Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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site specific
region wide
EnviroNet offers ways to get involved in community work
The front page of the EnviroNet website
People learn about how to live sustainably in urban environments
Environmental groups in southwest Victoria are developing important partnerships, learning from one another and sharing regional news and events via an innovative online resource.
'EnviroNet' is a community website with the latest information on environmental events, resources, publications, jobs and grants relevant to the rich agricultural region of Glenelg Hopkins, located south of the Great Dividing Range.
Funding
The Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) received support over three years from the Australian and State Governments to develop the site.
EnviroNet is supported by the Victorian Government, the Southern Grampians Shire Council, Warrnambool City Council, Moyne Shire Council and Timbercorp.
Activities and Achievements
The site has proven increasingly popular, receiving more than 8,000 hits a month since May 2006 from community groups, educational institutions and government agencies interested in conserving the natural environment.
Each month information is updated and an electronic bulletin sent out to the community via a distribution list with details about key new additions to the site. Individuals can add themselves to the list via the website.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA's Community Engagement Facilitator Anna Hooper said communities across the 25,000 square-kilometre region wanted an opportunity to network, forge partnerships and share new ideas and success stories.
"EnviroNet is a great concept because nearly everyone is online these days - it's now really easy for people to find out what's going on to protect and conserve the environment," Anna said.
Much of the information found on EnviroNet is put there by members of the community, who are able to upload details about events or environmental projects to share with the rest of the region.
The news section, for instance, contains information about a range of community-led conservation initiatives, including a Birds Australia project calling for volunteers to help safeguard the Hooded Plover along the Glenelg Hopkins coastline.
Over the past two years EnviroNet has sponsored major regional events, including a conference in late 2004 to share latest research findings and success stories and take participants on bus tours. This year to mark World Environment Day, EnviroNet hosted a free exhibition at Deakin University in Warrnambool to highlight ways of living sustainably in urban environments.
"Both events were very popular with the community, with over 600 people attending the sustainable living expo," Anna said.
More information
- Anna Hooper, Glenelg Hopkins CMA Community Engagement Facilitator: (03) 5571 2526 or anna@ghcma.vic.gov.au
- EnviroNet
- Glenelg Hopkins CMA
See also
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Links to another web site
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