CERES Community Environment Park
CERES Community Environment Park is a  not-for-profit environmental education centre and social enterprise hub located in urban Brunswick East, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1982 on a former rubbish dump, CERES Park operates on land owned by Merri-Bek City Council. The CERES Park is one of four locations run by the governing body of CERES EARTH Ltd, trading as CERES. CERES is registered as a company limited by guarantee and is governed by a voluntary Board. It provides a range of programs and services including environmental education programs and workshops, an urban farm and community gardens, cafe, grocery, plant nursery and various other social enterprises. Its charitable purpose is "protecting and enhancing the natural environment, including by providing information and education to increase understanding of human impacts on the natural environment". CERES is run by about 160 employees and many volunteers. CERES (pronounced series) stands for Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies, though this longer version is not normally used. The name also connects with Ceres the goddess of agriculture in Roman mythology as a large part of the Park is dedicated to urban farming. History

CERES Park is located on the banks of the Merri Creek, land that was occupied by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, prior to European invasion. The site was used as a Chinese garden during the first half of the 20th century and became a quarry for bluestone from 1945. In 1982, some locals of the area suggested making use of the land to grow vegetables and make compost as part of a "work-for-the-dole" program. Shortly afterwards, invitations for school kids to learn about these emerging programs in green technology, recycling and organic farming. Along with Merri Creek Management Committee and Friends of Merri Creek, CERES and volunteers planted hundreds of trees and shrubs and lobbied governments to clean up the creek. The first Sacred Kingfishers which returned to the land were spotted in 1994. Ever since, the community park has been a place for education, practice and awareness for the environment and sustainability, as well as a location for social gatherings. The first tree was officially planted on the site by Dr Barbe Baker—founder of the Men of the Trees—on 16 September 1981. Enterprises 
Additionally to a large variety of workshops led at CERES about sustainability, gardening, cooking and sustainable practices, CERES provides different services:

- The Bakery & Grocery, selling a large range of local, organic and zero waste products and baked goods. - The Merri Cafe, serving local, organic and ethical food and drinks. - The Nursery & Bookstore, selling a variety of local bush food, edible plants, herbs and books. - Joe's Market Garden, growing and selling fruit and veggies, situated in Coburg. - Honey Lane, half an acre of land growing fruits and veggies sold at the Cafe and Grocery on site. - The Bike shed, where volunteers repair donated bikes and sell them at a low price or donate them to those in need. - The School of Nature and Climate, teaching children and the wider community about sustainability and climate change. - CERES Fair Food delivering organic and biodynamic groceries either grown at CERES or from Victorian farmers, situated in Preston. - CERES Fair Wood providing sustainable timber and firewood from local and short supply chain, situated in Preston. Studies conducted at CERES 
Energy studies at CERES Community Environment Park, 1970. Organic (dis)organization and transformation: Stories of resistance and return at CERES Community Environment Park, 2021. Awards 
Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards 2017 – Education: winner. Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards 2016 – Education: finalist. Gallery

See also
 Collingwood Children's Farm
 Permaculture

References

External links

CERES official website
CERES Fair Food
CERES School of Nature and Climate
Worms work for unemployed

Buildings and structures in the City of Merri-bek
Environment of Victoria (state)
Parks in Melbourne