ACTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The IOE Eco Action Group is a new program which gives participants opportunities to contribute to a safer, greener and more sustainable community while raising awareness of the environmental issues which are confronting all of us today.

IOE’s Beau Deurwaarder is passionate about the environment, sustainability, climate change and the future of our planet. He is also the driving force and organiser of the Eco Action program.

The Eco Action Group meets monthly. The inaugural activity, held last Sunday (8th Sept), was to the Belgrave Lake Platypus Festival, for an afternoon of tree planting and environmental education. Despite the inclement weather, the day was a great success. Local councillor, Mike Clarke was one of the many locals who attended the event and personally gave participants a hand with the tree planting (see photo).

Activities planned for the next few months are; a visit to the Environmental Film Festival and participation in youth based workshops and activities; trip to an organic store for lunch and to check out the reusable product options available followed by a visit to the Tecoma Twilight Ethical market; a day making beeswax wraps and other sustainable products which reduce waste and landfill.

Participation in the #Global Climate Strike on Friday 20 September is also an event on the calendar. We will be creating banners and placards then, all who want to attend, will travel to the city to join with the Hills Community For Climate Action group, as we Strike For The Climate with thousands of other young activists and concerned citizens. Families and friends are most welcome to join our group for this protest, just contact Beau to register your interest.

This is just the first stage of our environmental action project and it is anticipated that the Eco Action program will continue in 2020 and will hopefully link in with other IOE services.

For more information about the Eco Action Group or to express interest in joining us for the #Global Climate Strike, please contact Beau Deurwaarder at beau.deurwaarder@ioe.org.au