The desertSMART EcoFair is Central Australia’s premier science and sustainability event and is organised by the Arid Lands Environment Centre as part of National Science Week.
EcoFair aims to educate, inspire and activate the community around science and sustainability issues, and features high profile speakers, engaging panels and workshops, and films.
Since 2009 the Ecofair has connected thousands of people to science and sustainability in Alice Springs.
desertSMART Ecofair 2018
In 2018 special guests include Amanda McKenzie (CEO, The Climate Council), Professor Jenny Davis (Charles Darwin University), Dr Karen Barry (University of Tasmania), Deepika Mathur (Charles Darwin University), Roxanne Highfold (Researcher), Rayleen Brown (Kungka's Can Cook) and desertSMART EcoFair ambassador Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia).
783 ABC OUTSIDE BROADCAST
4-6pm Friday 10th August
Bean Tree Cafe, Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Tunck’s Rd
With special guests Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) and Amanda McKenzie, (CEO, The Climate Council).
Join us at the Bean Tree Cafe Courtyard for the live 783 ABC Outside Broadcast. Listen to interviews with EcoFair special guests and some great prizes are up for grabs in The Great Science Quiz. This is a free family event.
TRANSITIONS FILM FESTIVAL
6-10pm Friday 10th August
Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Tunck’s Rd
Join us at the Olive Pink Botanic Garden for a special event screening of two films from the Transitions Film Festival, Living in the Future’s Past and Operation Jeedara, as part of desertSMART EcoFair 2018.
Doors open at 6pm with films, food, drinks and warm fires under a star filled sky as we reflect on life on our planet and our efforts to protect nature.
Chairs provided but bring a swag if you wish to get comfy! Children entry by gold coin donation at the door.
Tickets $10 + BF. $15 on the door.
Purchase tickets at https://events.humanitix.com.au/transitions-film-festival-alice-springs
About the films:
Living in the Future’s Past
Academy Award Winner, Jeff Bridges presents this beautifully photographed tour de force of original thinking on who we are and the environmental challenges we face.
Jeff, alongside prominent scientists and authors, weaves evolution, emergence, entropy, dark ecology, and what some are calling ‘the end of nature’, into an engrossing story that helps us understand our place among the species of Earth’s household.
Classification: This film has been exempt from classification and is restricted to people over 15 years. People under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Operation Jeedara
Narrated by Bob Brown and featuring the CEO of Sea Shepherd, Operation Jeedara paints a portrait of a movement locked into one of the greatest environmental battles of all time – the fight to protect the Great Australian Bight from the devastating impacts of oil pollution.
In 2016, The Great Australian Bight Alliance announced the launch of ‘Operation Jeedara’ – a campaign that would see the ‘Steve Irwin’ sail into the heart of the Great Australian Bight to document the beauty of the region in order to showcase what we would all stand to lose if we let BP drill there.
This film is the story of the campaign.
Classification: This film has been exempt from classification and has no age restrictions
About Transitions Film Festival
The Transitions Film Festival is a visionary program dedicated to spotlighting the complex challenges, cutting-edge ideas, creative innovations and mega-trends that are redefining what it means to be human.
GARDEN TO PLATE
2-5pm Saturday 11th August
Alice Springs Community Garden
Frances Smith Memorial Park, Burke St Eastside.
With:
Exploring Bush Foods with Rayleen Brown (Kungka's Can Cook)
The Science of Gardening with Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia)
Growing Healthy & Disease Free Plants with Dr Karen Barry (University of Tasmania)
Refreshments available. Cost $20.
Followed by the August Garden Social 5-7pm (Free) - Pizza, warm fires, good conversations.
ECOFAIR STALLS AT THE TODD MALL MARKETS
9am-1pm Sunday 12th August
Todd Mall, Alice Springs CBD
Come and see the EcoFair Stalls Hub at the Todd Mall Markets on the Uniting Church Lawns.
With special guest Costa the Garden Gnome!
FUTURE ENERGY FORUM
10am-12pm Sunday 12th August
Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council
93 Todd St, Alice Springs CBD
Supported by Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy
Spark some ideas and charge up your inspiration with
- Cities Power Partnership, The Climate Council
- Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy
- RePower Alice Springs
Participate in an electrifying discussion on our energy future!
This event is free but places are limited so please RSVP at https://www.alec.org.au/future_energy_forum
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD
2pm Sunday 12th August
Alice Springs Cinema, 11 Todd St, Alice Springs CBD
Sponsored by Double Tree By Hilton Alice Springs
Feature Presentation by Amanda McKenzie (CEO, The Climate Council)
Expert Panel featuring
- Professor Jenny Davis (Charles Darwin University)
- Dr Karen Barry (University of Tasmania)
- Deepika Mathur (Charles Darwin University)
- Roxanne Highfold (Researcher)
Followed by Afternoon Tea.
This event is free but places are limited so please RSVP at https://www.alec.org.au/women_changing_the_world
For more information on EcoFair go to the desertSMART EcoFair website, keep updated via the EcoFair Facebook Page or on twitter @Eco_Fair