The Conservation Council of South Australia, also known as Conservation SA and Conservation Council SA, is an environmental organisation serving as a peak body, representing over 50 member groups, representing over 90,000 individual members, in the state of South Australia.

Description

The Council is an independent, non-profit and strictly non-party political organisation, established to "give a voice to the growing environmental challenges that face us and the emerging solutions showing the way to the future". It informs the public and government on key environmental issues and participates in government and community processes that seek to restore and protect the natural environment. The Council liaises with industry, government departments, unions, community organisations and all political parties. By nominating individuals to sit on government committees such as the EPA Board, the Pastoral Board,[1] and the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee, the Council provides the community with opportunities for direct input into government decision-making.[citation needed]

As of 2021, there were 50 member groups. Combined, these groups represent over 90,000 South Australians with the common goals being the conservation and protection of the environment and a sustainable future.[2]

Awards

Since 1998, the SA Environment Awards have been presented annually on World Environment Day on 5 June by Conservation Council SA. As of 2024, the awards are presented in partnership with Green Adelaide, Department for Environment and Water, and University of Adelaide Environment Institute). The awards include the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection; Green Adelaide's Pelzer Prize; Leif Justham Young Achievers Award; Innovation Award; Working Together Award; and the Conservation Science Prize.[3] Since 2017, outstanding "activists, community organisers, and conservationists" have been inducted into the SA Environment Hall of Fame.[4]

Jill Hudson Award

The Conservation Council of South Australia presents the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection annually.

Past recipients have included Jillian Marsh (1998) David Noonan, Joel Catchlove & Sophie Green,[5] Richard Owen, the Kupa Piti Kunga Tjuta Aboriginal Corporation,[6] Kevin Buzzacott,[5] Anne Daw (2013)[7] and Mark Parnell (2004).[8]

The Joinery

Opening The Joinery 4 June 2015. (l-r) SA Environment Minister the Hon. Ian Hunter MLC; CCSA CEO Craig Wilkinson; Governor of SA, the Hon. Hieu Van Le, AO: CCSA President Nadia McLaren.

In early 2015 Conservation SA moved its headquarters to the disused former interstate bus terminal building in Franklin Street, owned by the Adelaide City Council, creating a community environment space called The Joinery.[9] The building houses offices sublet to other environmental and sustainability related organisations, groups and businesses, and a former carpark area has been converted to a community garden shared with the community housing group Common Ground.[10]

Member groups

Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive CCSA (2014)
Craig Wilkins, Chief Executive CCSA (2014)
DEWNR CEO Sandy Pitcher presenting the CCSA's 2015 Jill Hudson Award to sisters Karina and Rose Lester for their work in advocating on behalf of aboriginal communities in relation to the SA Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle,[11] 17 December 2015.

As of 2021, there are over 50 member groups represented on the Council:[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Stalled plans to shake up to South Australia's Pastoral Act leaves many in limbo ABC News, 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b CCSA > Our members Conservation Council of South Australia. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  3. ^ "South Australian Environment Awards". SA Environment Awards. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  4. ^ "SA Environment Hall of Fame". SA Environment Awards. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Eco eNews September 2008, Issue 55". ecovoice.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Eco eNews April 2007, Issue 41". www.ecovoice.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. ^ Media, Fairfax Regional. "Anne takes out Hudson award". Coastal Leader. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. ^ "About Mark Parnell - Greens MLC South Australia". www.markparnell.org.au. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  9. ^ The Joinery Conservation Council of South Australia Inc., Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  10. ^ Belinda Willis: Green village taking root in old city bus station. The Advertiser, 4 June 2015. Accessed 4 June 2015.
  11. ^ CCSA > South Australian Environment Awards 2015[permanent dead link] Conservation Council of South Australia. Accessed 5 January 2016.

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