*Virtually* Snuggle up to the furry friends of Casey this June.
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FOR EVERY SHADE OF GREEN
Loads to celebrate this World Environment Day in Casey
Land restoration is this year's global theme and there's plenty you can do to make a difference right here at home.
Have your say on the Casey Coastal Framework., which includes the extraordinary wetlands around Tooradin - photographed (above) during the Aurora Australis by Green Living's Sarah Brigham.
Melbourne Water also has funding opportunities for various waterway projects within the city.
Look into our Biodiversity Incentive Scheme Grants for local conservation funding.
Celebrate our growing population of Southern Brown Bandicoots (seen here in a cat trap before being released). In case you missed it, watch the Webinar: Balancing Wildlife and Pests in your Garden - YouTube for how to make them feel at home.
And Pookila power rules! In a major victory for the Pookila conservation program during May, 28 Pookila (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) were reintroduced to the City of Casey.
Read on for the most efficient heaters on the market, gardening tips, recipes, solar advice, what to do with used vapes, another truck fire and more funding opportunities. Join the Green Living in Casey Facebook group for even more tips, activities and ideas.
Casey Business Awards - Environmental Sustainability Applications close Sunday 30 June
Save the date - National Tree Day Sunday 28 July
Save the date - Follow your Waste Tour Thursday 22 August
Finally, see the latest version of our Green Living Event flyer here to stay up to date with our weekly additions.
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Green Living in Casey Champion Cat Clowes It's not too often you get to work with someone who literally wrote the book on native flora for kids. Now it's two books! Casey's Principal Natural Resource Management Officer, botanist and author Cat Clowes wrote 'Plantastic!' and ‘Plantabulous’ for budding botanists, whilst still working on her PhD. She brings this passion and expertise to Casey, ensuring native vegetation and habitat for threatened communities and species are considered in city planning. Cat is particularly passionate about Casey’s Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands, and all the amazing plants that are found in these places, like Swamp Wallaby-grass. She also spends quite a bit of time focused on habitat for Southern Brown Bandicoot, Growling Grass Frog and Dwarf Galaxias. If you want to get involved yourself, you can join one of these campaigns below. You might even meet her out and about! |
Did you know? Many Australian wetland plants - like some of our locals - are used to clean up contaminated waterways – an example of ‘phytoremediationl? |
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Casey Unearthed - Casuarina Forest Bushland Reserve Casuarina Forest Bushland Reserve is a 1.1 hectare remnant bushland reserve on William Hovell Drive, Endeavour Hills. It's a little gem hidden in suburbia. It plays a key role in urban biodiversity by providing food and shelter for wildlife, while linking to other green spaces. Photo of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Zanda funerea courtesy of Birdlife Australia. |
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💚 Over 1000 Vapes Recycled in City of Casey 💚 Since opening Victoria’s first free vape disposal points last November, we've collected 63 kilograms of vapes - more than 1000 units! Thanks everyone! We are very proud of the impact we have made with this initiative. |
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This exciting initiative was put together because:
👉 Unsafe disposal of vapes in kerbside bins can and have led to fires in trucks
👉 High amounts of littered vapes in our community
👉 No options to dispose of single-use vapes available for public use anywhere in Victoria
We have also provided information and guidance around vape recycling to 26 Victorian councils and Monash Health, leading to other councils holding events collecting vapes and opening of another disposal point in St Kilda Town Hall with more to come.
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Truck fire caused by bin contents A nasty reminder to BIN IT RIGHT. We recently experienced another fire in one of our recycling trucks, this time in Narre Warren. The truck driver had to immediately find an area to tip out the whole contents of the truck and emergency services were called to put out fires in the truck and on the ground. Fortunately, the driver and members of the community were unharmed If you know someone who's not aware of the dangers of batteries in bins, you might want to share this video from our recycling partners at Cleanaway.. |
Save $$$ with solar Thinking about reducing your bills this year? Join us from the comfort of your couch on Thursday evening, June 20 for comprehensive information on solar PV systems, solar storage, electric hot water heat pumps, and split systems for heating and cooling |
Shop smarter - electric heaters Time to upgrade? Check out the latest and most efficient heaters to keep you warm, without unduly raising the global temperature.
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Borrow more than books Great news, Cranbourne and Bunjil Place Libraries now offer portable induction cooktops to borrow. If you want to learn more about all the benefits of induction cooking before you install, hire a kit and try before you buy. |
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Right on target for 100% renewable energy From 1 July 2025, the City of Casey will be joining 51 other Councils as part of the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO). VECO is the largest emissions reduction project ever undertaken by the local government sector in Australia and will provide cost-effective renewable energy generated by Victorian wind farms for Council’s operations through a renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). |
Casey flora and fauna spotlight – Purple Coral Pea
Hardenbergia violacea or Purple Coral Pea as it is commonly know is a twining climber with lance-shaped leaves that are dark green above and light green below. It puts out sprays of deep purple flowers with green-yellow centres from July to November. The cultivated varieties can be more vigorous climbers with white, pink, mauve or blue flowers. Image: S. Charles
Gardening in small spaces With medium density dwellings springing up in Casey it's still possible to provide wildlife with a place to visit. Many natives grow well in pots and are ideal for small spaces. |
2024/25 Biodiversity Incentive Scheme This grant round closes at the end of the month. There's still time to submit your application if you are planning biodiversity improvement works on your property! |
Improving our environment | City of Casey If you need inspiration, Pauline has been a Biodiversity Grant recipient for a number of years and has done some amazing work on her property. View her story here. |
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Edible Natives - Strawberry Gum, Eucalyptus olida When you think of a Eucalypt tree you don’t usually think of strawberries! This 10-20m tall tree has strong berry-scented leaves that can be used in a range of different dishes. Since the 1980’s the leaves have been harvested for use in perfume and flavouring. 
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What to plant Low GI and full of insoluble fibre, carrots are also a great source of beta carotene, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. Plant your own and pick 'em when you need 'em. |
Use it up recipe -Carrot Greens Chimichurri Chimichurri is a Uruguayan and Argentinian sauce that's delicious with grilled meats, veggies and eggs. It's also tasty marinade for tofu and other proteins. |
Climate-Smart Agriculture Program (Australian Government) closes 4 June 2024
This grant supports farmers and land holders to adopt sustainable agriculture best practices and to implement practice change that improves the management of our natural resources and increases sustainable on-farm productivity and resilience to climate change.
2024 Children’s Week Grants (Victorian Government) closes 16 June 2024
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for a grant of up to $1,000 to contribute to the cost of hosting a Children’s Week activity that celebrates the theme " Children have the right to a clean and safe environment".
Biodiversity Incentive Scheme (City of Casey) closes 30 June 2024
This grant supports conservation projects within the community, including private landholders, to maintain, protect and expand sustainable and healthy natural environments in Casey.
Ageing Positively Festival Grant (City of Casey) closes 12 July 2024
This grant supports aged care facilities, retirement villages, businesses, community groups and organisations to participate in the festival by hosting an event(s) or activity (activities) aimed at residents aged 55 years and over.To receive an invitation to facilitate an event, please register your group with the Ageing Positive data base by emailing us at PositiveAgeing@casey.vic.gov.au or visit https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/ageing-positively-festival to view the 2023 program.
What are your tips, hacks or even questions for using, reusing, upcycling and recycling? Please share them with us via email or through the Green Living in Casey Facebook group.
Finally, if you're not sure what to do with your waste, check out our searchable directory or our updated Recycling and Waste Guide.
