January 2022, Edition 69
All your monthly sustainability & environmental news and updates

Welcome to Green Thymes!

Here you will find all the latest information about local events, workshops, grants, articles and project updates all in the one place.

If you have any feedback or comments, you can contact us at environment@marion.sa.gov.au
Want to grow your own food?

Not sure where to start?

Get all the tips and tricks from experts like Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis and Chef Paul West.

Grow It Local is your local grow community. A celebration of backyard, balcony, community and window-sill farmers across the country.

Sign up for free and get access to:
  • Videos on growing from seed, permaculture, learn to pickle, edible natives and more!
  • Live online workshops
  • Online marketplace supporting local growers and producers
  • And more!

Sign up through Grow It Local and be the first to know about Grow It Local events in the City of Marion.

This national program is supported by City of Marion and Green Adelaide.
Caddies are cleaning up!

Just three months in from City of Marion’s city-wide kitchen caddy roll-out, the initial results are in.

We are now seeing at least 52% households putting food scraps in their green bin, compared with just 18% before the project began. There is a decline in food waste being disposed to red lid bins for landfill, so already we are making great change for our environment and economy. It takes time to change habits, so we expect these great results to keep improving this year and that we will reach our target of 75% of households putting food scraps in the green bin instead of the red bin.

Thank you to all households who’ve joined the majority and embraced your kitchen caddy!
 
Want to know ‘how to prevent the food waste attracting flies in the green bin or making the bin smell?’

Find the answer to this and other frequently asked questions on our website.

Don’t have a caddy and live in City of Marion? Get your free caddy and roll of bags from any library branch, the Administration Centre or City Services.
Designing urban spaces for wildlife

City of Marion has received a grant from Green Adelaide to develop a “Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design” plan for the section of the Sturt River between South Road and the Glenelg Tramline.

This plan will take a big picture look at the biodiversity of the Sturt River and its surrounding environment and identify key opportunities to experience, protect and enhance wildlife for the future.

We are interested in your experiences to help gather information on current species in the area and to shape directions for the draft Sturt River Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Plan.

Take the survey and play a role in protecting our wildlife for the future.

Have your say on single-use plastics in SA

Since we've already seen a state-wide ban on plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers. Oxo-degradable bags and polystyrene is to follow by 1 March 2022 with the State Government releasing it's discussion paper proposing more single-use plastic items to be banned, furthermore, inviting your thoughts and comments about the single-use plastic items you think should be phased out.

You can take their short survey and/or add comments to the online forum via this link until 5pm, Saturday 19 February 2022: 
Caption: A Blue Skimmer dragonfly at Oaklands Wetland, taken by Neil Edwards and posted on the SA Natureteers Facebook group
Here be dragons

If you’ve taken a walk through Oaklands Wetland recently you may have noticed agile fliers darting around. These Blue Skimmers (Orthetrum caledonicum) are one of the most widely distributed dragonflies in Australia, and are clearly thriving at Oaklands.

One reason for this may be the large number of pollinator-attracting plants that have been planted and cared for by the Friends of Sturt River Landcare Group. While dragonflies are not interested in pollen, they are voracious predators of insects that are. This picture shows a Blue Skimmer dragonfly that has caught a flying insect in its jaws, about to touch down and enjoy its meal.

Our dedicated Friends groups who help manage some of our best local environments are always looking for new members to help restore and enhance these special places. Please visit the City of Marion Local Conservation Groups webpage for more details.
Caption: Typical heat gain in summer of an uninsulated home by SA Government
Keeping your home cool this summer

Cooling and heating account for about 40% of energy used in typical Australian home.

There are many ways to keep cool in summer that can reduce your need for cooling appliance and lower your energy costs.

Here are a few tips for running your window or spilt refrigerative system
  • Set the thermostat for 24 - 27degrees celsius to reduce running costs
  • Direct louvres at the ceiling as cold air falls
  • The outdoor compressor should be in a ventilated and preferably shaded area
  • Works best in a well-insulated and draught-proofed home
  • Systems more than 10 years old typically use more energy and cost more to run

Get more handy tips and information in the Summer Cooling Guide.
New shellfish reef

Did you know O’Sullivan Beach will get a shellfish reef?

Learn what makes this type of reef special.

What does it means for the future of our marine environment?

South Australia is leading the world understanding our unique temperate water habitats, and you will learn about the special marine organisms involved and about the globally accepted science behind these innovations.

Saturday 5 February, 10am @ Trott Park Neighbourhood Centre
Make your own accordion style nature journal booklet

We will venture into the garden and start sketching in your journal.

A great way to record what you see in your own backyard or park.

This may inspire the scientist in you. Art can be messy, bring a smock or wear old clothes.

Suitable for ages 7+

Monday 24 January, 10am @ Glandore Neighbourhood Centre
Irrigation 101

Gardens are often the biggest use of household water.

As our climate gets hotter and drier we need to get smart about watering so we can still have a luscious, productive patch while maximising this precious resource.

Join the Patch of Plenty team at this workshop, where we'll go through the basics of setting up simple irrigation systems, get stuck into rainwater harvesting, and offer tips to optimise your water use in the garden. 

Saturday 29 January, 10am @ Cumberland Park Community Centre

This event is brought to you by the City of Mitcham. It is also supported by Resilient South (Cities of Mitcham, Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay and Marion) and Green Adelaide.
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