purpose is to:

Inspire people to Electrify their Businesses and Residences to reduce emissions and save money
To showcase renewable energy developments in our area
To give businesses and residents access to information about renewables

The Business event will run from 1:00pm to 4:45pm

RSVP here for the Business Event

and the Residential event from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

RSVP here for Residential Event

The program contains diverse speakers delivering short sharp insights to the emerging energy transition, as well as providing access to installers and local businesses so attendees can have face to face conversations about their own renewable interests.
RSVP soon so that you don’t miss out on these events.

Have your say: Lower Kiewa catchment stewardship action plan
2022-06-15 00:00 - 23:59
Closing 15 June – have your say on the management of the Lower Kiewa catchment
Stewardship Action Plan for the Lower Kiewa
A Stewardship Action Plan is being prepared to guide management of land, water and biodiversity values in the Lower Kiewa catchment. This is an opportunity to support the community to connect and collaborate in catchment stewardship.
The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) are leading the development of the Stewardship Action Plan with input from a broader group of stakeholders, government and non-government organisations and the community.
RM Consulting Group (RMCG) have been engaged to support the North East CMA in the preparation of the Action Plan.

We want to hear from you
A key part of the action planning process is to capture community aspirations for the health of the Lower Kiewa catchment.
Over May and June 2022, RMCG are seeking input from the community to shape the Lower Kiewa Stewardship Action Plan. There are a number of ways in which you can share your views.
The link to the Lower Kiewa Stewardship Action Planning community survey and social pinpoint site is now live at
https://rmcg.mysocialpinpoint.com/necma-lower-kiewa-stewardship-action-plan
For more information, contact Sam Gitahi on 0418 145 240 or email samuel.gitahi@necma.vic.gov.au

Friends of the Kiewa River Community Working Bee
2022-06-11 09:00 - 11:00
As a follow up to our guided River walks, Parklands invite interested community members to participate in a short working bee improving the habitat value of the Kiewa River.
Come and explore the Kiewa river parklands, contribute to biodiversity conservation, and see if you can spot any rakali as we work!
Where: Directions on Humanitix registration site.
What we’ll be doing: We ask our River Stewards to do whatever is of interest on the day. Jobs to be done include removing a small volume of environmental woody weeds, stripping redundant fencing and preparing for planting. There will be options to match your capacity and interest, and light duty roles are many.
What is provided: All tools, materials and personal protective equipment is provided as is Ranger induction and session leadership.
What to bring: Participants must wear covered shoes (boots) and long pants at all sessions, preferably long sleeves as well, and bring your own hat and water bottle. Current Covid safety measures must also be followed.
Registration is essential for communications and safety purposes. Please REGISTER HERE

Benalla Sustainable Future Group AGM
2022-06-09 19:30 - 21:30
We invite you to attend our Annual General Meeting: 7.30 pm Thursday 9th June 2022 at the Benalla Uniting Church Fellowship Room.
Our Guest Speaker, Dr Lisa Rasmussen, is a Mercy Health clinician and holder of an Environmental Master’s degree. Lisa’s work in reducing the carbon foot print of Mercy Health has resulted in “Caring for People and Planet, Mercy Health’s Strategic Response to Laudato Si” – see the article on page five of our May Newsletter, ‘Helen Haines Meeting on Net Zero Agriculture’, where Lisa reminded the audience that achieving Net Zero will also require us to also consider the Scope 3 emissions embodied in the goods and services we purchase.
Lisa has titled her talk, “How might we truly reduce our carbon emissions, leading to a fair and just society. Laudato Si’ and Mercy Health’s approach to reducing its carbon footprint”.
Supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.
