Enthusiastic Queensland locals are joining a new Community Coastcare intitiative to help look after our valuable estuary and mangrove habitats.
On May 2, from around midday to 4.30 pm, MangroveWatch will be launched in the Wide Bay area at the Sea Scout Hall at Torquay. All are welcome to join in and to learn about this ambitious pilot program.
Mangrove facilitator and mangrove specialist at The University of Queensland, Dr Norm Duke, said MangroveWatch was a new initiative for a locally-based community program to monitor change taking place in mangroves and tidal wetlands of the Burnett Mary region.
Changes might be caused by climate or sea level rise, or due to local disturbances and pollution.
The Community Coastcare, Caring for our Country, project is facilitated by The University of Queensland and supported by a range of stakeholders including: the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Butchella Traditional Land custodians, Coastal Water Quality Alliance, Cooloola Wild Dog Control, Cooloola Coastcare, Xavier College, Burnett Heads Progress Association, Friends of the Burrum, Ocean Watch Australia, Port of Bundaberg and P.I. & Fisheries (DEEDI).
Cooloola Coastcaree volunteer Peter Raynes said it was "about time someone got smart about managing our mangroves."
Dr Duke said a key feature of this project was its close partnership between community volunteers and marine scientists from The University of Queensland’s Centre for Marine Studies.
Science specialists would help train community members, assist in selection of monitoring sites, provide expert advice, and together develop scientifically useful and practical assessment methods for habitat health assessment.
"With this assistance, community members will become better-informed custodians of local waterways and tidal wetlands," he said.
"An early objective is to find those who will become River Keepers for the creeks and river estuaries of the region, like Xavier College and their marine science students who have enthusiastically taken custodianship of Eli Creek."
Dr Duke said MangroveWatchers would collect samples and data for compilation and analysis together with the university specialists.
The plan is to prepare a public report for May next year on key issues affecting local estuaries and mangroves, and their overall health. The area covered extends from Eurimbula Creek in the north to Tin Can Bay in the south.
Media: Dr Norm Duke, n.duke@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 2729
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