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Issue 43,
August 2019
Green thymes banner
Green Thymes
Read about local events, projects, workshops, grants and articles that have a sustainability or environmental flavour. We hope you enjoy it!

If you have events, articles, projects that you would like to share with the local community, contact environment@marion.sa.gov.au
 
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Last Chance to Apply for Community Grants


Applications are still open for the City of Marion Community Grants Program. Council invites applications for environmental projects through the environmental focus area of the grant program. Grants of up to $5,000 are available and one grant for $10,000. 

The City of Marion Youth Development Grants program is also open. These grants are designed to support groups and organisations to deliver exciting and relevant activities whilst strengthening connections for young people 12-25 years in our community. Grants of up to $40,000 are available and environmental projects are welcome so long as they engage young people. 

Applications for both grant programs are open until 6 August 2019. 

or contact our Community Development Officer on 8375 6600.                                          
 
Get Composting this Spring
Find out how you can turn your food scraps into garden gold! There are a number of composting and worm farming workshops coming up. Learn various practical composting tips, how to start your compost and what to do if it's not working for you.
 
Did you know that worm juice and castings from a worm farm are packed with more nutrition for plants than any product you can buy from a garden centre? Or that compost is the richest and most important part of all soils? Not only does compost build the health and disease resistance of garden plants, but it keeps food scraps out of landfill which helps reduce harmful methane emissions. You don't need to purchase expensive organic additives or fertilisers to build up the garden soil.
 
Choose from the following events:
 
Saturday 24 August, 2-4pm at Glandore Community Garden Gala. To find out more and get tickets go to marioncommunityhubs.eventbrite.com.au 
 
Saturday 31 August, 10-11am at Trott Park Neighbouhood Centre. To book your spot, visit marioncommunityhubs.eventbrite.com.au
 
Monday 2 September, 7-8:30pm at Cooinda Neighbouhood Centre for the Common Thread Program. Free event. Get tickets here: marionenvironment.eventbrite.com.au
100 Ways with Nature
From yards and parks, to community gardens and the coast, there's so many places to connect with, learn about or observe nature in the City of Marion.  A brand new series of resources highlights opportunities to experience nature in the local area. Together, the flyers and map highlight 100 ways for adults and children to connect with nature. 

Get inspired to get into nature! Pick up copies at the Marion Council Administration Centre, our neighbourhood centres and libraries, or you can download digital copies at www.marion.sa.gov.au/valuingnature
 
Trees x 10 Project

Trees times Ten (Tx10) is a grass-roots, voluntary project initiated in the City of Marion, aiming to turn ordinary home tree-planting moments across Adelaide into little parties with a purpose. We live in the hottest, driest state capital in Australia - and it's currently also the most treeless.  
 
So each time we're planting a cooling shade tree (and its plant friends) at home, it's worth celebrating and sharing - so that our friends, family and neighbours are encouraged to do it too. 
 
Tx10 is developing a series of simple guides to help residents plan what to plant where, and how to include others. Information is on Facebook and the Tx10  webpage, with downloadable guides coming soon, and with other community planting events and tree news being shared each week. 

For more information contact Nadja at nadjasgarden@gmail.com
 
Glandore Garden Gala
Glandore Community Garden and CafĂ© 25 opens their gates in August for flurry of gardening and environmental activities. It will be great opportunity to meet the gardeners, volunteers and guest speakers, enjoy some wood fired pizza and take a tour of the community garden. 

You can also get ready for spring with timely workshops including:
  • Sophie Thomson's garden woes - dealing with pests and diseases in an organic and sustainable way.
  • Backyard chooks.
  • Worm farming and composting
  • Wrapping up the War on Waste.
  • Garden mosaics.
  • Wood fired pizza ovens.
When: 10am-4pm, Saturday 24 August
Where: Glandore Neighbourhood  Centre, 25 Naldera Street, Glandore
 
Local Tree Planting Events
National Tree Day was a huge success this year. City of Marion, in partnership with the Friends of Sturt River Landcare, organised a huge event at Oaklands Reserve on 28 July. The weather was fantastic and so was the turnout.  Over 440 volunteers helped to plant close to 12,000 seedlings! Thank you to everyone that volunteered their time. 

This year Seaview Downs Primary School took part in Schools National Tree Day on Friday 26 July. Over 150 students at the school got their hands dirty planting 700 seedlings at Morphett Road Reserve. While they were planting, they were lucky enough to spot some wonderful bird life including Tawny Frogmouths, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos and Kookaburras. The students are looking forward to coming back to the reserve to plant again next year, and seeing how much the seedlings have grown.
 
Community Gardens Coordinator Role
The City of Marion is now advertising for a part-time Community Gardens Coordinator for a 1 year contract.  If you are passionate about working with community, environmental sustainability and gardening, then this role might be for you! 

Visit the City of Marion careers webpage to find out more about the role and how to apply.  Applications close 13 August. 
 
New Trails at O'Halloran Hill Conservation Park


As part of the creation of the new Glenthorne National Park, ten new trails are now ready for walkers, runners and mountain bikers to explore at O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park.

The 13 kilometres of new trails wind around the park providing spectacular views over Gulf St Vincent and Adelaide city.

For more information visit the Department of Environment and Water website or access a map of the trails at the National Parks and Wildlife Service website
 
Garden Tool Library

Are there garden tools you want to use occasionally but don't want to buy? Check out the new Garden Tool Library initiative in Marion. It is open on Tuesdays and anyone can take part.

Junction Australia recently started the Garden Tool Library so that local residents can borrow tools for gardening and maintenance.  The Garden Tool Library is located next to the Community Garden at MarionLIFE , 887 Marion Road, Mitchell Park.
 
Garden tools are available to hire for a small fee. Please call 0410 432 425 for more information or drop in. Bookings are essential.  If you have tools or equipment to donate to the library, phone 8275 8700.
 
We hope you found this information useful. We value your feedback and encourage you to get in contact with us.

Feel free to forward this on to your networks or others who might be interested.

See you next month!
  

More workshops, events and courses!
 
Visit The Joinery website for a host of other exciting sustainability events. Based in Adelaide, The Joinery, is a hive of inspiring community activity.