7 ways to get happy, sustainably

by editor | 11 Feb 2015 | Starfish

It is true that all of us need a basic level of material security. But after that, more stuff does not bring more happiness. The research shows that sustainable happiness comes from other sources, like having meaningful work to do (paid or unpaid) and having authentic...

Inaugural Judith Wright Lecture

by editor | 9 Feb 2015 | Event

One of Australia’s great environmental guardians is being celebrated in the Inaugural Judith Wright Lecture at 5.45pm, Thursday February 12 (Refreshments from 5pm) in the Arts Lecture Theatre A1 the Arts Building, UNE. The lecture will be given by Dr Fiona...

February Forum: Challenge to Change, Feb 5th, 7pm Kent House

by editor | 5 Feb 2015 | Event, Monthly Forum

Come along to the first Forum for 2015 and hear how four women have made real changes in their lives, all in very different ways, in an effort to be more sustainable. How would you go not buying new stuff, or maybe just not buying plastic? What about radically...

AURG is holding a Working Bee on Sunday 8th February

by editor | 5 Feb 2015 | AURG, Event

The AURG is holding a Working Bee on Sunday 8th February 2015. This will be a continuation of the three focus plantings on the southern side of Dumaresq Creek between Niagara and Donnelly streets. Bruce Whan has advised conditions will be ideal for planting out the...

Planning the SLA Autumn Festival float

by editor | 5 Feb 2015 | Autumn Festival, Event, SLAM

The Autumn Festival Parade will be on Saturday March 14th. For the eighth year running, SLA will again have (we hope) a fantastic ‘walking’ float in the Parade, with your help. Creative input is needed now. There are over 600 SLA supporters out there...

Come to Bat Attack and save the Leard State Forest 13 – 18th Feb

by editor | 5 Feb 2015 | AACSGaM, Event, SLAM

The fight for the Leard State Forest is NOT over. After our success in halting winter clearing and staving off the spring slaughter – FLAC’s summer offensive plan has been launched. This is such an IMPORTANT part of the campaign – and we invite YOU –...

Top 10 sustainability campaigns of 2014

by editor | 3 Feb 2015 | Starfish

These are the 10 campaigns that have took 2014 by storm, according to the Guardian. This Greenpeace campaign targeting the iconic Lego brand, with the Everything is NOT Awesome video, was the most viewed in Greenpeace’s history. The online campaign was supported by a...

Position Available at Starfish – Global Project Lead: Sustainable Land Management

by editor | 3 Feb 2015 | Event, Starfish

A unique opportunity to lead a Global Project and lend your expertise and passion in Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Global Project Lead Vital SLM initiative – Biochar Passion to make a difference Position Summary Starfish is excited to be working on our largest...

‘Sustainability’ is older than you think

by editor | 3 Feb 2015 | Starfish

Jeremy L. Caradonna’s new book, “Sustainability: A History,” finds that the notion of sustainability arose from early inklings in Western thought of the risks of over-exploiting the natural world. Caradonna, an associate professor of History at the University of...

Save the date: ZNET Reference Panel meeting and workshop, Saturday 31 January, Uralla Community Centre

by editor | 20 Jan 2015 | Event | 2 comments

Uralla was selected last year as the town to be looked at for feasibility of becoming a Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET). Uralla Reference Group (ZURG) will support the development of the Uralla Z-NET Blueprint and Business Case. Tasks will include assisting with local...

February 13 and 14 is Global Divestment Day: Break up with fossil fuels

by editor | 20 Jan 2015 | Climate, Event

On February 13-14, Australia will join the world to break up with fossil fuels and call on others to do the same as part of the first ever Global Divestment Day. Divestment is weakening the political power of the fossil fuel industry so that we can break the climate...

Lismore Community Solarfarm

by editor | 14 Jan 2015 | Starfish

Lismore City Council has voted in favour of proceeding with the final stage of work on what could become Australia’s very first council-community solarfarm. The project ~ currently known as Lismore Community Solar ~ will comprise two 100kW solarfarms, situated at each...

