The Hunter Environmental Institute (HEI) was established in 1988 to provide a forum for the interaction of people working in environmentally oriented fields in the Hunter Region. HEI is a non profit organisation, managed by a committee and operating under a formal Constitution. Our major events are our afternoon seminars featuring presentations by guest speakers (or panels) on a specific issue within the broad range of environmental topics. The meetings are held in a semi-formal setting, providing an opportunity for a presentation on a specialist topic with time for questions. This is followed by discussion and networking with others interested in environmental issues in the Hunter Region. HEI seminars are often held at Customs House Hotel, located opposite Newcastle Train Station overlooking the Newcastle (Hunter River) foreshore. Often the networking organisation, Greendrinks, follows on after the seminars with an informal evening of interactions (http://www.greendrinks.org//Newcastle).