Expert to speak on building resilience through community gardens

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is a non-profit organisation which runs kitchen garden programs in schools across Australia. Dr Wilkinson has also worked on projects across Europe through her role as an urban resilience expert at the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden, an international research centre which specialises in resilience and sustainability science.

Using insights gleaned from these roles, Dr Wilkinson will explore how community resilience can be fostered through kitchen and community gardens in Northern Rivers communities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread flood events.

The public talk is hosted by Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM). NCNM Foundation Director Professor Jon Wardle said he is excited for Dr Wilkinson to present her ideas at the Living Lab Northern Rivers.

“Dr Wilkinson brings over 20 years of leadership experience in community resilience and sustainable developments across Australia and Europe. We are delighted to have her join us in Lismore to share her insights into the benefits of community gardens,” Professor Wardle said.

“Research has shown community gardens increase wellbeing for participants, improve food security and foster social interactions. We are interested to hear how the implementation of kitchen gardens could benefit our Northern Rivers communities.”

Dr Wilkinson has previously worked as the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, during which she led major metropolitan planning, environment and water reforms for the Victorian government. She is also a Professor of Practice at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.

The Living Lab Northern Rivers is a collaborative project between Southern Cross, UTS Sydney and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

Event details:

Community resilience and the role of kitchen and community gardens

Thursday, 18 May 2023

10:30am – 12pm

This is a free event.

Location: Living Lab Northern Rivers shopfront

11 Woodlark Street, Lismore NSW 2480