Eco Garden Update

Gardening Days
Thursdays 3-6pm
Sundays 3-6pm
Behind New Res
Come and help plant out,
learn about gardening
or just to have a look
and get some fresh herbs.

Greetings Gardeners and Intrigue Individuals,

The Eco Garden Project at Wagga campus is cracking along. We’ve had our major planting last Saturday and it was swell.

Recent Additions:With the help of volunteers we have managed to put up an arbour at the front gate which will make a grand entrance, especially once our creeper is growing over. The fruit trees have been settle in nicely and over the next few years will grow to feed future students. Trees include a quince, double apple, fig and a lemonade species (cross between lemon and mandarin).
We are currently making a shade shelter for people as well as growing plants. So if you want somewhere else to study this is a great hide away.

What plants can I use? Parsley and few broccoli heads, lovely lavender (smells nice and looks good), and rosemary (great with roast veggies).
Available soon: Italian parsely, rocket, mints, and lemon grass.

You have no idea how to identify these? Then pop along on our Gardening Days and check out what’s growing.
Soil Savvy Story
As novice garden coordinator I was mortified to find that the soil I was hoping to plant into had been tested and come back as too acidic to use... “Battery Acid” I was told! Eek! So in my wisdom I bought some sulphur to increase the pH. Turns out sulphur does the opposite. You think 2 years of science and a head on my shoulders would have prevented me from putting it on the garden. Well... no. Opps! So now I’m sourcing some lime and I’m going to get myself a soil testing kit to make sure I get it right. Quality compost will be the best thing soil additive, but that’s still brewing.

Lesson = Everyone can have a crack at gardening. Even if you are learning as you go.
Happy Spring Days to you!
Gem & The Garden Crew
more info: ecoactivecsu AT gmail DOT com

The Garden Party

Well, we have been hard at work in Wagga Wagga since recieving a $7000 Sustainability grant from CSU Green.

 

We have collected:

•  seeds
• seedlings
• fruit and nut trees
• gardening tools
• second hand outdoor furniture
• and lots of art materials.

The garden shed will  be going in next week and then....

On Saturday the 17th September, 2011 we are going to officially open the Eco Garden. Behind New Res there will be a buzz of activity as we whip the garden into shape, tidy up some outdoor furniture and dig in some exciting new plants.

Some of the local Landcare crew will be joining us and maybe even some Green Adventure People from the CSU Albury Enviro Club.

A free BBQ of fresh garden greens, veggie burgers, fruit and homemade lemon cordial will top off a top day!

If you want to RSVP for the bbq please join the Facebook event
or email: eco active csu AT gmail DOT com.

Gloves and tools will be provided. We look forward to a fun day of digging and dancing.
See you there!

PS After this date you can look forward to a weekly gardening afternoons and also workshops in cooking, craft, gardening, etc. Please email if interested in holding or participating in specific workshops.

Eco Active Plans - Semester 2, 2011

Gumboots or Polo Boots?
The ultimate club for outdoorsy people is BACK!

What’s up this semester?

Gardening – we’re creating an on-campus permaculture garden. It will include vegetables, quiet spaces, fragrant flowers and artwork.
Your ideas are welcome!
Bike polo – this radical new urban sport will be coming to Wagga Wagga! Don’t worry, you don’t need any skill and we provide bikes.
Pure chaos and fun!


Want more info? Check out:Facebook “Eco Active” CSU Wagga Wagga
Email  ecoactivecsu@gmail.com
Blog  http://ecoactivecsu.blogspot.com/

ECO Active Rebooted!

ECO Active is back!

ECO Active is a club for students, staff and community members who are interested in the Environment, Outdoors and Community. This year we are focusing on sustainability working on our main project. And letting off steam playing bike polo.

This year we are getting down and dirty!
That's right we are digging into the Student Garden's project.
Where: Up on the hill, behind LegoLand (new res)
 - it's a magical place just for students.
When: All this semester
Keep your ear to the ground for the following events...

What!?! ... Awesome!

• ECO Active's "Open Season" Meet Up - Social Event
                     When: 5.30pm 29th July, Friday Unwind, Crow Bar Wagga
• Bike Polo days    - have a crack at this crazy new sport
                                                            (more info here)
• The Garden Party - Planting/tidying earlier in the day
                           - Official Garden Opening
                              visitors welcome (afternoon tea provided)
• Garden Movie      - outdoor movie projected onto shed wall
• Garden Gig         - jam session, theatre and student ideas
  Everyone is welcome, we are not ageist or degreeist.  

Next Meet Up at 5.30pm Friday, 29th July @ the Crow Bar.

We look forward to meeting you.

Green Thumbs Up!

For more info email ecoactivecsu AT gmail DOT com

Bike Polo rolls into CSU

ECO Active has discovered
the amazing sport of
Bike Polo!

We had a crack at bike polo at the Students for Sustainability Conference, June 6-10, CSU Albury 2011.
What a hilarious time, with an entire group of beginners learning.


What is it?

Bike Polo involves 6 bikes, 6 players, 6 mallets, 4 goal posts,1 tap out point and 1 sacrificial ball.
Each team has 3 players. The idea is that team members must work together to get the ball through the goals at the oppositions end. You can play contact but only 'like to like', which is bike to bike;  body to body; mallet to mallet.  It can be played on grass or hardcourt surfaces (tennis or netball courts) or often in carparks.

What do I need to play?In most city clubs, you'll need to bring your own bike, helmet and knee or elbow pads if you want. Mallets are sometimes provided - but easy to make. You can use ski poles or broom handles and plastic pipe for the mallet end...  best to google it.

When does ECO Active play at uni?
We are currenlty trying to source bikes and are putting together some mallets.
Keep an eye on the facebook page and this blog for times when we're all  organised.

Where can I find out more?
Bike Polo Australia: http://www.bikepolo.com.au/
Rules: http://www.bikepolo.com.au/rules/
Videos: http://vimeo.com/6376546 ('the manual')
            http://vimeo.com/24291728 (Aussie Tournament crashes)