Tauranga Environment Centre has brought together a huge range of events, speakers and workshops for this year's Sustainable Backyards month, running throughout March.

As Sustainable Backyards month begins, Let's Get Growing coordinator Anne Gourley and Tauranga Environment Centre greening of events coordinator Kimberley Cleland get ready for the start of Let's Get Growing, a project to build Tauranga's first community garden at Otumoetai Rail Reserve.

Biodynamic gardening and sustainable home tours, talks about the future of the Bay of Plenty coast line, and films about environmental issues are among the more than 60 events on the 2010 Sustainable Backyard calendar.
Tauranga Environment Centre has brought together a huge range of events, speakers and workshops for this year's Sustainable Backyards running throughout March.
The aim is to highlight the importance of caring for and protecting everyone's communal backyard: the environment, and to show people simple ways they can take action and make a difference. Sustainable Backyards is about promoting, educating and build awareness of environmental issues affecting the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand and the world.
A highlight of the first week is the Biodynamic Garden Tour on March 6, starting at 10am at No. 3 Rd, Te Puke, hosted by BDMax Ltd. To register attendance, phone Karen Summerhays, 07 544 3858.
One of the main goals of biodynamic gardening and farming is to create a balance between plants, animals and humans, and the needs of the soil. For farmers the aim is, as far as possible, to grow food for animals entirely on the farm. No artificial fertilisers are brought in, as the fertility of the soil will be derived exclusively from composted plant waste mixed with the different animal manures. Biodynamic agriculture incorporates the best principles of organic agriculture but is also directed towards healing damaged soils with its special preparations used to restore soil health.
The first week of events also includes:
February 27
- Maketu Kaimoana Festival (a Green Event)
- Farmhouse cheesemaking
March 2
- The No Pollute Commute Challenge opens for registrations
- Introduction to Biodynamics – Stirring of the 500
March 3
- Funky Junk Depot open
- Make Your Event a Green Event with Envirostate
March 4
- A Forest and Bird guided talk
March 5
- Regional Weedbusters Awards nominations open
March 6
- Biodynamic Garden Tour
- Multicultural Festival (a Green Event)
March 7
- Deconstructing Aotearoa: Floor Talk, Tauranga Art Gallery
- Tauranga Children's Day, Historic Village
- Seaweek begins
- Rialto Sustainability Film Series - HOME
A full programme of events is features on page 30 and 31 of The Weekend Sun.
For further information, email [email protected] see www.tgaenvcentre.org.nz or phone Tauranga Environment Centre, 07 578 6664.