Sustainable Living Centre

Come by our visitors' centre - it's open to the public and provides information, displays, workshops, and an eco library, and that's just the start...

Surrounded by almost an acre of organic gardens, the Sustainable Living Centre is set up in a retrofitted 1950s house in Olympic Park.

Come and visit to find practical tools and advice on how to become more sustainable at home, at work, at school, and in your community.

We are open 10am - 4pm Monday-Friday and Saturdays 10am - 1pm or by appointment.

Biodynamic Organic Garden Group

This is an active gardening group learning about the principles of biodynamic/ organic gardening, sustainability, and permaculture through field trips, garden visits, guest speakers and monthly meetings.

If you are interested in joining the group and receiving our Newsletter with details of upcoming events please contact :

Therese Mangos, therese@ecomatters.org.nz or phone 826 0555

Trusts EcoHouse

The Trusts EcoHouse is a wonderful demonstration in sustainable building practices and is open to the public for viewing.

Regional Environment Hui

On 15th May 2010, eighty people from around the Auckland Region got together for a Regional Environment Hui. The theme was ‘thriving in our changing environment’.

The day was hosted by EcoMatters using Open Space Technology as a way for individuals and groups to host sessions about topics that mattered to them.

10/10 Global Climate Working Bee

When:

Sunday, October 10, 2010 (All day)

Where:

Thousands of places globally. For existing local actions visit www.350.org/map

Across New Zealand and around the globe, on 10/10/10 communities will be taking action on Climate Change. From bike workshops to community gardens, home insulation to tree planting... By getting to work we'll show our leaders the world is ready for climate solutions.

Trees in the Urban Environment: Part 1 of 8 part series: Introduction

When:

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Where:

Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn

Introduction to The Tree Council's vision for encouraging awareness and sense of ownership of the region's trees by giving the course participants a practical and theoretical foundation in tree management. Presentation on the environmental value of trees. Explanation of the Assignment briefs:

Assignment 1: A portfolio of 10 actual trees in your locality including one Great Tree;

Assignment 2: A brief presentation on the final day of the course, to your peers, about your selected Great Tree of Auckland.

Bio-diesel

Clean Green Bio-diesel

Do you drive a diesel vehicle and want to do your part for the climate?

Now on sale at the Centre is bio-diesel made from reused vegetable oil straight from the pump at a competitive price.

For more information contact us on 827 6749

Trees In The Urban Environment - Part 2: Tree Identification and Field Trip

When:

Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 9:00am - 4:00pm

Where:

Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn

Tree identification: Introduction to plant identification resources. Variety of our native urban forest. Field trip: Auckland's vegetation, climate, physiography, factors affecting changes. Visit to a colonial plantation park, gully forest, kauri forest, lava forest, coastal forest, and overview of the urban forest of Auckland.

Presented by Lesley Haines, Lecturer in Landscape Archtitecture, Unitec

Please book directly with The Tree Council ph 523 1647 or email thetreecouncil@ihug.co.nz

Edible Gardening in Four Seasons - Part 3 of 4 Learn how to have a productive garden for the WHOLE year

When:

Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

Where:

Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place New Lynn

A four-part seasonally-based series for those interested in organic gardening. Participants will learn about key seasonal requirements of the edible garden for maximum productivity. The Spring Season will cover: 'Spring garden action'- garden harvest; cutting and incorporating green crops; create your own natural insect and disease control potions; propagation; crop rotation; spring planting.

NB: These workshops are a mix of theory and practical. Please bring appropriate clothing - sturdy closed shoes or boots, hat, raincoat, gloves.

Trees In The Urban Environment - Part 3: Taxonomy and Botany

When:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Where:

Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn

Taxonomy: Purposes and significance.

Botany: Gain an understanding of the structure and functions of trees and learn about the origins of scientific plant classification systems and how to correctly apply them. Plant identification language / vocabulary.

Presented by Sue Wake, Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, Unitec.

Please book directly with The Tree Council - ph 523 1647 or email thetreecouncil@ihug.co.nz

Cost: $80 for 8 sessions, or $15 each

Sustainable Living Centre