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: Protecting Trees and Cooling Our City 

Join us to explore the incredible cooling power of trees - and how you can create a cool sanctuary at home. 

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Find out more about Council’s role in protecting trees and our tree planting programs and initiatives  

• Discover our local urban hot-spots ] 

• Be inspired by passionate local community members working hard to protect our local trees 

• 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, Cove Civic Centre

Have your say for Common Thread 2025!

Common Thread is a space for you to get inspired, make connections and learn about all thing's sustainability!  

We need your help to make Common Thread 2025 even better! Please fill out the survey to tell us what you want to learn about during the upcoming sessions. 

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

Concert at the Cove 

Pack your picnic rug and settle in for an afternoon full of music, fun and community spirit as Concert at the Cove returns for another year transforming Hallett Cove foreshore into a retro-inspired celebration.

This free summer festival at Heron Way Reserve is guaranteed to be a great day out for the young and young at heart, with hours of live entertainment with talented local acts, food trucks galore and family friendly activities.

With the fabulous foreshore as your backdrop, the setting is picture perfect for good vibes and great times.

3 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 8 February, Heron Way Reserve

Whacky wildlife and funky flora with Wild Man!

Bring your sense of curiosity and adventure in this truly immersive, impactful and fun-filled eco-science experience.

Embark on a journey with Wild Man, your enthusiastic guide to exploring the rich tapestry of birds, bugs, beasts and botanicals that call the Adelaide Botanic Garden home.

There are endless opportunities to improve your bird-spotting skills, identify amazing plant adaptations and immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity that surrounds you.

10 am to 11:30 am Thursday 16 and Wednesday 22 January, Friends' Gate, Adelaide Botanic Garden

Oaklands Estate Reserve parkrun

A free, fun and friendly weekly 5 km community event. Walk, jog run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a short handheld lead. 

The Oaklands Estate parkrun also caters to visually impaired participants with some members trained as Visually Impaired guides.

8 am to 10 am, Every Saturday, Oaklands Estate Reserve

Do you want to learn to grow amazing food? 

Join this FREE 14-week course and learn skills to grow organic food in backyards, community gardens and small farms. This hands-on course will prepare you for work, further study and volunteering in small-scale food growing. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria before applying. 

Topics include:

• soil health
• composting
• propagating
• harvesting

 Thursdays, starting 6 February, Glandore Community Centre and Garden. 

Earth Observation: Close to Home

Explore the satellites that are orbiting earth and the ways in which they help protect our planet. Learn how they help us in weather forecasting, climate analysis, disaster response, environmental protection, agriculture and urban planning.

Discover the important role our satellites play in understanding and tackling our environmental challenges for a sustainable future! 

Various times and dates, McEwin Building, Lot Fourteen

Steve Backshall's live ocean adventures! 

Experience live experiments, cutting edge science and big screen footage from Steve Backshall's 2 decades in TV to help bring the icons of the Big Blue to life.

From Great whites to Great whales, seals to sardine shoals, Orca to the oddities of the deep: this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to dive deep into the wonderful world beneath the waves.

Various dates and times available, ticket prices $70 - $85, Adelaide Entertainment Centre 

Latest news

Photos courtesy of Green Adelaide

3 weeds to watch out for this summer

Warmer weather can help with growing our gardens – but it can also mean a tricky time for pesky weeds.

Here are the top three to watch out for in summer:

1. Fountain grass - often planted as an ornamental grass in gardens, this weed takes over bushland and threatens our native plants and animals. You can identify it by it's feathery pink-purple seed heads and it grows up to 1m high.
2. Gazanias - a tough and low-growing brightly flowering plant that grows in clumps and can cover large areas. They produce lots of seeds which are spread through the wind or by the dumping of garden waste.
3. Caltrop - a flat, sprawling summer growing herb with nasty spiky burrs. If you spot caltrop on public or private property, please report it to Council via My Marion Portal on 8375 6600.

Council has a weed management program that targets a number weed species, including these three. 

Blue Banded Bees at Upper Field River

Conservation volunteer Dan Easton has been busy capturing iconic Blue Banded Bees visiting Clasping Goodenia (Goodenia amplexans) at the Friends of Upper Field River site in Trott Park. 

These bees are not only easy to spot with their loud, deep buzz, but they also play a crucial role in pollinating veggies and a range of native plants. Their unique method of buzz-pollination means they help produce larger, higher-quality fruits. 

Volunteering with conservation groups like Friends of Upper Field River is a great way to learn, act for the environment, and connect with others who share your passion

Cove Community Garden update

The City of Marion's newest community garden, the Cove Community Garden, is up and running at Perry Bar Farm in Hallett Cove. 

Garden members Simone, Michelle, and Sarah are pictured proudly standing in front of the freshly installed fence. The garden group is now getting ready to install their garden beds! 

2025 Citizen of the Year Awards 

On 24 January 2025, an evening of celebration will be hosted at our newly revitalised Marion Cultural Centre Plaza for the 2025 Citizen of the Year Awards. 

Together we'll welcome more than 60 new citizens and recognise the remarkable achievements of some of our very own, honouring those who've made a lasting impact in our community. 

5 pm to 8 pm, Friday 24 January, Marion Cultural Centre 

Connect with growers near you!

Rhubarb is an AI-powered globally connected community of home food growers who are all committed to making a positive change.

With the app Rhubarb, you can share your gardening stories, exchange valuable tips and insights, and witness the collective difference we’re all making together.

Rhubarb also helps you to easily track and share your garden activity, and its AI Ruby can provide you the help and advice that you're after. 

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

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