Eco-innovation on every corner, get behind the scenes in Glenorchy
Author: Wao Summit
If you have ever visited Glenorchy, you are sure to have felt a sense of underbelly innovation swirling about the quiet and tranquil streets of this small community at the head of the lake. Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, including the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park. Glenorchy has a rich history intertwined with the development of the Otago region and its significance in the broader context of New Zealand's history, so it is no surprise that there are emerging climate initiatives taking place on every corner.
This weekend, Wao Aotearoa is peeling back the layers of this sleepy community to showcase the incredible individuals and organisations doing their bit for climate change, biodiversity and regeneration at the head of the lake.
On Saturday November 4th, join a hosted self-walking (or option of biking) tour to meet locals working in this space. Kicking off at 10.00 at Mrs Woolly’s General Store with a welcome from the WAO founder Monique Kelly and Glenorchy Community Association Chairman John Glover.
Along the way you will meet incredible people like Dan from Zero Waste Glenorchy. Zero Waste Glenorchy is an environmental and sustainability initiative. The organisation's primary goal is to promote and implement waste reduction, resource conservation, and sustainable practices within the Glenorchy community.
Take a behind the scenes tour into The Headwaters & Camp Glenorchy, New Zealand’s first Net Zero energy visitor destination. The site has been rebuilt using green design philosophies and sustainable operating practice, with Camp Glenorchy using 50% less energy and water than traditional buildings.
Meet the team at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat and learn about their journey to regenerative tourism. Find out more about the incredible work Dart River Adventures and Ngai Tahu Tourism are doing making waves with the future of electric boats.
And the fun does not stop there. Learn more out more about renewable energy with Queenstown Solar, and discover the steps being taken by Dark Skies Glenorchy to become an international Dark Skies Sanctuary.
The tour will also head to Glenorchy Community Native Nursery as well as hearing from Southern Lakes Sanctuary and The Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and what they are doing to bring back the birdlife to our forests, lakes & rivers.
The day will wrap up with a screening of Greenhouse by Joost, an incredible film about a crazy house built in the centre of Melbourne. Follows visionary designer and zero-waste advocate Joost Bakker's journey to investigate what it would be like to grow all the food you ever needed, leaving no waste as you do so, right at your doorstep. To get tickets to this tour and film visit: www.wao.co.nz/summit2023 Tour tickets are $10 Film Tickets are $15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPrvc9zjIw.
About Wao Summit
Wao Aotearoa was founded six years ago, delivering climate action events and educational programs in response to the urgent need to accelerate climate action across Aotearoa and the globe. It is a community approach to tackling climate change, recognising that we can all make positive changes - whether big or small[1]and together accelerate action.
