Partnerships at Macquarie
U@MQ
Macquarie Enviro Collective (or MACEnviro)
MACEnviro is a group of students for sustainability, organised and funded by Macquarie University students with the support of other university students through the Australian Student Enviro Network. Their structure is based on principles of collectivism, inclusivity and change through non-violence. They undertake educational campaigns such as forums, Enviro Week with other clubs, and 'Walk Against Warming' with students and staff from Macquarie. MACEnviro also support members of the group to go to events like the Students of Sustainability Conference and to participate in Macquarie University committees like the Sustainability Working Group and the Sustainability Action Groups on e-waste, water and transport. The group currently meets on Tuesdays at 1pm on the grass beside the library.
For more information please email one of their friendly conveners:
- Lyb Makin: lyb_makin(at)hotmail.com
- Nikm: nicholas.mueller(at)students.mq.edu.au
- Email the group: MacEnviro(at)yahoogroups.com
N.B. The @ in the above email addresses has been replaced by (at) on the request of the group to prevent the email addresses receiving spam.
Community Garden
The Macquarie University Community Garden Club has now relocated its Garden
to a new expanded site.
The new site is on the northwestern corner of the roundabout at Culloden and Talavera Roads. It is adjacent to the road that leads to the University sports fields.
The Garden is continuing the role it had at its previous site. As well,
it
is seeking the active involvement of all the Macquarie University community
in promoting sustainability in the growing of vegetables and fruits.
It
features a number of plots that are given over to the organic growing
of
vegetables; as well as a range of fruit trees and vines.
The Garden welcomes the involvement and contributions from all students at Macquarie. As well, it welcomes the involvement of faculty members and volunteers from the local community.
The objects of the club are to :
- Foster a sense of appreciation, responsibility and love for the
local environment through actively participating in a environmentally
sustainable and socially-conscious practices including recycling all food
and garden materials through a composting and worm farm systems as well as re-using building or unwanted household items on site. - To grow vegetables and fruits organically by discouraging the use
of commercially produced agricultural products, in particular pesticides,
herbicides and weedicides. - To develop a hands on understanding of an organic food production
system (seeing, tasting, smelling, touching and hearing the
inter-connectedness of all living things, where the idea of permaculture has been based on).
Regular meetings/working bees are held on the afternoon of the first Sunday of each month at 4.00pm. It is expected that in the near future additional meeting /working bee days will be put in place.
Details can be obtained from:
- neilholm@mcsi.edu.au
Tel : 9850 6132 - markhall1@bigpond.com
Tel : 9868 7086
GSE - Graduate School of the Environment
The Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) offers postgraduate courses in environmental economics, education, management, planning, studies, science, sustainable development, and wildlife management. The GSE is the largest independent environment centre in Australia and is within the Division of Environmental and Life Sciences.The School provides a focus for research and supervision in environmental studies by staff in the various schools of the University. It also conducts and promotes interdisciplinary research and encourages the inclusion of environmental considerations in decision-making by government, industry and the community.
The Sustainability Office has formed a learning partnership with the GSE, where postgraduate students complete project work for the Office. The work conducted forms the basis of the student assessment for the semester and is of benefit to the Office itself. In Semester 1 2008, two projects will be undertaken by several GSE 844 students. One project will assess the ecological footprint of MQ, while the other will research and evaluate the sustainability practices of Westpac.