Popular speaker returns

A very entertaining and informative guest speaker is returning to Kangaroo Island to deliver a presentation on the positive benefits contact with nature has on well-being. Associate Professor Mardie Townsend from Deakin University will present her findings in a public presentation to be held in Kingscote and Parndana.

Mardie was a guest speaker to the first Biodiversity Conference on Kangaroo Island in 2010 and captivated many in the audience with her down-to-earth accounts of her research. This resulted in her being invited to address the ‘Sustainable farms, Sustainable Island conference’ in 2012 and once again her presentation attracted lots of interest. Her January visit to the Island is in association with the very successful ‘Get dirty, feel good’ environmental volunteering program.

Program coordinator Robyn Molsher is thrilled that Mardie has accepted the invitation to return,‘We thought it would be great if Mardie could come back to KI and talk more about the findings of her latest research as it is so interesting and she presents it in a way that is easily understood’, she said

Environmental volunteering not only benefits the environment but there is growing evidence that it can also improve people’s health, well-being and quality of life. Mardie will present the evidence for improved outcomes from environmental volunteering and discuss strategies for optimising benefits to the individual, community and environment.

Mardie’s free one hour presentation will be repeated at a range of times and locations to maximise the opportunity for people to attend. Sessions will be held in Kingscote on 22 and 23 January and also in Parndana on 23 January. Bookings are requested for all sessions and can be made with the Natural Resources Centre.

Session details and locations. For more information or to book, please contact Robyn Molsher at the Natural Resources Centre Kangaroo Island, or email robyn.molsher@sa.gov.au