She will give attendees her personal and research-based perspectives on making outdoor experiences more accessible and inclusive, so more Australians can enjoy a special connection with nature. 

The dinner will also feature creative art and writing by local students which will be displayed in local libraries throughout the Bega Valley. 

World Environment Day is the United Nations Environment Program’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. 

Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. 

Bournda Environmental Education Centre (EEC) has been hosting an annual dinner to celebrate the day for the last 41 years.

Dr Smith has been working for several years on the “Naturally Accessible” project for the National Parks Association (NPA) of NSW and has used her ecological knowledge for the NPA Koala Count and other programs.

A Churchill Fellowship recipient in 2016, she was recently awarded a senior policy fellowship position with the Department of Environment and Energy in Canberra. The fellowships are the initiative of the Chief Scientist and this is the first year that they have been offered. 

The World Environment Day Dinner is on June 5 at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega with doors opening at 6pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets are $50 and are available at Candelo Books, Bega or through Bournda EEC on 6494 5009.