Welcome to nearly Winter 2024!
Welcome to the midwinter issue of the Australian Association for Environmental Education ACT news!
What have you spotted in your garden or neighbourhood on the growing chilly days? We've many flocks of small birds flitting around the shrubs and trees: Fairy wrens, brilliant Diamond Firetails, Yellow rumped Thornbills and Silver eyes. The sounds of Black Cockatoos echo over the Molonglo Valley as they congregate on the Pine and Causarinas.
We begin each meeting sharing our nature observations to bring us into deper connection with awe and wonder for our place on Earth. Let's male time to nourish ourselves and enjoy the beauty of the cycles of nature.
Reflections on Autumn
Julie Armstrong, our President and 2023 ACT Environmental Educator had a very successful Learning Circle leading up to World Bee Day celebrations.
Thanks to all who joined our Autumn Mingle event at the University of Canberra. It was so good to meet up and share how we are each working for Sustainability and our environment and to learn more about the positive health and learning benefits of nature connection. Julie's talk and slideshow on Forest Therapy was interesting and informative, some great educational resources were also shared on the night.
Our Executive team have been engaged with several other events around Canberra. The 2024 Schools Climate Action Conference at UC was a highlight for Executive members Glenys Patulny and Viv Pearce who attended. On the day, High school and College students met face to face with local change makers , including politicians, academics, business people and community leaders: and discover how Canberra s taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of discussions and talk with experts present, students formulated real actions they could implement at their schools to reduce emissions.
Glenys was involved i in the Tuggeranong Community Council Youth Forum with students from 7 high schools and colleges focussing on how the Environment and Sustainability is being taught at this level;
And further afield, past Vice President Julia Langford launched the Inaugural Nature Journaling conference in Brisbane. Julia is a passionate leader in this filed, bringing together suc an inspiring gathering and her commitment to combining Science and Art through Nature Journaling. We're looking forward to hearing more.