BruceBoyes.info » Urban Environment News

Koala added to national list of threatened species

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:45:25 +0000

Environment Minister Tony Burke has announced Australia’s most at-risk koala populations need to be included on the national list of threatened species. Minister Burke has decided to list koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as vulnerable under national environment law.

Lyme disease and working safely in tick prone environments

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:44:18 +0000

The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) NSW has published a special tick edition of their monthly newsletter. This edition discusses Lyme disease, other tick borne diseases and how to work safely in tick prone areas.

Call for Abstracts – National Landcare Conference 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:43:15 +0000

The National Landcare Conference is being held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3-5 September 2012. This year’s conference will take place in Landcare Week and will be an exciting opportunity to bring together people that are interested in creating sustainable landscapes for the 21st century. The 2012 conference theme “Landcare- the future in our hands”. Submissions of presentation abstracts or poster displays are invited by Tuesday 12 June 2012.

Partners sought for Youth Leading the World 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:42:30 +0000

OzGREEN is looking for local, regional, national and global partners for Youth Leading the World 2012. Imagine thousands of young people coming together in multiple locations simultaneously, to focus their attention on global sustainability challenges such as energy, food, climate change and water and plan together how they can create fairer futures. Youth Leading the World (YLTW) is a bold initiative from OzGREEN that seeks to accelerate the shift to fair futures by building a movement of inspired leaders.

Additional 12 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) declared

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 15:41:48 +0000

The Australian Weeds Committee has declared an additional 12 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). The additional weeds have been selected based on their economic, environmental and social impacts and their potential to spread. They are African Boxthorn, Asparagus weeds, Bellyache Bush, Brooms, Cat’s Claw Creeper, Fireweed, Gamba Grass, Madeira Vine, Opuntioid Cacti, Sagittaria, Silverleaf Nightshade and Water Hyacinth. For more information on the Weeds of National Significance visit Weeds Australia – Weeds of National Significance.

Survey – Sydney Catchment Action Plan

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:40:37 +0000

The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) is upgrading its Catchment Action Plan (CAP) for the Sydney region. The CAP is the overarching document guiding natural resource management in the region and is central to the delivery of natural resource management in Sydney. SMCMA would like to invite you to provide input into the new Catchment Action Plan by completing an online survey which will remain open until the end of May 2012.

Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:39:10 +0000

Launched in March 2012, the Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance (AESA) is comprised of organisations from the education, union, youth and environment sectors that want a higher prioritisation of sustainability in the education system. AESA is achieving this by advocating and lobbying for best practice education for sustainability policy to fulfil the vision of a sustainable Australia. The March launch included the release of AESA’s first report The State of Education for Sustainability in Australia.

Environmental Decisions Group Decision Point magazine issues 58 and 59

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:37:21 +0000

The Environmental Decisions Group (EDG) and Decision Point magazine are all about smart science for wise decisions – issues 58 and 59 of Decision Point magazine are now available.

Low Carbon Future Cities Project

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:36:06 +0000

Increasing urbanisation and climate change are two of the great challenges of the 21st century. In response, the Low Carbon Future Cities (LCFC) project was initiated to develop a low carbon, adaptation and circular economy strategy to address the large mitigation potential in urban areas by and through engaging cities and stakeholders in both China and Germany in an integrative approach. The project will scientifically explore the Low Carbon Future City concept in two case studies: the German region of Düsseldorf+ and the Chinese city of Wuxi.

New Guide – Public Sector Environmental Management

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:35:26 +0000

Produced by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the Public Sector Environmental Management Guide aims to assist Australian Government public sector entities to improve environmental management practices and reduce the environmental impacts of their operation, foster greater efficiencies and operational cost savings, and meet legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.

World Migratory Bird Day 12-13 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:33:23 +0000

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to help raise awareness around a specific theme. The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2012 is “Migratory birds and people – together through time”.

National Volunteer Week 14-20 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:32:36 +0000

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 6.1 million Australians who volunteer. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2012 is “Volunteers – Every One Counts”.

Free webinar – Going solar: things to know when choosing a PV system 15 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:31:49 +0000

In conjunction with bankmecu, the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) presents a series of free online presentations to share practical knowledge about energy efficiency, sustainable building and water conservation at home. Webinars are broadcast live for view over your web browser, and will be available for playback on demand afterwards. The fourth webinar in the series on Tuesday 15 May will give an introduction to incentives available for solar PV systems, and things to consider before taking the plunge and buying, including size of system, what to buy, warranties, installation and choosing a supplier.

