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TreadLightly EnviroFest encourages the Tasmanian community to think about the global impacts of climate change and how to live more sustainably. The festival aims to raise awareness about how people can live a healthy, active, socially and ecologically responsible and sustainable lifestyle. To highlight the message, people who ride a bike to the festival will get in for free while it's a gold coin donation if you take the bus.

It will also demonstrate ways Tasmanians can make a difference and minimise their impact on the planet. By becoming more aware, participants gain knowledge about ways they can support sustainable local industry and products. Free bike safety checks will also be on offer throughout the day.

Festival programmes and info are available at: http://www.rtbg.tas.gov.au/events.html

The entry cost will be $5 for adults and a gold coin donation for concession card holders and people who make their way to the festival on public transport. Children under the age of 16 can enter for free - along with people who ride a bike.

There are many different themes amd participants at this inaugural festival including:

Food for Thought:
Bush tucker, slow food cooking and using the ingredients of the season will be discussed, sampled and prepared at the 'Sustainable Cuisine 100-mile Food Tent'.

Education/Growth:
The CSIRO Education unit presenting its Double Helix workshop for children.

The Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) will promote education activities relating to the theme of sustainable living.

The Parks and Wildlife Service will highlight their various approaches to sustainability - including the story of the overland track and the principles of 'leave no trace'.

The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSi) is a chance to find out what schools are up in this area.

Earth/Seeds:
The Garden for Wildlife Scheme will be on site, explaining how it has been set up to provide information for people keen to identify the various birds, mammals or frogs found in their backyard or local area.

The RTBG Seed Bank has been established by the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to ensure the long-term security and conservation of Tasmania's unique native plant species. The project aims to collect and conserve 800 wild plant species from around Tasmania by the end of 2009. Tours of the facility will be offered during the festival.

Water:
The Derwent estuary extends from New Norfolk to the Iron Pot lighthouse and the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) aims to restore and promote this important waterway. The DEP will present information on Water Sensitive Urban Design and conduct tours of the Water Garden.

The Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania (SCAT) is partnering with the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre to have a stall at the TreadLightly festival and will provide information and advice on coastal management issues.

Hobart Water will bring a mobile water trailer and offer free drinking water along with a variety of water-wise games and information.

Sustainable Energy:
Hydro Tasmania and Roaring Forties will offer a renewable energy and sustainable transport display, including activities such as a model wind turbine, The King Island Project and a hybrid car.

Sustainable Living Tasmania is a community resource and education centre working to provide a direct, local, realistic and accessible contribution to the protection and restoration of the natural environment, and the development of homes and cities for a sustainable future. Their display will focus on the World Environment Day theme Co2: Break the Habit, home efficiency, the Environment Challenge (www.up2me.com.au) and the School's Environment Challenge (www.up2meforkids.com.au)

Waste/Recycling:
The festival is based on the principles of resource efficiency, sustainability and continuous improvement. The festival is adopting a sustainable waste management system and encourages both participants and visitors to avoid waste and litter where possible.

The Resource Work Co-operative will be on hand for information and examples of building with recycled materials diverted from landfill.

The Environment Division will also have a workshop asking people to make flowers from recycled materials.

Art, Exhibitions and Activities for Families:
Three artists have been commissioned to work on three different installations across the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

'Theatre in a Wheelbarrow' is a travelling children's garden theatre. The group will present 'Captain Compost' during the TreadLightly festival - a fun play designed to tackle questions on backyard composting- starring Captain Compost, Gus Fungus, Warren Earthworm and Ronaldo Rat.

The entries for the Bricolage Design Prize will be on display at the festival in the Visitor Centre Exhibition Space. Festival goers are invited to cast their vote for the People's Choice Award which will be announced at the Festival.

The Resource Work Cooperative will also be presenting an Art from Trash display

An exhibition of a selection of Peter Menzel images will also be on display.

Volunteers:
Several volunteering programs will be at the festival, talking about how people can become involved in volunteering in their community.

Talks on the Day:
There will be a program of walks and talks on the day, including information on the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, talks on the state of the River Derwent and forums in the "Sustainable Cuisine, 100-mile Food Tent" on subjects ranging from bush tucker through to composting.

The festival has been organised by the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in partnership with the Environment Division of the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts.