Welcome to Green Thymes! 

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

If you have any feedback or comments, you can contact us at environment@marion.sa.gov.au.

What's on

 The Heat Is On!

Join us to explore the incredible cooling power of trees - and find out what trees might grow well in your backyard!

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Find out more about council’s role in protecting trees and our tree planting programs and initiatives. 
• Uncover our local hot spots
• Be inspired with the Love Our Local Trees project by Marion Living Smarties 
• Take action and be part of 'In Our Street' - a new local program
• Get hands-on experience with a thermal camera to see the cool factor in action! 

This event is part of the Common Thread sustainability series.  

 6:30 pm to 8 pm Tuesday 18 February, FREE, Cove Civic Centre

Get into sustainable food!

Sustainable and healthy food is the focus of our Common Thread event in April, and we need your help to choose a topic!

Vote for your favourite topic below by completing the one minute survey. 

1. Happy Healthy Gut & Fermenting: Discover the health benefits of fermented foods, watch a veggie fermentation demonstration and enjoy a tasting!
2. Good Mood Food: Explore how your diet affects your mood with a cooking demo and tasting of a brain-boosting recipe.
3. Nourishing Food for Busy Lives: Learn easy meal-prep tips, enjoy a demo of a quick, healthy recipe and get evidence-based nutrition information. 

Make sure to join us from 6:30 pm to 8 pm Tuesday 15 April at Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre to learn about the most voted-for food topic! 

Voting closes Thursday 13 February! 

Oaklands Wetland tours are back for 2025!

Did you know that the Oaklands Wetland is a 'water factory' that cleans up to 400 million litres of stormwater each year? The water is then used to irrigate more than 31 local parks and reserves, street trees and playing fields. 

You'll also see an extensive array of wildlife such as waders, cockatoos, ducks and many majestic river red gums along your journey. 

10 to 11 am Thursday 13 March, Oaklands Education Centre

Planning for a year-round garden harvest

 Learn the secrets of cultivating a year-round edible garden with Patch of Plenty.

Get expert guidance on succession planting, crop planning and space maximisation, you'll gain practical insights and valuable tips to make the most of every season.

After the workshop, explore our Seed Library, borrow seeds to get started and donate seeds of your own after your harvest, helping our Seed Library to flourish.

10:30 am to 12 pm Saturday 15 March, FREE, Cove Civic Centre

Make your own delicious sundried tomatoes 

Do you have excess tomatoes? Why not sun-dry them? 

Watch the latest video from Folk of all Trades to learn how to make your own delicious sun-dried tomatoes that last over a year (if we ration them) stored in our pantry! 

Sam takes you through the simple steps to get the best flavour and storage from your tomatoes! 

Clean Up Australia Day

Clean up Australia Day is just around the corner on Sunday 2 March! 🌏♻️

Join forces with your family and friends to help maintain Marion as clean and pristine.

Feel good about doing something helpful in the face of Australia’s waste challenges and step up to clean up.

Invertebrates – nature's unsung heroes

Join Dr Jess Marsh as she explores the fascinating lives of Earth's unsung heroes—the invertebrates—and highlights why their survival is critical to our planet's future.

Representing an incredible 98 percent of all animal species, invertebrates include bees, butterflies, spiders, crabs, snails and countless others. 

During this webinar, you'll learn about: 

• The incredible diversity of invertebrates 
• How invertebrates support ecosystems through pollination, decomposition and reef-building
• Examples of endangered invertebrates of conservation significance
• The challenges invertebrates face from habitat loss, climate change, and pollution
• Practical steps you can take to help conserve these vital creatures.

4 pm to 5 pm Tuesday 18 February, Online

Latest news

Grants now open for community and youth projects

Funding is available to support local not-for-profits and youth-focused initiatives that benefit the community and the environment. 

• Community Grants offer up to $5000 per project, with one larger grant of $10,000 available per round
• Youth Grants provide for up to $10,000 per application  

For details and to apply, visit our website or contact Ashley Lambourne at 08 8375 6600 or ashley.lambourne@marion.sa.gov.au. 

Applications close Monday 24 February

Congratulations to Samantha Kerr - Citizen of the year!

A massive congratulations to Friends of Sturt River Landcare Group founder and champion volunteer Samantha Kerr, who was awarded the City of Marion 2025 Citizen of the Year. 

Despite being surprised by the win Samantha made an excellent speech inviting the 60 brand new Australian Citizens in attendance to enjoy our beautiful natural environment and join us as conservation volunteers. 

Congratulations to Greg Westlake from Friends of Lower Field River and Friends of Hallett Cove Conservation Park as well, who was another worthy nominee of Citizen of the Year.

A plan for our streetscapes - have your say

Want to see more street trees, native plantings and water sensitive design in our streets?

Three streetscape projects have been identified for delivery over the next 4 years, how will they impact you?

You are invited to review the Draft Streetscape Plan 2025 - 2029 and complete the survey to tell us what you think.

LEAP grants to support businesses to be more sustainable! 

LEAP Grants support industry sectors, business groups and supply chains to drive a more resource efficient, sustainable and circular economy for SA. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects that focus on circular and sustainable business practices, such as:

• waste avoidance and reduction
• design for reuse, repair, or remanufacture
• materials or resource efficiency
• net zero emissions (must incorporate scope 3 emissions including those related to waste management)
• circular supply chains
• sustainable procurement 

Pictured above: the 2024 winner Gemma Dawe with Leif's mum Helen Taylor

Applications for the 2025 SA Environment Awards are now open

Nominate yourself or someone you know for one of six categories honouring the South Australians who work so hard to protect our incredible environment.

Applications are open for individuals and groups, scientists and innovators to share in $12,000 worth of prizes at the gala event on World Environment Day!

Nominations are now being accepted for the following categories:

• Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection
• Working Together Award
• Leif Justham Young Achiever Award
• Pelzer Prize
• Innovation Award
• Conservation Science Prize

Nominations close March 2025

Photo courtesy of Stellar Momentum

World Wildlife Day

Join the World Wildlife Day (WWD) celebrations on Monday 3 March by discovering the beautiful plans and wildlife near you! 

Here are some things you can do to celebrate World Wildlife Day: 

• Learn about your local plants and animals
• Go for a walk through nature and observe the plants and animals you pass
• Join a local conservation group
• Record a plant or animal sighting using iNaturalist

To find out what is happening across the City of Marion, subscribe to eTalk.

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