An academic with a decidedly ‘green’ bent has won the inaugural Albury-Wodonga Environmental Achievement Award for his activities with Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga. Education lecturer Dr John Rafferty, from the Murray School of Education and the Institute for Land, Water and Society won the award for his development of the ‘Inland Living Experience’ concept, which promotes the belief that connection to the environment helps build a healthy, happy and sustainable lifestyle. “Research tells us that sustainability can be achieved through developing intimate relationships with our environment. The Inland Living Experience promotes research and education, engaging and understanding our environment as we experience significant change,” said Dr Rafferty. The award encourages CSU staff and students to actively minimise the environmental impact of their everyday activities and increase environmental awareness. Dr Rafferty will receive his award at a function at the University’s environmentally sustainable Thurgoona site in December.