Director’s Note — April

Impact Hour launches soon. Hoorah!

April brings a welcome* shift in season and pace, and at Canberra Environment Centre we’re leaning into this with a strong mix of practical action, learning, and community connection.

Down at our Recyclery bike shed in Harrison, for instance, activity continues to build. We listened to your feedback from our last community survey and have expanded our opening hours. Here’s a quick wrap on the changes:

* Our bike sales will run every Saturday (except public holidays).

* You can now also find us open on Friday afternoons (rather than Tuesdays), with bike guru Murray in charge, making it easier to drop by as you head into your weekend.

* And if you’ve got a bike that needs a bit of love, our Thursday night repair drop-in sessions remain in full swing, run by community bike mechanic Varvara.

…. So far, so good. We’re seeing more people visit the shed, choosing affordable, low-impact transport—which is especially fabulous given the crazy fuel prices we’re experiencing.

Our community garden sessions on Thursday morning from 9:30am are also a highlight at this time of year. They’re a place to meet people, get your hands in the soil, and build practical skills—whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out.

Alongside this, our April workshop program includes sessions designed to support more sustainable living. Join us for two free workshops: ‘Bokashi Brilliance’ (composting) on the evening of April 22, and Retrofit for Renters (on how to better warm your house or apartment) on April 29.

We’re also looking forward to being out and about in the community. On 18 April, the CEC team will be at the Celebrate Gungahlin Festival—say hello, learn more about what we do, and connect with others passionate about local environmental action.

And as if that wasn’t enough action for April, we’re launching a new ‘environment + climate talks’ series with our good friends at SEE Change and The Conservation Council of the ACT. Impact Hour takes place from 6-7pm on the third Tuesday of the month at Dissent Bar in the city. It’s designed to bring people together around ideas, stories, and strategies for change—creating space for thoughtful conversation and inspiration. Canberra is teeming with leaders and thinkers from this space, so come along, support this initiative, and take advantage of our city’s big brains! We’ll start the series with Dr Amy Carrad, who’ll discuss how people + smart policy and governance can create positive change, on April 21. Secure your tickets here, and please come and find me to say hi to me if you’re there on the night.

Small Jen on her walk to Hawker Primary School

On (another) personal note, yesterday I had the pleasure of running a “Planet Protectors” interactive learning session with fifty Year 5 students at Hawker Primary School, my old stomping  ground (see blurry photo to the right).

This presentation was a first for me. I’ve taught uni students before, but not primary school-aged kids, so I’ll admit to having been very nervous. Would they yawn the whole way through? Get bored? Find it all too depressing?

Thankfully, no. Phew…

We talked big issues together for well over an hour (are humans good, bad or both? Do you need to be an adult to protect the planet?); solved a few wicked environmental problems… at least in theory; and the students’ curiosity, energy and thoughtful questions served as a big reminder of how important it is to support the next generation to understand and care for Canberra and our world.

Considering I had a rather good time in the end, if you’d like me to come and talk planet protecting to Year 5 or 6 kids at your school, drop me an email and I’ll see what I can wrangle.

Happy Easter! Enjoy your eggs and the long weekend.

Until next month,

Jennifer
- Director, CEC, director@canberraenvironment.org

*Arghh! But it means my birthday is coming up, which is a bit less exciting. Do you love yours, or find it hard to see the years passing so quickly?