Deputy Note
October is shaping up to be a busy month at Canberra Environment Centre and the Recyclery.
I have also been working with Laurence and Penney on CEC’s annual report, which we are looking forward to releasing soon. It has been a valuable opportunity to reflect on the work of the past year and the contribution of the volunteers, members, supporters and partners who make so much of it possible. I am particularly grateful to our volunteers, who bring their time, skills and care to the Centre in so many different ways.
One of the highlights of September was the launch of our 2026 Queer Trails and Tales program. Our first walk, Bloom with Pride: Hidden Orchids of Black Mountain, was sold out, with Dr Ryan O’Donnell guiding participants through the remarkable diversity of Canberra’s orchid flora.
The next walk in the series, Glide with Pride: A Greater Glider Spotlight Walk, has been postposed to Saturday the 24th of October. Led by conservation researcher Tina Gopalan, participants will head into Tallaganda State Forest after dark to look for Greater Gliders and learn more about the habitat they depend on. Find out more about Queer Trails and Tales here.
This Saturday, 3 October, the Recyclery is also hosting a Gear Swap Meet alongside its Community BBQ. It is a lovely chance to buy, swap or sell bike gear, meet other people in the cycling community and spend some time at the Recyclery.
Later in the month, we are excited to be collaborating with the Canberra Writers Festival on two events. On Friday 17 October, Cutting Edge Cli-Fi will bring together writers and thinkers to explore climate fiction and the role storytelling can play in helping us imagine different futures. The following day, Saturday 18 October, Bird by Bird: The Art of Noticing will bring people together at the Australian National Botanic Gardens for a bird walk and author talk.
On Tuesday 20 October, we will join SEE Change, Conservation Council ACT Region and Landcare ACT for Impact Hour: Friends of the Dryandra Woodland at Dissent Cafe and Bar. The session will explore how this once-neglected urban woodland has been restored through the work of local volunteers, with speakers Professor Jamie Pittock, Con Boekel and Bruce Baker sharing their perspectives.
We will also be heading to WISE Urban Farm in Dickson on Saturday 24 October for a tour of its growing systems and approach to urban food production. It is always inspiring to see practical local examples of how food can be grown well in our city.
We will round out the month with a full day at the Centre on Saturday 31 October: a Clothes Swap, a Visible Mending for Clothes workshop with Canberra artist Michele Grimston, and a hands-on Sourdough Workshop. Whether you are keen to give your clothes a second life, learn a new repair skill or make your own loaf from scratch, there will be something to get involved in.
Our regular Thursday morning Community Garden sessions are continuing throughout the month as well. They are a relaxed and welcoming way to get your hands in the soil, learn from others and help grow food for the community.
You can find all upcoming events and workshops on our events page.
And if you see me around the Centre or at an event, please come and say hello.
Andy de Groot
Deputy Director
Canberra Environment Centre
deputy@canberraenvironment.org