The desertSMART EcoFair (www.ecofair.org.au) is Central Australia’s premier science and sustainability event. In 2016 it is in it’s eighth year and is organised by the Arid Lands Environment Centre (www.alec.org.au) as part of National Science Week.
desertSMART 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. With more than 2000 people attending last years’ event, 2016 will see the EcoFair continue to grow as an important local sustainability feature.
In 2016 desertSMART EcoFair will feature:
Friday 12th August:
Eco-Science Schools Day @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
783 ABC Outside Broadcast @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Alice Springs Bicycle Film Festival @ Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Saturday 13th August:
Understanding Our Waste Tours @ the Regional Waste Management Facility
Nourishing Gardens with Costa @ Alice Springs Community Garden
Science Under the Stars @ Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre
Sunday 14th August:
EcoFair Sustainable Living Festival & Eco-markets @ Alice Springs Desert Park Courtyard
The guest presenters for this years EcoFair are:
Professor Lesley Hughes, Climate Council Councilor
Lesley Hughes is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity & Development) at Macquarie University. Her research has mainly focused on the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems.
She is a former federal Climate Commissioner and former Lead Author in the IPCC’s 4th and 5th Assessment Report. She is also a Director for WWF Australia, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, the Director of the Biodiversity Node for the NSW Adaptation Hub and a member of the expert advisory committee for Future Earth Australia.
Claire O’Rourke, National Director Solar Citizens
Claire’s interest in solar began in 2008 when she installed a solar hot water system as part of a renovation designed to reduce her home’s energy footprint. Claire brings 15 years experience in journalism, communications and campaigning to Solar Citizens. Claire has a broad history of organising and campaigning in the labor movement and organisations of social value, including overseeing communications for the successful Every Australian Counts campaign for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Costa Georgiadis, Gardening Australia
Costa Georgiadis sees the world through different eyes. He lives for connections, creativity and community. From the way we at look and deal with our waste, to the food we produce and share around our tables, it’s what drives our connection to the planet that fuels, feeds and nurtures us. He sees life and hope in the streets, roads and open spaces of our cities and towns, as the living and breathing arteries of community that need to be utilised and celebrated as places to build biodiversity and food security back into our local landscapes.
Individual health starts in a garden or verge near you. In these times of great change and uncertainty, Costa sees creative opportunity at every corner. We are what we eat and where we live, so lets create a fertile future through our daily actions, no matter how small they may appear to be because as individuals are choices matter.
