Environmentalist recognised for half-century of championing sustainability in Wagga

Wagga environmentalist Dick Green has become the 38th Baylis Street Walk of Honour inductee in recognition of his half-century championing a sustainable future.

Mr Green took to the podium to emphasise that a sustainable future would require consideration of the past.

“If you’re looking at sustainability, we need to go backward,” he said.

“We need to connect to our Indigenous roots and Indigenous ways of doing things by respecting Mother Earth,” he said.

Using a rope as a timeline, Mr Green demonstrated to the gathering that people managed to live sustainably for 5000 years until the development of civilisation.

Over his decades championing a sustainable future for the region, Mr Green is perhaps best known for his work with Greening Australia, Erin Earth and Wagga Urban Landcare.

He also worked with Wiradjuri Elders and community members to compile the 2002 Wiradjuri Heritage Study for Wagga. There were 120 people involved in the study, which led to the official recognition of significant Aboriginal locations and landmarks in the community, including Wollundry Lagoon in Wagga.

In his acceptance speech, the environmentalist urged everyone to “think globally” and “act locally”.

He said it started with care from the individual household to the community, the nation and the globe.

“The whole world is going to suffer if we don’t change the way we do things,” he said.

“Every major ocean in the world is a big whirlpool of plastic at the moment. It is the next issue with climate change.”

Mr Green said he had seen a 70 per cent decline in flora and fauna since he started his environmental work 50 years ago.

The region had lost 97 per cent of its native vegetation and “hell of a lot of critters”.

“The domestic biomass is greater than the native fauna biomass. There are 32 billion chooks around the world,” he explained.

Mr Green said he was extremely humbled to receive the plaque in his honour.

“It means a lot to have been chosen by our community and recognised in this way,” he said.

“As a carer of Wiradjuri country, I welcome the opportunity to continue to put environmental sustainability in the spotlight to care for our environment for current and future generations.”

Mr Green played audio of an Australian raven crowing for his welcome to country and acknowledged the crow as an ancient resident.

Mayor Dallas Tout, who unveiled the Walk of Honour plaque on Baylis Street on 25 May, said he was pleased to see Mr Green become this year’s inductee.

“This plaque recognises Dick’s dedication over the years to the pursuit of a sustainable future for our city and region,” he said.

“His enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment have inspired generations and will continue to benefit the community for years to come.”