Australian National Botanic Gardens Canberra

 Caring for Land workshop and talks program

6 June – 28 October 2007

Program of workshops and lunchtime talks

A program of lunchtime talks and workshops has been compiled to appeal to people of all ages living in Canberra and the surrounding region, as well as to visitors to Canberra. The workshops range from a school holiday program of art and drama classes for children from 8 – 14 years, to workshops for people 14 years and older exploring our connection with the living earth, workshops on climate change issues for the workplace and community, workshops for local farmers on sustainable farming practices, and lunchtime talks on biodiversity and creating an environmentally friendly economy.

Bookings are essential . Phone the Gardens’ Visitor Centre: 02 6250 9540.

The schedule of workshops and lunchtime talks is as follows [click on the workshop or talk title to obtain further information]

June 2007

Wednesday 27th June: Lunchtime talk 12-30 – 1.30pm

• ‘Biodiversity in your Backyard or Farm’ lunchtime talk with Geoff Robertson, Executive Member, Friends of Grasslands; Don Bell, Ngunawal elder, and Owen Whitaker, Director, NaturalCapital Pty Ltd. Group of up to 85. Gold coin donation for Scottsdale Bush Heritage property, north of Bredbo. Venue: Lecture Theatre.

Week of 9th July (School holiday programme) 10 – 12 am each day

• Monday 9th – Tuesday 10th July:
  'Shadow Creatures' with Antonia Aitken, local printmaker and community arts facilitator, and John Pratt, lecturer, School of Art, ANU. This fun two day workshop will involve the drawing, painting and construction of a series of shadow puppets which will be used in a shadow play, devised on day two. The play will explore stories and themes related to the insect, reptile and bird life found in the Botanic Gardens. Age - 8-12. Venue: Banks Building.
  
• Thursday 12 th July:
  ‘Brush Tales’ drawing and painting workshop for children 8-12 years by Antonia Aitken, local printmaker and community arts facilitator and John Pratt, lecturer, School of Art, ANU. Duration: 2 hours. Cost $15 per child. Group of 12. Venue: Banks Building.
  
• Friday 13 th July
  ‘Imprints’ Printmaking workshop for children 10-14 by John Pratt, lecturer, School of Art, ANU and Antonia Aitken, local printmaker and community arts facilitator. This workshop includes monotype and relief techniques. Duration: 2 hours. Cost $15 per child. Group of 12. Venue: Banks Building.
  
• Saturday 28th - Sunday 29th July: 9am – 4.30pm
  'Earthworks' workshop for people of all ages by Claire Dunn and Emma Pittaway of EarthWorks: Reconnecting to Earth and Inspiring Change. This workshop deepens our connection to land, explores our inner responses to the current world situation, and offers an experience in social and environmental interconnectedness. Two day weekend workshop. Sliding scale donation. Group of 12 – 25.

August 2007

• Saturday 11 th August : 1 – 4pm
  ‘Keyline, Soil Health, Carbon, Water and the Family Farm’ workshop by John Sweet, environmentalist and keyline system trainer, Mackay. John will talk about the keyline system and it potential to improve the health and water holding capacity of soil, increase biodiversity, lower input costs, lift productivity and contribute to slowing global warming by increasing carbon levels in the soil. Cost $50 per person. Venue: Crosbie Morrison Building.

• Wednesday 22nd August: lunchtime talk 12-30 – 1.30pm,
  ‘Creating an Environmentally Friendly Economy’
  Speakers: Lindy Edwards, Research School of Social Sciences, ANU, and Geoff Robertson, Executive member of the Conservation Council for the South East Region and the ACT. Lindy will speak about the economy as a culturally created system and how we can change it. Geoff will speak about ways to bring the economic, social and environmental realms together. Gold coin donation for Conservation Council of the South East’s climate change program. Group of up to 85. Venue: Botanic Gardens Lecture Theatre.

September 2007

• Saturday 1st September: 10 am – 4pm
  ‘Becoming Natural ’ art and philosophy workshop for adults with Micky Allan, artist and lecturer, School of Art, ANU, and Steenus von Steensen. The workshop invites people to explore what their relationship is to land. Basic art materials provided. Bring your own lunch. Cost: $65 per person. Group of 12 – 35. Venue: Crosbie Morrison Building.
  
• Saturday 29th September: 11am – 4.30pm
  ‘Coming to Grips with Climate Change ’ a workshop for community members by environment facilitators, Marie Jamieson and Meg Switzer. An experiential workshop for expressing and processing responses to the reality of climate change and to explore what actions can be taken in our homes and community. Cost $55 per person. Group of 14 – 26 people. Crosbie Morrison Building.

October 2007

• Wednesday 3rd October: 9am – 1.00 pm (optional lunch 1-2pm)
  ‘Climate Change and the Workplace ’ workshop for professional people by environment facilitators, Marie Jamieson and Meg Switzer. Participants will be invited to express and process responses to climate change and to explore actions and strategies suitable for the workplace. Cost $105 per person. Group of 14 – 26 people. Venue: Crosbie Morrison Building.
  
• Saturday 13 th – Sunday 14 th October: 9am – 4.30pm
  ‘Earthworks ’ workshop for 14-21 year olds by Claire Dunn and Emma Pittaway of EarthWorks: Reconnecting to Earth and Inspiring Change. Two day weekend workshop enabling participants to experience social and environmental interconnectedness. Sliding scale donation. Group of 12 – 25. Venue: Crosbie Morrison Building.
  
• Wednesday 24th October: 12 – 2pm, drinks and nibbles afterwards
  ‘So you want to do something about climate change?...’
  panel and open discussion
  Speakers: Barbara Chevalier, Lecturer, Community Studies and Australian Institute of Sustainable Communities, University of Canberra and Community Development Network ACT and Region; Don Bell, Ngunawal Elder; Marie Jamieson, Principal, Living Futures; Bren Weatherstone, Environmental Educator; Cameron Neil, Facilitator, ACT ACT Otherwise and Fairtrade Activist; and Peter Miller, Home Energy Advice Team. Gold coin donation for Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park, Canberra. Venue: Crosbie Morrison Building.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens and Common Ground Exhibitions and Research hope you will enjoy this program. We look forward to seeing you here with us.

Christine Watson
Common Ground Exhibitions and Research
May 2007