Family fun day to support nature, climate

THE Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Geelong is hosting a family fun day this weekend to raise awareness about the need for stronger nature and climate laws within the local community.

The federal government is expected to table a long-awaited update of Australia’s nature and climate laws – the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act – by the end of this year.

The ACF hopes its family fun day will encourage young families to learn about the importance of the natural environment and how we can help preserve it.

The free event will include:

Welcome to Country, story telling and flower workshop with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Corinna Eccles.

Information on how to be actively involved in the strengthening nature laws

Live music from the North Geelong Community Big Band and Dan Aaron

A community art project led by First Nations artist Kiri Tawhai Face painting Short nature films.

A speech on the impact of climate change on the Torres Strait Islands by Geelong local and Torres Strait Islander Julie Saylor-Briggs.

“Now is a critical time for us all to have our voices heard about these laws and how they need to be improved to ensure they actually do protect nature and people,” ACF Geelong event organiser Wayne Jury said.

“Australia is a deforestation hotspot and our government continues to approve fossil fuel projects, despite the release of the Climate Risk Assessment, which shows the danger we are facing due to climate change. We need strong nature and climate laws to address these failures.”

“We are asking the community to sign an open letter to the government to deliver stronger nature and climate laws.”

The family fun day will take place at Cloverdale Community Centre, 169 Purnell Road, Corio, this Sunday, October 26 from 2pm to 5pm.

To read or sign the open letter, head to acf.org.au/our-work/nature/sign-open-letter-to-labor-fix-nature-laws-now