desertSMART EcoFair, Central Australia’s premier science and sustainability event, is happening this weekend across multiple venues in Alice Springs.
EcoFair is organised by the Arid Lands Environment Centre, as part of National Science Week, and is sponsored by the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia Initiative, as well as a range of local community sponsors.
Here’s a reminder of what’s happening:
Friday 12th August
9am-2pm Eco-Science Schools Day @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Local school groups participate in hands on science and sustainability workshops.
4pm-6pm ABC 783 Outside Broadcast @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Join us at the Bean Tree Café Courtyard with guest speaker Costa Georgiadis and some great prizes up for grabs in the Great Science Quiz. This is a free family event.
6pm-10pm Alice Springs Bicycle Film Festival @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
The popular family event is back with local, national, and international films all featuring the humble bicycle! 6pm. $5
Saturday 13th August
9-11am Food for Alice Local Produce Market 90 Gap Road
10.30am-11.30am Understanding Your Waste Tours @ the Alice Springs Town Council Regional Waste Management Facility
15 minute tours at 10.30am, 11.00am, 11.30am. Meet at the Rediscovery Centre. RSVP to [email protected] 89500594
1.30pm-3.30pm Nurturing Gardens with Costa @ Alice Springs Community Garden
Frances Smith Memorial Park Learn how to nurture arid zone gardens with Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia). $20.
5.30pm Science Under the Stars @ Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre
Enjoy a sunset tour, a 3-course dinner, a star tour, special guests and entertainment under the stars. Tickets: $65 Book online at: https://earthsanctuarytours.rezdy.com/118003/science-under-the-stars
Sunday 14th August
8am Bike ride to the Alice Springs Desert Park with Costa Georgiadis Meet @ ALEC 90 Gap Road. Join Costa in a fun group bike ride via the new bike track to the Alice Springs Desert Park.
9am-3pm Sustainable Living Festival and Eco-markets @ Alice Springs Desert Park Courtyard
Join us in the Alice Springs Desert Park Courtyard for the EcoFair Sustainable Living Festival and Eco-markets. $5.
Climate science and solar technology will be a feature at desertSMART Ecofair 2016, with Professor Lesley Hughes (The Climate Council) and Claire O’Rourke (National Director, Solar Citizens) being guest speakers at the EcoFair Sustainable Living Festival on Sunday August 14th at the Alice Springs Desert Park Courtyard.
Kiwirrkurra Ranger Patrick Green will be also be attending the Sustainable Living Festival on Sunday with Kate Crossing from the Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area to launch the Ninu Festival Film and run a workshop on techniques being used to protect the bilby.
EcoFair ambassador Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) will be present at all EcoFair events throughout the weekend, bringing with him his passion and enthusiasm for EcoFair and the broader Alice Springs community.
“The desertSMART EcoFair has been happening for 8 years now and has connected thousands of community members and visitors to science and sustainability in Alice Springs,” said desertSMART EcoFair organiser Nicole Pietsch.
“The event is a focal point for scientific research and sustainability initiatives that exist in Central Australia, it shares the expertise of high profile science and sustainability guests, and it’s about our community coming together and being part of the conversation about how we make our future more sustainable.”
“It’s a great program this year with speakers, workshops, films food, music, kids activities and the Sunday eco-markets. We encourage community members and visitors to join us, and be part of that conversation in a great community atmosphere and setting.”
For more information and the EcoFair program go to www.ecofair.org.au