EarthSong in the International Year of Biodiversity.
To focus our year on life’s incredible diversity, to celebrate the interdependence of the ecological systems of our planet, and to mourn their diminishment in these times of extinction seems apt as we enter this new decade. Join us for our annual symposium which will focus on the plants and animals of South Eastern Australia .
Biodiversity is a word used to describe every living thing on the planet – everything that ever was, is now or ever will be.
The term refers to plants, animals and micro-organisms, as well as the genetic material that is contained in each individual organism and the ecosystems which these organisms create.
Australia is one of seventeen countries defined as megadiverse in July 2002. These 17 countries contain over 70% of the world’s species. Our ancient land supports the largest number of native species of reptiles and overall non-fish vertebrates and has the fifth largest number of native plant species.(source Australian Geographic website) Read more: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/society/a-nation-of-megadiversity.htm#ixzz0d1qHTQsE
Towards Earth Literacy:
Wild Habitats: A Natural History of Australian Ecosystems,
Allan Fox & Steve Parish, ABC Books, Sydney, 2007.
A life-long obsession with nature has brought together the photography of Steve Parish and Allen Fox’s story of how Australian habitats function.
The result is a book which provides two vital ingredients for our task of participating as members of the earth community in a time of escalating change.
The stunning beauty of our continent, brought to life through the photography of Steve Parish combines with Allen’s explication of an ever-changing ephemeral landscape, filled to overflowing with diversity and drama. (p.8)
We seek to learn new ways:
Reading Circle
Treacy Centre
3rd Monday of each month
2-3 p.m.
Canticles to the Cosmos
Wednesdays, February 10th, March 10th, April 14th
7.30 – 9.30 p.m.
Kildara Centre, rear 39 Stanhope St Malvern
Details of EarthSong’s Programs for 2010 are located in the left column.
We are being called into a new place:
The Transition Decade will be launched at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday, 14th February, 12 noon – 3 p.m. Drawing together and showcasing the work of environment and social groups working for a decade of transition to a safe climate and sustainable future. Free event but please register. http://www.t10.net.au/
Earth Hour: On Saturday 27th March 2010 at 8:30pm, people and organisations across the world will switch off their lights for Earth Hour. Please join them and consider marking the occasion by sharing a candle-lit meal with friends or creating a local community gathering viewing the night-sky.
Sustainable Living Festival: This year’s main events will be at Federation Square, Friday – Sunday, 19-21st February. Anne Boyd from EarthSong will be a panelist on the Greenfaith sponsored conversation: Spirit of the environment. Click on the link provided to view the complete program and get a sense of the variety and depth of the movement creating a sustainable future: http://festival.slf.org.au/
