Community Programs
Helping our community prepare for Climate Change is also important to Council. Council has actively supported a number of community groups and projects.
This has included:
- Warburton Community Mini Hydro Project - in-kind support.
- Yarra Valley ECOSS, Rooftop Solar Project - in-kind support.
- Yarra Glenergy Community Group – in-kind support and funding.
- Healesville Community Renewable Energy Group - in-kind support and funding.
- Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association – in-kind support and funding.
Council also provides support to other community groups through the community grants program.
Visit our Grants page
Council also runs the successful Ribbons of Green program, where we have helped private landholders plant almost 800,000 plants over a 12 year period. Schools are also supported through this program and to date 69 schools have participated in the program. Ribbons of Green link
Find out more about Ribbons of Green
Community Events
Council has started to host a series of climate related events with expert guest speakers to inform and inspire our communities.
In May 2019, Council hosted Farming Solutions for a Changing Climate at The Memo Healesville. At this event over 250 people from the area, many from the agribusinesses community, were informed and inspired by 4 topic leaders:
- Corey Watts –a local environmental consultant representing Farmers for Climate Action. Corey provided an overview of the current state of the environment
- Dr Cassandra Schefe – a climate specialist soil scientist supported by Monash University. Dr Schefe talked of soil chemistry and how improving carbon in soil can help adapt to warmer and drier climate.
- Jenny O’Sullivan – an experienced sheep and cattle farmer from South Gippsland also represented Sustainable Beef Australia. Jenny chatted about her experiences and promotion of sustainable farming.
- David Holmgren – the co-originator of permaculture and a leading environmental thinker. David spoke of creating local sustainable spaces and working together to create change.
In August 2019 the next climate event had a focus on what communities can do to achieve climate action and ensure resilience in the face of a changing climate. This event; Community Solutions in a Changing Climate was held at Burrinja Arts Centre in Upwey and featured a range of speakers with:
Dr Susie Burke – an environmental psychologist from Castlemaine, who discussed strategies to stay engaged and act on Climate Change.
Associate Professor Lauren Rickards – from Melbourne University. Lauren spoke about building community resilience.
A young local leader on climate action spoke to the room and offered a message of hope from the next generation.
We also had Uncle Dave Wandin provide insight into climate change from an Indigenous perspective, which was the highlight of the evening for many.
View the presentations and learn more about the event
As a result of this event we are now planning other forums to more deeply engage with our community.