In its 2010 election commitment the Australian Government indicated that the key aims for a National Food Plan were to integrate food policy by looking at the whole food supply chain, to protect Australia’s food security, and to develop a strategy to maximise food production opportunities. It also outlined a wide range of issues it would consider when developing a Plan. The government is seeking feedback from stakeholders through written submissions which are now due by 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time Friday 2 September 2011.
The Australian Government is calling for applications for funding to support eligible stormwater harvesting and reuse projects under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan: stormwater harvesting and reuse grants round. Projects are sought that capture, treat and use stormwater to ease the pressure on drinking water supplies and deliver improved water quality to our urban waterways. Applications are due by Wednesday, 7 December 2011 (5pm AEDT).
The Water Resources and Freshwater Biodiversity adaptation network brings together Australia’s top water scientists with interests and skills in water resources and freshwater biodiversity, and the implications of climate change. There is an urgent need to understand the risks to Australia’s surface and groundwater resources and freshwater biodiversity due to climate change (in the context of other pressures) as well as the technical and policy interventions that will be required to meet future human water needs without further degrading freshwater ecosystems and the important natural assets and values they provide. The network is coordinated by the the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF).
National Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world. Biodiversity encompasses every living thing that exists on our planet and the environment in which they live. Australia is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84 per cent of our plants, 83 per cent of our mammals, and 45 per cent of our birds are endemic — that is, they are only found in Australia.
Wattles have long had special meanings for Australians and in 1988 the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially gazetted as Australia’s national floral emblem. In 1992, the first day of September each year was officially declared National Wattle Day throughout Australia – you can celebrate by:
Landcare Week is an awareness campaign for landcare and coastcare groups, farmers embracing sustainable farm management, ‘friends of’ groups, bushcare, rivercare, dunecare, Junior Landcare and any volunteer group that manages environmental issues at a local level. The purpose of the campaign is to assist groups in the landcare movement around Australia build capacity, create awareness in their community and encourage participation by attracting volunteers.
National Threatened Species Day (NTSD) is held on 7 September each year – commemorating the death of the last Tasmanian tiger at Hobart Zoo in 1936.
Sydney’s Manly Environment Centre is celebrating 20 years of environmental advocacy and community education with a high profile four day International Conference of Eco Ideas. This conference will focus on the interests and activities of Environment Centres and community activism throughout Australia and around the world. Its objective is for participants to share best practice experiences, establish networks and learn strategies on how to effect change in local communities. There are special offers available – for more information contact Manly Environment Centre.
Sustainable House Day is celebrating its 10th year, and the event will continue to showcase some of Australia’s most sustainable homes to the public as millions of Australians continue to embrace renewable energy, recycling, and other practices suitable to their lifestyles.
Clean Up the World is a community based environmental campaign that inspires and empowers communities from every corner of the globe to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment. Now in its 19th year, Clean Up the World, held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers from 130 countries annually, making it one of the largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world. The campaign’s flagship event is Clean Up the World Weekend, held on the 3rd weekend in September each year.