HEC Resources
Library | Energy Audit Kit | Herbarium | Publications For A Better Planet
HEC is open to the public and is used as a resource base for the local community, students, teachers, bush walkers, land carers and lovers of wildlife and nature.
HEC reference library
HEC maintains a small specialised reference library. Members are welcome to browse and borrow books that are of interest to them. There is a wide range of free posters, brochures and fact sheets also available covering topics of interest to the local community.
These include:
- Native plants and animals;
- Feral plants and animals;
- Sustainable living;
- Local tourism and
- Land management
Home Energy Audit Kit
Check if you can reduce your home energy bills! HEC has a Home Energy Audit Kit available for loan, so you can test your electrical appliances and energy use.
A home energy audit using the simple kit and audit checklist will help you to understand where you use energy in your home and where you may be able to make saving.
Herbarium
The Herbarium contains professionally compiled samples of numerous plants found in the Adelaide Hills and is a fantastic resource for students.
For Landcare Groups
HEC has equipment to make available to Landcare Groups such as tree planters and gazebos providing shelter for “busy bees” or workshops.
Library of Things
The Library of Things is launching in May 2026
Welcome to the Library of Things: A simple and sustainable way for the community to borrow items instead of buying them. By sharing resources, we can help reduce
waste and the environmental impact of overconsumption. Our goal is to
make items accessible when you need them while promoting a more
efficient use of resources for everyone.
The first step for use is to speak to a staff member or volunteer from Hills Environment
Centre, to ensure they are available to assist you with borrowing.
- View our Inventory Sheet to see what’s available to borrow.
- Go through the Checklist before checking out an item – which includes reading and understand the Conditions of Use.
- The Library of Things is accessible during Hills Environment Centre staffed
hours, usually 9am – 3pm, Tuesday – Thursday. - Please note that we can not guarantee that HEC staff or volunteers are always
available during this time frame. - Calling or emailing ahead will ensure that you can find a time that we are able to
assist you and avoid dissapointment.
E: info@hecinc.org.au / PH: 0405 527 610 - Please note that staff of The Summit Community Centre (co-located with Hills Environment Centre) are not affiliated with the Hills Environment Centre Library of things.
- The Summit Community Centre staff are not responsible for assisting with borrowing, returning or queries.
We would like to thank Adelaide Hills Council for supporting of The Library of Things through their Community Development Grants program.
Please note our wildlife cameras are currently on extended loan to the Hills Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo Project and will not be available until 2027
HEC Publications
‘Which Weed? Invasive Plants of the Central Mount Lofty Ranges’
$20 each. A comprehensive pictorial guide to help identify some of the environmental weeds found locally. It has full colour photographs and detailed plant descriptions to help you identify any species you may have on your property.
The book was compiled by Dr Geoffrey Bishop with a grant from “Caring for Country” and the AMLRNRM Board.
‘Native Plants of Norton Summit’ 2nd Edition
A booklet to help identify the common local species for new residents, bush walkers and students. Compiled with help from many volunteers and funded by a grant from the AMLRNRM Board. Available for loan from the HEC Library.
