Three weeks of learning at Augusta’s Community Resource Centre this month

Residents in Augusta-Tallinup will have the chance to learn more about the region’s land and marine environment in a series of talks as part of National Science Week.

Starting from this Sunday, August 4, the talks — hosted at the Augusta Community Resource Centre — will cover topics including biodiversity and wildlife in the south of the shire, gardening workshops, how to improve soil health and more.

While the afternoon sessions were free and included a complimentary lunch, co-ordinator Jay Harman said bookings were advised.

An internationally-noted environmentalist and innovator who has made Augusta his home in recent years, Mr Harman himself was the proponent of many nature-inspired inventions.

He told the Times learning more about the science of the region was important.

“I spent the holidays of my youth exploring Augusta’s incredible biodiversity,” he said.

“It grew my curiosity for how nature works, which led me to a fulfilling and rewarding career.”

This Sunday’s session will see Francesca Bertone speak on the topic of “wild things” alongside Harman.

The afternoon class will look at biomimicry and how species found within the Augusta region inspired some of the inventor’s work.

Ms Bertone will also look at the models of sustainability found in nature and how to bring that focus into households and businesses.

The August 11 talk on “smart soils” features David Lewis Mackay with a focus on food production and how understanding soils can improve sustainability and harvest outcomes.

On August 18, residents will have the chance to take their gardening to the next level in a workshop with Australia’s top gardening podcaster Steve Wood.

The three-week program was supported by a 2024 National Science Week grant which Mr Harman hoped would contribute to the uptake of science and technology among local school students.

Mr Harman said Augusta’s landscape was a major influence on his own life’s journey — including a lifetime appointment as Invention Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, being an adjunct professor at Curtin University and leading international company PAX Scientific.

To register for the workshops, visit augustapresents.com.au.