![ErinEarth administration and communications officer Michelle Burton](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/20230216_102008-1200x900.jpg)
ErinEarth administration and communications officer Michelle Burton says the 25-year milestone is about celebrating the inspiration created by the garden. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Wagga’s thriving biodiversity hub ErinEarth is celebrating 25 years of its story and creation.
In 1996 Presentation Sisters and founders Kaye Bryan and Carmel Wallis had a vision for an environment that would both model and teach practical skills for a more sustainable lifestyle and act as a gathering place for reflecting on spirituality more closely linked with the earth.
The sustainable living education centre and volunteering community came to fruition on two asphalt tennis courts and the dumping ground of the nearby school in Turvey Park.
ErinEarth administration and communications officer Michelle Burton said the 25-year celebration was a great “achievement for the founders”.
“Carmel and Kaye created this (ErinEarth) from their idea and tenacity to get it off the ground, do what is needed and collectively get like-minded people together to make it a reality,” Ms Burton said.
“ErinEarth is a pretty amazing garden, organisation and philosophy.”
For Ms Burton, the 25 years is about celebrating the inspiration created by the garden.
“It’s such an inspiring place to visit … after rain, you can hear the frogs, see life, see creation and feel connected with the planet,” she said.
“I’m really excited about the future.”
Ms Burton said the founders were looking forward to a new generation of people getting involved.
“We really want to invite people, however big or small and even if it’s coming to be inspired and learning new things,” she said.
“We’re excited to invite the next generation to come in and help care for ErinEarth and make it a place of connection, education and sustainable living for the future.”
To celebrate the 25th anniversary ErinEarth will be hosting plenty of open days throughout the year.
The first open day in April will have a permaculture theme, with July’s to be called the ‘Winter Lantern Festival’, which will focus on winter activities.
September’s open day will focus on students and sustainability and the last one of the year, in November, will be a celebration of everyone who has been involved with ErinEarth.
ErinEarth will also run several workshops in collaboration with Wagga Wagga City Council.