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.

Latest news and events

Get closer to nature - 5 week course

Want to meet like-minded people in your local area, learn ways to cool your environment and make lasting change in your life that supports nature?

Join the Urban Nature Stewards Program, a 5-week course designed to connect, inspire and empower you to care for nature at home and in your community.

Course topics include:

• 🌿Creating wilder urban spaces
• 🦋Boosting biodiversity with local natives
• 🏡Using plants and gardens to cool your home
• 🤝Getting involved in community initiatives

6 pm to 8 pm Wednesday evenings at Trott Park, starting 30 April, cost $25.

Make Marion greener - grants for groups

Are you an individual, community group, sporting group, recreational club, religious organisation or school who could use some funding for your local environmental project? 

Green Adelaide’s Grassroots Grants are available each year for you to transform your local environment. Grants from $2000 to $200,000 are available for local projects that contribute to a cooler, greener and wilder Adelaide.

Green Adelaide is also hosting two workshops to support you with putting together your application and planning for your grant project.

Applications close 5 pm Wednesday 7 May 

School holiday artistic fun for the kids!

Join the Marino Community Garden for a morning of pot painting! Set amongst the tranquil environment of the garden, kids will be guided through painting a 25cm terracotta pot with a plant to take home.

This workshop is for ages 6-12 years old. Parents/guardians are welcome to wait in the garden.

10 am to 11:30 am Tuesday 15 April, Marino Community Garden, cost $40.

Grow a garden for wildlife!

Get inspired to confidently transform your garden and verge into thriving habitats that enhance biodiversity! 

In this workshop (supported by City of Holdfast Bay), you will learn the essentials of:

• designing a vibrant, eco-friendly garden and verge with native plants 
• how these plants support local wildlife, conserve resources and offer ecological benefits like attracting pollinators and improving soil health.

10 am to 11:30 am Saturday 10 May, FREE, Brighton Civic Centre

Reserve your spot and turn your treasures into cash

We’re looking for stallholders to be part of the Buy, Swap & Sell Market at Trott Park. If you have pre-loved items, quality baby and kids clothes, toys and equipment we would love to have you as a stall holder.

1 pm to 4:30 pm Sunday 18 May, Trott Park Neighbourhood Centre

Building financial resilience - 6 week course

Join us for a FREE 6-week workshop designed to help you build financial resilience.

Gain practical skills to manage your finances, reduce costs, and access valuable resources on budgeting, housing, groceries, and more.

Sessions topics: 

• Introduction to Cost of Living and Financial Planning
• Managing Household Expenses – Energy and Water Bills
• Zero Interest, No Hidden fees, Genuine Support
• Having Fun on a Budget
• Food Waste, Smart Shopping and Meal Planning
• Panel Discussion with Local Service Providers

5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Mondays, starting 28 April for 6 weeks. 

What's a woody meadow? Find out during this webinar

Have you heard of a woody meadow?

Woody Meadows are a new approach to low-maintenance urban landscapes and are transforming railway easements, roadside verges, parks and gardens across Australia.

Their low water use and maintenance requirements, coupled with high visual appeal and adaptability, make Woody Meadows an attractive, cost-effective solution for councils and urban land managers in the face of climate change and often limited green space funding. 

4 pm to 5 pm Wednesday 9 April, online

Tree of the Month nominations are open!

Is there a tree you always admire on your morning walk? Maybe it’s large and shady, or smaller and still growing. Whether it's on private or public land, you can now nominate it for City of Marion’s Tree of the Month!

Simply snap a photo, let us know a few details and your tree could be recognised. 

If your tree is successful, it will be awarded a sign for a month, and we’ll snap a photo of yourself and the tree to share with our community.

Tread Lightly athletic shoe recycling

Did you know that you can recycle your sneakers and hiking boots?

Tread Lightly is making shoe recycling possible and many athletic shoe stores are jumping on the bandwagon! The nearest drop-off locations are at Westfield Marion and Drummond Golf Darlington. 

What they take: 

• Athletic Lifestyle Shoes
• Any Sports Branded Shoes
• Thongs and Slides
• Football Boots, Golf Shoes
• Leather Sports Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Sneakers and Runners
• Formal Leather School Shoes

It's Citizen Science Month! 

Citizen science is all about you helping out with important scientific research. Whether you're taking a walk, enjoying nature or just snapping a picture of a beautiful flower, your actions can contribute to real-world science.

Here are some ways you can become a citizen scientist in the City of Marion: 

• Stop by one of our 5 CoastSnap signs along Hallett Cove and Marino, take a photo, and help us track changes to our coastline over time. 
• Next time you're out and about, use the iNaturalist platform to upload a photo of any plant or animal you spot. 
• Head over to Oaklands Wetland and see if you can spot (or hear!) any frogs. Upload any frog calls you hear to the FrogID app.

Marion Living Smarties are 'stepping up for nature'

Local environmental group 'Marion Living Smarties' have joined the Conservation Council of SA's Step Up for Nature: A World Environment Day Challenge.

Since 2018 the Marion Living Smarties have been promoting sustainable living and environmental awareness in the City of Marion and City of Holdfast Bay.

Action they have supported include:

• Plastic Free July
• Petitioning against the use of artificial turf on Council verges
• Advocating for Community Renewables program
• Writing submissions on environmental issues
• Hosting displays and volunteering with 'Which Bin' at local events
• Conversations with community about protecting our big trees
• Initiating the Love Our Local Trees project and event

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

If you enjoyed this Green Thymes e-newsletter, please forward it on your like-minded family, friends and networks.