Climate change has been named by The Lancet as the biggest threat to human health, but also as the greatest opportunity for change, with the Australian Medical Association and various health bodies describing climate change as a health emergency. But what does this mean for the people of Noosa?  At the next Friday Environment Forum...

Mudjimba Island, or as it is affectionately called, Old Woman Island is known for its underwater diversity. The substrate around the island is the home for many creatures including crayfish, wobbegong sharks, cowrie shells, rays and turtles – along with tropical reef fish, corals and one group of animals often called "Jewels of the Sea"....

Feeding wild birds draws a lot of disapproval. Influential environmental, governmental and other agencies roundly condemn the practice. This is unique to Australia. In Europe and North America, by contrast, bird-feeding carries the blessing of bird lovers who, far from trying to stamp it out, do all they can to promote it. So why is...

Thirteen-year-old conservationist, environmental educator and photographer Spencer Hitchen has spent more than half of his life learning from many local, knowledgeable environmentalists.  Spencer’s thirst for knowledge about the natural world far exceeded the knowledge his parents could provide from books and the internet. They felt great relief when they found Noosa Parks Association’s Friday Environment Forum...

Everyone can save money and do their bit for climate change through electrification. This will be the focus of Mark Purcell, the speaker at the next Friday Environment Forum on July 12th. Mark is deputy chair of Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN), an electrical engineer and a fervent proponent of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. ...

Join Jodi Salmond at Friday Environment Forum on July 26 on a journey through Antarctica, when she will be exploring leadership, environmental stewardship, and the power of awe. Oh. And Penguins. As a participant in the Homeward Bound Women in STEMM program, Jodi embarked on a transformative expedition to Antarctica, delving into the intersection of...

Identification of raptors in flight is particularly challenging due to the usually long distances involved, fleeting times of observation, silhouetted nature of sightings and reliance by too many observers upon colour.  Jon believes that size and structure of the body, wings and tail are the keys to identification.  He will walk the audience at Friday...

How important is seaweed in the environment and how can seaweed be used to solve problems of the world? On August 23rd, at the next Friday Forum, Dr Alexandra Campbell will aim to enlighten everyone about the importance of seaweed. Dr Campbell is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and co-founded...

How healthy are the ecosystems of the reefs off Noosa? Jodi Salmond, General Manager of Reef Check Australia is a passionate advocate for marine conservation and environmental stewardship.  She brings her extensive expertise to Friday Forum on Sept 13th to discuss local reef health. With a robust background in Marine Science and a proven track...

Our next Friday Forum will be a truly special day with a children’s workshop. Join award-winning author Dr Sarah Pye, author of Wildlife Wong and the Fig Wasp, and learn about the inhabitants of the rainforest, from sun bears and orangutans to one of the tiniest unsung heroes. With a new appreciation for the importance...

Gary Quirk, with his wife, Debbie, took up birdwatching when they retired 7 years ago. Since then, they have travelled extensively throughout Australia in their quest to photograph as many Australian bird species as possible. Gary studied photography and design at university and has always had a role as a photographer throughout his career. Their adventures have...

Fifty years ago, all the plans for Australia to build nuclear power stations had been scrapped. John Howard tried unsuccessfully to revive the technology, but until recently there was broad agreement that it did not make sense for Australia. In defence circles, there had been some interest in using nuclear energy to power submarines, but...

A popular attraction off Noosa are the local pods of dolphins often seen around Hell’s Gate. Research of these dolphins and other pods of South-East Queensland is the subject of Dr Alexis Levengood’s talk at the next Friday Forum. Dr Levengood, a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast is emerging...

All around the globe, Paul Hilton photojournalist, has reported on wildlife atrocities across the span of his career. In his home country here in Australia, he now reports on the dire situation where deforestation leads to a crisis for endangered koalas and many other species that live underneath their umbrella in the rich ecosystems we...

Frogs play a vital role in our ecosystems, yet they face increasing threats from habitat loss, disease, and invasive species. If you've ever wondered about the frogs in your backyard or how you can contribute to their conservation, join us for an insightful and interactive Friday Environment Forum on February 28. Trevor Morrison, Community Engagement...

The platypus has intrigued animal lovers and scientists from all over the world and no one is more enchanted than Neil Andison who had a “platypus epiphany” in 2012. This was the door that opened when another one closed, when in 2020 at the age of 62, he found himself without a job and very...

Rod Lees is passionate about the food that we eat, where it comes from and its relationship to our health and the environment. At our upcoming Friday Forum, Rod will discuss the work of Slow Food Noosa, where he has served as a committee member for ten years. He and his wife, Karyn, instigated the...

The Sunshine Coast, including Noosa, is home to migratory and resident shorebirds, including many threatened species. Resident shorebirds breed on our coast, while migratory shorebirds migrate each year from the Arctic to Australia to spend the summer here.  As the Coastal Conservation and Planning Team Leader for the Sunshine Coast Council, Simone Bosshard oversees a...