might otherwise end up in landfills and fix it up for people to use within Community grounds. The Urban Water Conservation, Demonstration and Research Facility – sustainable water projects. The Eco House The CERES Eco House is an example of a residential building that shows sustainable living retrofit options, which could be implemented in various other houses. Some of the features shown in this house include insulation, grid interactive PV power systems, energy efficient appliances, passive solar extensions and additions, etc. Many events are held at CERES including weekend guided tours and private functions. There are three regular festivals each year – Harvest in March, Beautiful Darkness at the winter solstice, and the Return of the Sacred Kingfisher festival in November. The latter celebrates the first time a sacred kingfisher was seen on the site after re-vegetation and the transformation from rubbish tip. CERES is a popular site for school excursions and research students with around 60,000 students visiting each year. The property is readily accessible from the Merri Creek Trail. Entry is free. CERES also manages Joe's Market Garden (formerly known as Harding Street Market Garden or Merri Creek Market Garden), a heritage market garden located on the Merri Creek, two kilometres north of the main site. CERES is partially funded through its own programs, café and events as well as project grants from a variety of Government and private sponsors. While the park is open to the public freely, donations and memberships are appreciated. A popular volunteer program is also available. Design The main park consists of the following areas within its compound: • a visitors' centre • a cafe and community kitchen • permaculture and bushfood nursery • organic market, grocery and coffee stall open every day • two certified organic market gardens located over two sites, Honey Lane Market Garden and the Merri Creek Market Garden • community gardens for local residents • an ecohouse featuring the latest green technologies and ideas in sustainable design • portable worm farms made from recycled Council bins Awards Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards 2017 – Education See also Collingwood Children's Farm Organic farming Permaculture Sustainability References Worms work for unemployed External links CERES official website CERES Sustainability Hub CERES Fair Food Mathews, Freya 2000 'CERES: Singing Up the City', in PAN (Philosophy Activism Nature) no 1, 2000, pp 5-15. 'CERES Environment Park Celebrates 20th Birthday', Earthbeat transcript, broadcast Australian Broadcasting