Source: OCSE

2. Community leadership and sustainability


2.1 Canberra’s environmental community

Did you know?

You don’t need any formal training to be an environmental volunteer or advocate – you just need a passion for the environment!

The ACT community is full of dedicated, passionate people who are invested in making Canberra a more sustainable place.

We have a vibrant volunteer community committed to restoring habitat, monitoring local species, testing water quality and caring for wildlife. Environmental volunteers undertake vital activities to improve local ecosystem health and increase knowledge about our environment. The immense work volunteers undertake in the ACT could not be done by government alone.

Source: OCSE.

Additionally, there are many local groups working to promote sustainability and climate action in the community. By hosting community events, running workshops and creating educational resources, these groups are spreading the word on a wide range of topics from waste reduction to active travel, low carbon living, community gardening and more. Many of these groups are driving the circular economy in Canberra.

Lots of community groups also advocate for environmental causes through campaigns, petitions and public submissions. When we join together, our voices have collective power. Speaking out about environmental issues draws the government’s attention to them and can result in better outcomes.

Explore the stories below to learn more about what’s happening in the Canberra environmental community. You can also find more stories and information about volunteering at ACT Environmental volunteers.

Community Toolbox Canberra

Community Toolbox Canberra

Why buy tools when you could borrow?

Buy Nothing

Buy Nothing

Building community and reducing waste through neighbourhood gift economies

Being Part of the Movement

Being Part of the Movement

School Strike for Climate organiser Aoibhinn Crimmins on action, opportunity and hope

Chapman Primary

Chapman Primary

Creating a ‘culture of sustainability’ at Chapman Primary School

Repair Cafes in Canberra

Repair Cafes in Canberra

Broken item? Repair cafes can help

Canberra Ornithologists Group’s Woodland Bird Report

Canberra Ornithologists Group’s Woodland Bird Report

21 years of citizen science in the making

Citizen Science at Bluetts Block

Citizen Science at Bluetts Block

Orchid spotting with Canberra Nature Map

Reflections on Nature

Reflections on Nature

Connecting with nature through art and photography

Straight from the Source

Straight from the Source

How buying local can reconnect us with the food chain

North Ainslie Primary

North Ainslie Primary

We are the next generation caring for the environment.

Now is the Time

Now is the Time

Isaak Brown says there's no time like the present to step up for the environment

Making Sustainability the First Order of Business

Making Sustainability the First Order of Business

How Two Before Ten are keeping it green

Zero Emissions, Go Electric

Zero Emissions, Go Electric

Bringing the community along for the ride when it comes to electric transport

The Type of World I Want to Live In

The Type of World I Want to Live In

Matilda Ross shares her advice on sustainability advocacy at school

A Green Future for Our Community

A Green Future for Our Community

Making sustainability a way of life at Radford College

How to Be Future-Focused

How to Be Future-Focused

Looking ahead with the Canberra College Sustainability Action Group

Global Worming

Global Worming

Worming our way out of landfill

Urban Parks and Places

Urban Parks and Places

Volunteering to protect and enhance our urban green spaces

Landcare and Bushfire Recovery

Landcare and Bushfire Recovery

Mobilising volunteer efforts to restore native habitat after Black Summer

World of the Weird and Wonderful

World of the Weird and Wonderful

Ciaran Ernst-Russell talks citizen science, bush adventures, and having a crack

Sustainable Fashion Starts Here

Sustainable Fashion Starts Here

How Hawker College's Gaia Club is giving fast fashion the boot

Southwell Scout Venturers

Southwell Scout Venturers

Protecting our natural environment through youth-led citizen science

Bee Friendly Hall

Bee Friendly Hall

Australia’s first bee friendly village

Parliament of Youth on Sustainability

Parliament of Youth on Sustainability

The next generation pitch their ideas to help Canberra thrive

Turning Timber from Trash to Treasure

Turning Timber from Trash to Treasure

How Thor's Hammer is saving used timber from landfill

Calling for a Seat at the Table

Calling for a Seat at the Table

A conversation with Chris Hubbard, member of the Climate Change and COP28 Youth Advisory Group

You can find a more comprehensive list of environmental and sustainability groups in Canberra by clicking the button below.

Community Groups

Volunteers at Holder Wetlands. Source: OCSE.