• Increase understanding of climate change, what local councils are doing to respond to the climate emergency and prepare for the impacts of more extreme weather events affecting our environment.
• Cultivate the capacity of local community members as grass roots leaders to reduce community carbon emissions, create greater biodiversity and green spaces.
• Develop circular economy projects, waste reduction, local resilient food systems and encourage sustainable transport options.
• Develop skills and knowledge of effective behaviour change, leadership, advocacy, project creation and delivery.
• Support, motivate and empower community members to deliver environmental projects in our local areas.
• Create new networks of engaged people, passionate and active in environmental action.

There are so many incredible innovations that have emerged from Environmental leaders programs across participating councils. Below are just a few examples which highlight the variety and versatility of these initiatives. 

The Apartment Bulletin Board Project was jointly pioneered by Becky Bolu and Hoang Uyen Tran (Natalie) who graduated from the Stonnington Sustainability Champs 2022. The Apartment Bulletin Board Project is an initiative aimed at educating apartment residents about waste management practices.  The project has installed visually appealing and accessible bulletin boards across apartment complexes in the City of Stonnington. These bulletin boards offer information and content specific to their location and council regulations. The content covers a range of waste management practices, including options for food waste, items that can and cannot be recycled, and where to recycle different materials. The bulletin board also encourages swapping, sharing and provides practical tips to reduce waste. 

The content is regularly updated to keep residents engaged and informed about current waste management practices and local environmental news, helping to create a more sustainable community within the apartment complex. In summary, the Apartment Bulletin Board Project provides residents with practical tools and information to reduce their waste footprint and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

For more information, email bbolu@hotmail.com or uyentran90.sg@gmail.com                                                     

The St Kilda Bike Kitchen is a non-profit, all-volunteer-run workshop series created by Johnathan ‘Jonny’ Green, a graduate of the City of Port Phillip Environmental Leaders Program. The St Kilda Bike Kitchen’s mission is to grow and support a vibrant and welcoming community, where any person can learn to build, maintain and repair bicycles.

The St Kilda Bike Kitchen offers monthly free and friendly courses on basic bicycle maintenance. Cycling is the healthiest, and most environmentally friendly mode of transport and therefore in supporting and encouraging the uptake of cycling, this initiative helps to reduce the carbon footprint of participants through lowered greenhouse gas emissions from driving. These workshops teach the basics of how to clean and maintain healthy bikes with no previous experience required. For accessibility and inclusion of all, instructors teach the group using spoken instructions and together with infographic diagrams and demonstrations. 

For more information, check out their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stkbikekitchen                              

Serene Kitchen is cooked up by head Chef Serene (Kiat Chen) Lau, who graduated from the City of Port Phillip Environmental Leaders Program. As a Chinese Malaysian artist based in Melbourne holding a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Melbourne, Serene Kitchen is the place where Serene fuses her love of art with a deep care for the environment.  A signature dish offered by Serene Kitchen are the Fish Safe Paint Workshops. 

Here Serene facilitates workshops in which participants make the freshest paints out of edible materials and food waste.  The workshops are backdropped by a broader education of what paint is, the differences between natural and synthetic paints and how they can impact our local marine wildlife and cause damage to local waterways. All products and artworks made from these workshops are compostable and safe to pour down sinks (or can alternatively be used as food for plants).  Other items on the menu include ‘Earth Children’ and ‘Port Phillip Dragon’ – projects which examine the interconnection between artmaking and our local environment.

To see the whole menu on offer, head to: https://serenekitchen.art

For more information, contact your local council about what Environmental Leadership courses they have on offer. Alternatively contact the EcoCentre via email (info@ecocentre.com) or call 03 9534 0670 for more information or a quote for facilitating Environmental Leadership courses.