International Museum Day 18 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:30:25 +0000

Every year since 1977, International Museum Day has been held to increase public awareness of the role of museums in developing society. The theme for International Museum Day 2012 is “Museums in a Changing World – New challenges, New inspirations”.

Alternative Futures Conference Newcastle 21-24 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:29:21 +0000

The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy (HCCREMS) team and the councils of the region invite you to participate in the Alternative Futures Conference. Convened over three days in Newcastle NSW, the conference will deliver an exciting multidisciplinary event addressing sustainability, climate and risk, land use planning, biodiversity conservation, liveable communities and urban design.

International Day for Biological Diversity 22 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:27:42 +0000

The United Nations proclaimed 22 May The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity 2012 is “Marine Biodiversity”.

THECA 11th Bushcare Forum Brisbane 26 May 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:26:50 +0000

Brisbane’s The Hut Environmental & Community Association Inc (THECA) is hosting its 11th Bushcare Forum on 26 May 2012 with the theme “Connections: Spatial, Social and Temporal Links for Biodiversity”. The forum will explore the significance of connection issues in restoring and managing biodiversity for the long-term future and sustainability of the South East Queensland region.

World Environment Day 5 June 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:25:58 +0000

World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round but climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere. The theme for World Environment Day 2012 is “Green Economy: Does it include you?”

National Tree Day Sunday 29 July 2012, Schools Tree Day Friday 27 July 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:25:00 +0000

National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day combine to make Australia’s biggest community tree planting and nature care event. In 2011, thousands of Australians planted more 1 million native trees, shrubs and grasses at over 2900 Tree Day events across the country. This year, National Tree Day is on Sunday 29 July 2012 and Schools Tree Day is on Friday 27 July 2012.

Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) Conference Perth 28-30 November 2012

Bruce Boyes — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:24:04 +0000

The inaugural conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) will be held in Perth, Western Australia, on 28-30 November 2012. For land managers, scientists and practitioners who work in biodiversity restoration, this SERA meeting will provide a critical international forum at a time of significance for the region’s species, ecosystems and landscapes.

Cities and Flooding: A Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century

Bruce Boyes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:28:24 +0000

Urban flooding is a serious and growing development challenge. It is a global phenomenon which causes widespread devastation, economic damages and loss of human lives. The occurrence of floods is the most frequent among all natural disasters globally. In 2010 alone, 178 million people were affected by floods. The total losses in exceptional years such as 1998 and 2010 exceeded $40 billion. Cities and Flooding: A Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century provides forward-looking operational assistance to policy makers and technical specialists in the rapidly expanding cities and towns of the developing world on how best to manage the risk of floods. It takes a strategic approach, in which appropriate risk management measures are assessed, selected and integrated in a process that both informs and involves the full range of stakeholders.

Public comments – Draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan

Bruce Boyes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:28:02 +0000

The Australian Government is developing a strategy to restore and manage ecological connections in the Australian landscape. The National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group has prepared a Draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan. The Advisory Group is seeking public comments and consulting with key stakeholders before preparing a final plan for consideration by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Have your say – comments close 20 April 2012.

Australian weed identification tool now available online

Bruce Boyes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:26:40 +0000

Courtesy of Biosecurity Queensland, the key to Environmental Weeds of Australia is now available for free online. This interactive identification and information resource for over 1000 invasive plants is an invaluable resource for all those involved with research, training and management of environmental weeds in Australia, especially State and local weed control officers, Bushcare and Landcare volunteers.

National Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme Launched

Bruce Boyes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:00:38 +0000

On 29 February 2012, the Australian Green Infrastructure Council (AGIC) launched the IS rating scheme for the design, construction and operation of Australian infrastructure, with the IS rating tool now available for use.

FOODmap: An analysis of the Australian food supply chain

Bruce Boyes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:59:45 +0000

Released in early March 2012, FOODmap is a comprehensive comparative analysis of food distribution channels for major categories within the Australian food industry, from food producer to consumer. It summarises the key features of a food industry that continues to undergo change, with significant opportunities and challenges at a category level.