Climate Matters: 5 Lessons from the Drought

by | 29 Jun 2020 | SLAM

The Bird Bath — The hot dry weather over 2014 and now 2018 made the value of a birdbath very obvious. Species of birds that have not visited before became regular visitors during the drought. One morning an Olive Oriole and an Eastern Shriketit joined the 15 or so...

VIDEO & REPORT: June Forum — Wood Smoke

by | 9 Jun 2020 | Energy, Event, Monthly Forum

In 2018 the Armidale Regional Council Mayor formed the Wood Smoke Advisory Group (WSAG) as an independent body to determine what the situation with wood smoke in Armidale was, and to provide recommendations to move forward to address the long standing issue. The...

Renew Armidale — We want to know what you think

by | 1 Jun 2020 | Event

As you are probably aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted progress and badly affected our regional economy. However, the gradual lifting of restrictions allows us to plan a brighter future and we want your views on what that future should be like. We want to...

CLIMATE MATTERS: Fermentation

by | 1 Jun 2020 | Garden, Local Food

Humans have stored food for lean times probably for as long as we’ve been around. Some foods come to us in a readily storable form such as grains and pulses. Others can be air dried like meats, some fruits and vegetables. But there are many foods that can only be...

Step up to Plogging?? and Buy Recycled

by | 1 Jun 2020 | Waste

With large gatherings banned and social distancing laws in place, we’ve had to postpone our regular Clean Ups. Yet the amount of plastic waste is surging because of the coronavirus pandemic and it is feared the increase in single-use plastics will have long-term...

VIDEO: So you’re thinking of buying an electric car?

by | 1 Jun 2020 | Transport

Thank you for registering for our recent webinar “So you’re thinking of buying an electric car” with Bryce Gaton and David Cann. The video of the evening is now available on our Youtube channel. If you subscribe to the channel then it will notify you...

How to join today’s Interactive Livestream

by | 15 May 2020 | Climate

Our #BuildABetterFuture Interactive Livestream is today! Here’s a quick post with all you need to know about how to join. WHAT: Our first ever Interactive Livestream, gathering thousands of people together from across Australia and the world to inspire hope, action...

Virtual Nonviolence Film Fest — The Bentley Effect

by | 15 May 2020 | Event

The Nonviolence Film Festival is an event that highlights global challenges and actions taken in Australia and around the world to establish and maintain peace. With social distancing measures in place, UNE Peace Studies is encouraging people to participate in the...

VIDEO: Thinking of keeping bees?

by | 15 May 2020 | Event, Local Food

Calla Teseling {mobile prefix oh for}00030986 is a bee expert. I caught up with him at the Community Garden during 2020 Home Grown Garden Tour in February asked what are the considerations for people thinking about setting up a bee hive. Here’s what he had to...

Let’s come together on May 15 #buildabetterfuture

by | 4 May 2020 | Climate, Event

A few months ago, no one could have imagined that schools all over the country would be empty because of a virus. A few weeks ago it looked like everyone would be home from school for the next few months. And now after students have spent weeks trying to learn at...

PUBLIC FEEDBACK: Let’s end single use plastics in NSW

by | 4 May 2020 | Event, Waste

Plastic waste is polluting our waterways and oceans at an alarming rate, creating a looming health and environmental crisis. NSW generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, equivalent to the weight of 45,000 school buses. At this rate, plastics will soon...

CLIMATE MATTERS: Save Armidale’s Koalas

by | 4 May 2020 | Climate, Habitat

With a decrease of 90% in the koala population west of the divide, caring for koalas in the high country has become critical. On current trends, if no action is taken, the entire koala population of NSW may be extinct by 2050. Koalas are now listed as a vulnerable...

A dilemma during a forest conflict in North-West Tasmania

by | 4 May 2020 | Habitat

It was the moment we had been dreading – a letter in the mail-box from Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) to say that they were intending to log the ‘coupe’ (aka native regrowth forest) next to the Live Well Tasmania property we are planning to use to develop models...

Mall to open to traffic?

by | 18 Apr 2020 | Event, SLAM | 1 comment

Locals who turned out in their hundreds in November 2017 to protest at the proposal to open the Central Mall to traffic, will be interested to see on page 216 of next week’s Council agenda, a proposal from Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee, which was carried...

Narrabri Gas Webinar (RSVP now to avoid missing out)

by | 2 Apr 2020 | AACSGaM, Event

North West NSW farmers need your help! The most protested project in the history of NSW’s planning system – the Narrabri CSG project – is about to be referred to the Independent Planning Commission for a decision. We might be in the middle of a pandemic,...

Together While Apart: Webinar Video, Q&A And Resources

by | 2 Apr 2020 | SLAM

How on sweet Earth do we practice and cultivate ecological ethics, connected diversity, community building and social cohesion, when we can’t come together face to face? It was incredible to have 100 people cram into a virtual room together to discuss this – and...

Do Re Mi — Covid 19 version

by | 2 Apr 2020 | SLAM

The Sound of a Pandemic! Don’t worry, Maria and the Von Trapplings know how to deal with it! A couple of quick points: The song is not intended to be taken seriously – I made it to humour myself and am quite blown away at the following it’s got over...

Local ideas competition with cash prizes is open for entries

by | 2 Apr 2020 | Event

Sustainable Living Armidale (SLA) are ready for entries from young people with innovative ideas for promoting awareness about climate change. The SLA Youth Action Awards are an opportunity for young people who are making positive change in our community, or have ideas...