past

Have you ever wondered how those unusual lumps and bumps that you may see on leaves, stems, flower buds were formed? Or what produced those huge lumps or scribbly patterns on the trunks of certain trees? All will be answered by Joan Heavey, the next speaker at Noosa Parks Associations, Friday Forum on June 23...

Point Cartwright Reserve is an iconic landmark that also has some truly unique ecological and cultural heritage qualities that make it a rarity on the Sunshine Coast. These include: terrestrial biota that supports critically endangered littoral rainforest; rocky shores that host resident and migratory shorebirds and many seabirds; riverine habitats that contain globally significant diversity...

Deforestation in Queensland is out of control, with the latest data showing more than 400,000 hectares of vegetation was lost in just one year alone and over 2 million hectares lost in the past five years. Deforestation is having a devastating effect on wildlife with the majority of this clearing being done with no environmental...

There is a housing crisis for many hollow-dependent animals such as parrots, owls, kingfishers, some ducks, bats and antechinus as well as species of snakes, frogs and skinks. Sugar and squirrel gliders need multiple hollows to use in rotation to escape predators and prevent a build-up of parasites. Around 300 species rely on hollows that...

Paul Donatiu from Healthy Land and Water (HLW) is the guest speaker at Friday Environment Forum on August 25 when he will discuss the restoration of lowland subtropical rainforest following the 2019 bushfires.  Large components of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area in Southeast Queensland were affected by fires in late 2019, damaging critically endangered...

Bushfire season has started. The 2019 Peregian and Cooroibah bushfires are a stark reminder that bushfires are a real threat to our community. During the 2019 Noosa bushfires, thousands of residents in our local area were forced to evacuate, causing much distress and inconvenience. After the bushfires the Productivity Commission reported: “Bushfire prevention is largely...

The Noosa Environmental Education Hub, led by Dalia Mikhail, engenders the next generation of environmental custodians by providing engaging opportunities for real life education. Noosa EEHub programs provide students with an opportunity to work alongside our region’s environmental experts on real life projects. Noosa EEHub has localised student learning through programs such as Bushfires in...

Gary Quirk’s photos are breathtaking, not only in their quality, but in the bird behaviour that he has clearly captured. How did Gary become interested in bird photography and what led him to produce such amazing photos? He explains, “My first memory of being fascinated by birds was when I was about seven years old....

Who would have thought that pollen can help solve crimes or tell about climate change?   Guest speak Linda Falkner is sure to surprise as we learn about pollen, spores, fungal material and a variety of microscopic marine organisms amongst other little beasties and their myriad of applications. The focus of Friday Environment Forum on October...

Since 1996, successive reports on the state of our environment have warned that we face serious problems. The most recent report found that the environment is in poor condition and deteriorating as a result of increasing pressures from population growth, climate change, habitat loss, pollution and resource extraction. It warned of possible dramatic impacts on...

At our first Friday Environment Forum for 2024, Adrian Caneris will take us on a journey around Queensland to look at the good, the bad, the ugly and uniquely Queensland wildlife and Queensland lifestyle and how we inevitably interact with wildlife.  From joyous encounters to just plain annoying critters, from the Great Barrier Reef to...

Come along to Friday Environment Forum on February 23 to hear how guest speaker Jude Tulloch, past president of the Marcus Beach Bushcare Association (MBBA), led a push for protection of nature reserves on the Eastern Beaches.  In response, Councillor Brian Stockwell pushed to have a zero-tolerance clause on encroachments written into Council planning documents.  ...

“Awesome” is one of the most craved human experiences. When in a state of awe, a person can be more willing to protect the environment, connect to nature, and create a sense of belonging. At the next Friday Environment Forum on March 8th, Karen Jones’ interactive presentation will share the science of awe and provide...

At the next Friday Forum, Tony Wellington, former Noosa mayor, wildlife enthusiast and amazing photographer, will talk about the many creatures that call Noosa home. His focus will be on how he went about selecting material for his latest book, “The Nature of Noosa”, as well as the wildlife he documented in the West Cooroy...

You could fly 5000 kilometres as the albatross flies from London and reach Dubai. Or you could travel 5000 kilometres by sea, south-east of New Zealand to see what is reputed to be ‘the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world’.  When you hear there are 40 breeding seabirds, that’s 11 percent of the...

“The sports ground is closed. The playground is not open to the public. Our BBQ has been cancelled. We found fire ants (Solenopsis invicta).” This will be the new Australian experience if fire ants continue to breach containment and spread across Australia. At the next Friday Environment Forum on April 26th, Reece Pianta, Advocacy Manager...

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...

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. ...