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 Institute for Land, Water and Society, has won this 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. “The Inland Living Experience promotes research and education by engaging with and understanding our environment as we experience significant change,” said Dr Rafferty. The award encourages CSU staff and students to be active in minimising the environmental impact of their everyday activities and increasing environmental awareness. Dr Rafferty will receive his award at a function at the University’s environmentally sustainable Thurgoona site at 10.30am on Tuesday 23 December.