desertSMART EcoFair

desertSMART EcoFair will be again shining a spotlight on science and sustainability in Central Australia 8th-11th August 2019 as part of National Science Week.

Organised by the Arid Lands Environment Centre, desertSMART EcoFair is in its 11th year and aims to educate, inspire and activate the community around science and sustainability. The event features high profile speakers, presentations, workshops, sustainable living markets and an ABC Alice Springs Outside Broadcast.

Special guests at EcoFair in 2019 include Craig Reucassel (ABC’s War on Waste), EcoFair Ambassador Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) and children’s sustainability entertainers Zucchini Clan.

2019 Program

EcoScience Schools Days

8.30am-1.30pm Thursday 8th, Friday 9th August

Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Local school groups participate in hands-on workshops on the issues of energy, water, land management, climate, health, science and technology. With workshops by the Arid Zone Research Institute, Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Engineers Without Borders, Land For Wildlife Central Australia, Alice Springs Town Council, Museum and Art Gallery NT, Ekistica, National Rural Health Students Network and local beekeepers.

ABC Alice Springs Outside Broadcast

Friday 9th August

4-6pm Bean Tree Cafe, Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Join us at the Bean Tree Café Courtyard for the ABC 783 Drive Outside Broadcast. With special guest speakers from EcoFair, live music and fantastic prizes up for grabs in the Great Science Quiz hosted by Costa Georgiadis. A family-friendly event.

Cost: Free

Apmereke Akaltye-irreme

(Learning from the land)

Friday 9th August

6-8pm Gallery, Olive Pink Botanic Garden

2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Apmereke Akaltye-irreme will feature local and regional projects that are connecting language and technology to ensure the continuation of Indigenous languages in the 21st century. The Arid Lands Environment Centre will also be launching the ‘Climate Change in Central Australia’ animation which has been translated into the Warlpiri and Arrernte languages. With live music by Stuart Nugget.
Food can be purchased from the Bean Tree Cafe.

Cost: Free

Our Bright Solar Future: Learning from our Leaders

Saturday 10th August

2.30pm-5pm Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre

The Northern Territory has a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Technical, regulatory and economic barriers in the Alice Springs power system need to be overcome. Join Minister for Renewables, Energy and Essential Services, Dale Wakefield, alongside industry leaders and the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy, for a robust panel discussion with audience participation. Hear about the solutions that can ensure a bright solar future for the Territory.

Afternoon Tea provided from 2.30pm.

Cost: Free

Craig Reucassel’s War on Waste

Saturday 10th August

7-12pm Montes Lounge

In 2019 desertSMART EcoFair keynote speaker is Craig Reucassel, the Australian writer and comedian who is best known for his work with The Chaser and for going through your bins on the ABC’s War on Waste https://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/craig-reucassel/

The War on Waste is a landmark series that sparked action across the country to cut Australia's staggering waste levels. Craig targets plastic water bottles, straws, e-waste, fast furniture, food waste and the recycling crisis.

With Costa’s Science Hotseat, and music by Madeline Hudson and Alex Pye.

Cost: $15 ALEC members, $20 non ALEC members

EcoHub at the Todd Mall Markets

Sunday 11th August

9am-1pm @ Todd Mall (Alice Springs CBD)

Think local. Act global. Learn more at the EcoFair Hub featuring sustainable living stalls on the Uniting Church Lawns as part of the Todd Mall Markets. Kids activities from 10am with special guests Zucchini Clan and Costa the Garden Gnome.

Cost: Free

Growing Healthy Communities

Sunday August 11th

1-7pm@ Alice Springs Community Garden

1-3pm Costa’s Healthy Gardens Workshop

Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia) is a vibrant change maker, a connector of people and the host of the ABC’s Gardening Australia program. His holistic approach is all about gardening the soil and the soul.

3-4pm Garden Tea Party with Zucchini Clan

Join the Garden Tea Party with free range music favourites Professor EcoCentric and Miss Lily Green of Zucchini Clan, hip & funky advocates for positive, sustainable communities. Entertainment for the whole family! Chai and cake will be available.

4-7pm Community Garden Social

Relax, celebrate and enjoy our beautiful community garden. Pizza for sale, warm fires, music and good conversations.

Cost: $15 ALEC members, $20 non ALEC members for Healthy Gardens Workshop 1-3pm, gold coin donation from 3pm.

For more information on EcoFair go to the desertSMART EcoFair website, keep updated via the EcoFair Facebook Pageor on twitter @Eco_Fair

See what happened at the 2018 EcoFair here

Volunteer for ALEC

Be involved in ALEC and contribute positively to life here in Alice Springs! The fact that ALEC has managed to not only survive, but thrive, over the years has largely been dependent on volunteer time and effort. The passion and committment of community members in Alice Springs has steered ALEC's initiatives and contributed to vital fundraising efforts. Can you spare some time to volunteer for ALEC? We are seeking volunteers who are able to help with offfice administrative support, our upcoming Ecofair, at the community garden, ALEC info stalls, fundraising events, fundraising camel burger stalls etc Sign up here.