Local Environment Heroes

We couldn't fit all of Mark Howden's insights into our Local Environment Heroes conversation, so we're sharing his full Impact Hour talk as bonus content.

In this June Impact Hour session, Emeritus Professor Mark Howden AC takes a clear-eyed look at where we are heading on climate change — and where there are still genuine reasons for hope.

Drawing on almost 40 years working across climate science, policy, and sustainability, Mark explores current emissions trajectories and what they mean for Australia and the ACT. He also looks at the practical opportunities available to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to adaptation and emissions reduction. 

Mark discusses climate reality, without losing sight of climate hope or the paths for change that remain within reach.

Recorded at Dissent Cafe & Bar, Canberra, in June 2026.

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

In this episode of Local Environmental Heroes, we talk with Emeritus Professor Mark Howden AC about the long game of climate action — and what it feels like to spend almost four decades working on one of the biggest challenges facing the world.

Mark reflects on what's changed since he first became involved in the climate movement, what has stubbornly stayed the same, and the levers he believes can help shift us (and Canberra!) towards meaningful action.

We talk about the frustrations of working in the climate change space, the moments that provided encouragement, and the people and experiences that kept Mark engaged over the years. We also explore how change happens — and why, despite the setbacks, Mark still sees reasons for optimism.

Season Four Hosts: Jennifer Pinkerton and Julie Boulton
Sound editing: Will Tinapple, Formation Studios
Partners: SEE Change & Conservation Council of the ACT Region

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

We couldn't fit all of Michael Mulvaney's stories and insights into our Local Environment Heroes conversation, so we're sharing his full Impact Hour talk, as bonus content.

As part of our collaboration between SEE Change, the Conservation Council of the ACT Region & Canberra Environment Centre, this Impact Hour session reflects on what Mike has learned from spending so much time in one place — and on how a small group of people can become a source of new knowledge, a conduit for others to get involved, and a community of people who care deeply for a landscape.

And then there are the Gang-gangs.

Ten years ago, Mike didn't even know Gang-gangs nested on Red Hill. Now, through years of watching, learning, and trying to understand how best to care for the birds, the regenerators have established that 31% of all known Gang-gang nests are on or near the Hill — making Red Hill, in Mike's words, the "Gang-gang capital of the world".

It's a story about regeneration, citizen science, curiosity and the joy of returning to the same place and still finding something new to be surprised and delighted by.

Recorded at Dissent Cafe & Bar, Canberra, in May 2026.

'Pub language warning' for parents who may be listening alongside little ears. 

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

In this episode of Local Environment Heroes, we talk with long-time Red Hill Regenerator Dr Michael Mulvaney about the extraordinary transformation of one of Canberra's much-loved landscapes — and the Gang-gang Cockatoos that helped reveal just how special it is.

Mike has spent more than 60 years playing, exploring, and learning on Red Hill, including four decades with the Red Hill Regenerators. What began as a small group of people caring for an overgrazed landscape has helped transform the Hill into high-quality box-gum woodland.

We talk about the Gang-gang Cockatoos that nest on Red Hill, including the volunteers who brave hot weather to scout the trees and find their nests. We explore what the Gang-gangs have taught the regenerators, the surprising knowledge that can emerge from paying close attention to a place, and the people who have inspired Mike along the way.

Most of all, Mike shares the joy of environmental regeneration — and what can happen when a small group of people sticks with a place, keeps learning, and gives nature a chance to recover.

Season Four hosts: Jennifer Pinkerton & Julie Boulton
Sound editing: Will Tinapple, Formation Studios
Partners: SEE Change & Conservation Council of the ACT Region

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

We couldn't fit all of Amy Carrad's insights into our Local Environment Heroes conversation, so we're sharing her full Impact Hour talk as bonus content.

In this April 2026 Impact Hour session, a collaboration between SEE Change, the Conservation Council of the ACT Region & Canberra Environment Centre, Dr Amy Carrad explores how people, power and policy can work together to change the systems that shape our everyday lives — with a particular focus on food, communities and the policies that influence how we produce, access and consume food.

Amy shares insights from her research and work on food systems, governance and community-led change with ANU's Planetary Health Equity Hothouse & the School of Regulation and Global Governance, and she explores how we can move from simply understanding problems to changing the systems that create them.

Recorded at Dissent Cafe & Bar, Canberra, in April 2026.

'Pub language warning' for parents who may be listening alongside little ears. 

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

In this episode of Local Environment Heroes, we talk with Dr Amy Carrad about the power of food to create environmental and social change.

Amy explores how the way we grow, produce, share and eat food is shaped not just by individual choices, but by the systems, policies, and communities around us. We talk about what it takes to build a fairer and more sustainable food system, the role of people-powered policy, and how communities can influence the decisions that shape our everyday lives.

Amy also shares what inspires her work, what she's learned about creating meaningful change, and why food can be such a powerful place to start.

Season Four Hosts: Jennifer Pinkerton & Julie Boulton
Sound editing: Will Tinapple, Formation Studios
Partners: SEE Change & Conservation Council of the ACT Region

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

Have you got a favourite sweater that's starting to get holes? Perhaps you’re trying to save money on clothes and keep garments out of landfill? 

In this episode, Visual artist Dr. Hanna Hoyne will show you some valuable tips and tricks for mending your clothes in a colourful and beautiful way! Visible mending consists of renewing imperfections using multiple hands-on techniques and revitalising your favourite clothes so you can keep them in your closet.

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

Join Cid Riley from Global Worming Canberra and learn how to establish a worm farm, how to improve your worm farming skills and how to use the product at the end, hopefully inspiring you to spend more time with your worms and more time in your garden!

Note: This podcast was recorded on-site; some background noises can be heard during the episode. If you would like a second resource, please click here for our YouTube video with Cid. You can find more of Cid’s expert tips on his Instagram or on our YouTube video.

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

Fiona Buining and Michael Wilson have a background in permaculture and have over 30 years of experience growing their own vegetables and fruit. Their quarter-acre block has over 50 fruit trees, vegetables, chickens, bees and working rabbits. Join Fiona from Ainslie Urban Farm and learn how to grow your own food! 

In this episode, Fiona covers starting plants from seed, what to grow and when, establishing a bed, growing in raised beds or pots, fertility, watering and crop protection. 

You can find more of Fiona’s expert tips on her website, on Instagram or on our YouTube video.

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱

Join Paris from Canberra By Bike for a conversation on active travel in Canberra! In this episode, we chat with Paris about the benefits of choosing a bike over your car, acoustic and electric bike types and active travel groups in Canberra that you can join today.

You can find more of Paris on his website, on Instagram or on our YouTube video. 

Local Environment Heroes is a Canberra Environment Centre podcast celebrating the people working to create a healthier, more sustainable and connected community.

Find out more and get involved: canberraenvironment.org

Follow the Canberra Environment Centre on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events, workshops, and stories from our community.

Thanks for listening; environmental change starts with people. 🌱