5 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans ~ which ones are (y)ours?

by editor | 14 Jan 2015 | Starfish

More than five trillion pieces of plastic, collectively weighing nearly 269,000 tonnes, are floating in the world’s oceans, causing damage throughout the food chain. Data collected by scientists from the US, France, Chile, Australia and New Zealand suggests a minimum...

Achieving a completely zero waste life is possible!

by editor | 14 Jan 2015 | Starfish | 1 comment

Lauren Singer, a college student from New York, lives a completely no waste life. Although she was studying Environmental studies, protesting, and was president of an environmental club, this did not necessarily mean that she was doing her share for the earth. She was...

Biodynamic Afternoon in Armidale Saturday & Sunday 6th&7th December, 2014

by editor | 5 Dec 2014 | Event

We will be holding field demonstrations/chances to experience stirring and applying BD 500 preparation, which builds soil structure and humus whilst attracting soil life, earthworms bacteria and funghi & increases the water holding capacity of the soil. We will be...

SLA 2014 home videos

by editor | 5 Dec 2014 | SLAM

A reflection on the year that was.

Black Gully Music Festival

by editor | 5 Dec 2014 | Black Gully, Event

December Forum: Park Party + Solar Cinema

by editor | 3 Dec 2014 | Event, Monthly Forum

Thanks members and volunteers for a great year of events and forums continuing our vision for Armidale to be a more resilient and sustainable town. Let’s celebrate the wonderful work we have done this year with a parky party, and everyone is welcome to come...

Energy Efficiency Expo – Thursday 4 December – Armidale Ex Services Club

by editor | 3 Dec 2014 | Energy, Event, SLAM

The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use Got 30 seconds? Register now for free Learn how to unlock the savings potential in your power bill. Learn about organisations that can assist. Hear what other community organisations have done. All community...

Fire On Earth: Evolution, Ecology and Implication for Agriculture and the Environment

by editor | 3 Dec 2014 | Event | 2 comments

When: Friday 5 December, 1 pm Where: McClymont Lecture Theatre 2 (upstairs) Wildfire and its effect on the ecology and evolution of plants has been neglected as a global factor in the way humans manage ecosystems – including agricultural landscapes. Combined...

AURG Watering Bee and end-of-year BBQ

by editor | 3 Dec 2014 | AURG, Event

The end-of-year AURG barbecue is being held on Sunday, 7th December, 2014 at 13 Holmes Avenue. We will commence setting up at 4pm, to be ready for festivities from 5pm. To help us prepare, we ask that you let us know by Monday, 1st December 2014 whether you are...

Horticulture, health and heavenly food

by editor | 2 Dec 2014 | Starfish

There are 27,600 edible plants on Earth, mostly vegetables, and most of them are unknown to the majority of people. We have not yet begun to explore the horticultural, health and culinary potential of our home planet ~ and now is the perfect time to do so. Eating is...

Uralla announced as model for Zero Net Energy Town

by editor | 27 Nov 2014 | Energy, Starfish

Uralla Shire Council Mayor, Mr Michael Pearce, today announced Uralla as the model town for the Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET) project. “Uralla is delighted to be chosen as Australia’s first ZNET town. Council, business, the community and residents want to know how...

Could heritage breeds have a vital role for our food security?

by editor | 27 Nov 2014 | Starfish

In small pockets across Australia you’ll find the breeds we left behind: sheep from the First Fleet, chooks whose genetic lines date back hundreds of years and big fat pigs that grow too slowly. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has embarked...

Spend time, not money

by editor | 27 Nov 2014 | SLAM | 1 comment

What do the holidays mean to you? If you take a second to close your eyes and picture the holiday season you will likely be thinking of hearty dinners, holiday parties, and spending time with your family to focus on the blessings you enjoy. Our most cherished holiday...