Blog

We’re keeping our volunteers, staff, educators, students, and broader community safe.

The EcoCentre is adapting our programs based on expert public health advice. Until 13 April, almost all programs will be digitised (meetings) or postponed (events). If you've registered for any activities, we'll be in touch with you directly. 

Uncertain about your booking? Curious about home compost? Thought up a great tip for being actively green during quarantine? To help our staff work flexibly, chatting to us by email is best:

Guest blog post by Alive Outside Snorkelling Safari participant, Shreya (12 years old)

The waves slithered onto my feet as I took a step closer. The sun was scorching and the water was cooling, just a perfect snorkelling day. I splashed into the water and slipped on my fins and started walking backwards, so that I didn't fall. 

Thanks to everyone who attended the last Teacher Environment Network Meeting on 30 October hosted by the wonderful Tim Mc Rae at Gardenvale Primary School! We explored the topic of Biodiversity by the Bay.

This guide is republished from Sustainable Port Phillip. Read their other worm farm guides here. 

Where should I put my worm farm?

Worm farms require a shady spot, especially one that is away from the afternoon sun! Undercover spots including open sheds and outdoor areas with lots of tree cover are ideal.

This article is republished from Sustainable Port Phillip. Read the original article.

If you have children, you may be having (or avoiding) some tricky conversations around the climate crisis and unsure what to say that is appropriate for your child’s age without making them fearful.

City of Port Phillip recently with a panel of students and professionals to provide parents with insight, advice and strategies, after parents told us this was something they wanted help with.

117 partner groups, 397 citizen science activities, 20,357 volunteer hours, and 17,546 program participants — 2018/19 was a busy year of rolled-up sleeves for the EcoCentre. Read our 2018/19 Annual Report below to find out more about our diverse work last year.

The EcoCentre's August 2019 free Teachers' Environment Network (TEN) workshop explored the topic of Climate Change in the Classroom.

A full house of local educators shared ideas and experiences of discussing climate change with their students through facts and storytelling. We've compiled a full round-up of all links, resources, and slides discussed in the TEN workshop. 

Until 50 years ago, people thought that the living matter on Earth could not influence the non-living matter – we were dependent on what non-living matter existed, such as water and rocks, and humans could not impact them. The Gaia theory explains that both the living and non-living spheres are completely interactive and influence one another. The Lion King wasn’t far from the truth – there are complex cycles between living and non-living matter, in a constant state of rotation.

The Port Phillip EcoCentre has teamed up with Bayside City Council, City of Port Phillip, Victorian Government and Kids Teaching Kids for the 14^th annual School Sustainability Festival, held in St Kilda Town Hall on Thursday 5^th September, 2019. The day's theme 'Bay Leadership' showcased how daily actions from waste management to garden design can directly link to and improve Bay Health.

Photo Credit: Gold and Grit Photography

Over 190 students from 13 schools came together for a powerful day of workshops, sustainability awards, and fun, all focused on Port Phillip Bay health. Students had the opportunity to lead workshops about sustainability initiatives they are pioneering in their schools, allowing students to learn from their peers.

The surface waters of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers carry nearly 1.4 billion items of litter to Port Phillip Bay each year, according to new research from Port Phillip EcoCentre.