This National Conference for Environmental Educators will be held from Sunday 2 to Wednesday 5 November 2014 to showcase Australia’s environmental education strategies leading into the 21st Century.
The conference ‘feast of events’ will begin with a starter, the AAEE Research Symposium, It’s about Dialogue and It’s About Time, to be held at the brand new Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) on Hobart’s waterfront on Saturday 1 November. This inaugural AAEE Research Symposium provides the space for robust dialogue, capacity building, and networking on research in environmental and sustainability education, and in related fields.
And then on to main course! The line-up includes the legendary David Orr, on his first ever visit to Australia, the voice of youth – Kirsty Albion of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, local Paul Gilding, author of the Great Disruption, Prof Tow Chong from Singapore, linking environmental education to digital technology and ABC Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis with his all consuming passion for sustainable growing. And then we have over 100 presentations- the juicy bit of the conference!
AAEE Tasmanian Conference Committee is excited to present the best of what our beautiful island has to offer. The Conference dinner, included in the registration, will feature fresh Tasmanian produce, with tell-all local chef Asher Gilding. Local farmers are growing our dinner now! Only local and ethically sourced food and wine will be provided. Sustainable practice means there will be vegetarian-only catering at day venues, composting of food preparation scraps and any leftover prepared food will be given to SecondBite. SecondBite (www.secondbite.org) is a not-for-profit organisation, rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing to needy Tasmanians.
And you just can’t skip dessert! The fabulous field trips to key environmental education sites on Wednesday 5 November 2014 will include a trip to the Styx Valley to see Tasmania’s big giants, the Antarctic Division and MONA’s environmental education initiatives including the Heavy Metal project.
Our choices are aimed at low carbon emissions. We have recommended accommodation in the CBD, in walking distance to the Conference venue and have provided an option of home stays. Swimming or paddling across Bass Strait is not practical, but we have embedded carbon offsets into the registration. Bring portable electronic devices to avoid printing programs, bring personal stationery, your own conference bag and a re-usable drink bottle. Every responsible choice makes a difference!
Our last Tasmanian conference was 17 years ago. If you were there, come on down and see how things have changed. If you haven’t been to Tasmania before come and get an insider’s experience of inspiring environmental education in our boutique city. We look forward to sharing our local knowledge as we all connect, inspire and share our smart strategies for the 21st Century.
