As Eco Voice celebrates its 50th Issue, let’s put into action the idea that each one of us can do something to make a difference and benefit the environment.

Eco Voice is about working together to help people share information about the environment so we can learn from one another and all contribute a little to achieve a big result.

From left: Bonnie Hart, Dr David Suzuki and Rodger & Diana Higgins. Photo supplied by Flinders University SA.

Eco Voice, The Environment Newspaper was the first newspaper that only ran articles about sustainable living.

The first South Australian Issue June 03 was a community–based paper where articles were written by individuals or organizations and not only by journalists.

Environmental specialists or researchers are particularly qualified to share their knowledge about the environment and help us learn. Hundreds of people from different backgrounds told us they were looking for extensive, up to date information on the environment and sustainable development.

First South Australian issue

Issue 11, first national issue

Issue 16, first international issue

Eco Voice was piloted in South Australia, going national after a successful 12 months and January 05 in New Zealand.

The Banksia Awards 2005 recognised our contribution to media leadership in Australia. With over 900,000 papers printed, Eco Voice provided a regular and broad overview of environmental information with everything from renewable energy and sustainable building to natural living and organic agriculture. Sustainable education needs to be integrated into every part of our society through adopting the triple bottom line of ‘Community, Conservation and Commerce’.

After considering the environmental impact of paper and printing, Eco Voice became web based. Eco Voice believes in being an environment friendly business (EFB), making business decisions on the basis of their environmental impact. Is your business an EFB?

We want to promote the actions of conservation groups and build a strong green economy Eco Voice networks with not for profit groups and community organizations Australia wide to promote actions that reduce our ecological footprint. To help make this happen Eco Voice worked with UNESCO and was congratulated by Professor Kenneth Wiltshire AO, the Chairman of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and Member of the UNESCO Executive Board. We also started Eco Clubs.org and work in partnership with UNESCO Clubs Australia.

There are many people who have worked long and hard to make Eco Voice a reality and to each one of them my sincere thanks as your contribution was invaluable. As Eco Voice celebrates all that has been achieved the future means there is much more to be achieved.

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development is from 2005 – 2014, let’s work together to help the environment.

Thanks

Bonnie Hart.

Farewell Bonnie!

Bonnie Hart is moving on from Eco Voice to pursue other interests. The new editorial team at Eco Voice would like to congratulate Bonnie Hart for her vision and insight while highlighting the importance environmental issues play both here and overseas and bringing these issues to the public in an interesting and accessible format.

Good luck for your future Bonnie!

Eco Voice will continue as usual as a monthly online magazine.

I just wanted to pass on thanks to Eco Voice for the fantastic webpage - story and pictures, it looks great. We actually had a woman from New Zealand order a copy [of our book] through this article. So thank you very much.

Clare Brown, Irati Wanti Campaign Office

‘Hooray' for Eco Voice because it's: Readily available; has concrete ways people can make a difference at home, in the workplace, through volunteer work, through the buying power of eco-friendly products; looks to the future and is realistic about what is achievable; does not preach or take a moralistic stance but provides achievable strategies; brings together government, community voice and local council; is easy to read, well-presented and asks for feedback; has plenty of educational resources that schools can use; is positive and optimistic; does not make wild claims.

Samantha Smith, Teacher, Scotch College

'The only paper where I enjoyed reading the ads - they are both informative and relevant'

Elderly Gentleman, South Australia

‘It is inspiring to see people taking the initiative to produce such a worthwhile paper. ‘As a teacher it has given me lots of ideas and contacts for environmental studies.'

Buffy Woolcock, Primary School Teacher, Adelaide Hills

‘A fantastic achievement making resources available to facilitate a positive future for the planet. This newspaper brings the Adelaide region together in a networking sense.'

Jamnes Danenberg, writer and activist on social justice and environmental issues.

‘The first issue of Eco Voice is fantastic — there's a lot of great content and it really does cover the cross section of the environment community. It will give us all a space to continually evolve the message to each other,'

Tammy-Jo Sutton, Wilderness Society

‘I was really impressed with the quality of Eco Voice. It is without doubt the best quality environmental newspaper that Australia has ever seen. Keep up the good work!' Jon Dee, Managing Director and Founder, Planet Ark ‘Firstly, I would like to add to your testimonials by saying your newspaper is an excellent environmental education resource that all Queensland Schools would appreciate. The obvious challenge will be to cover the ecological diversity in the natural environment that Queensland is fortunate to have which ranges from tropical rainforests to desert plains and World Heritage Great Barrier Reef to RAMSAR Wetlands on Moreton Bay.'

Debbie Best, Assistant Director General Education Queensland Office of Curriculum, Learning and Development