Sands Running through the Hour Glass

Shifting Sands, Queensland’s Inaugural Coastal Conference, hosted by the Burnett Mary Regional Group, is taking place on 17th – 19th September 2007, in Bundaberg.

The Conference provides an opportunity to debate the full range of coastal and marine issues; and to identify ways we can improve our collaboration towards meaningful outcomes in the coastal zone.

Click here to read more and to register for the event.

Shark Space & Survival of the Fittest

The Australian east coast population of grey nurse sharks (GNS), Carcharias taurus are listed as critically endangered, with only an estimated 500 individuals remaining on Australia’s east coast. 
Carley Bansemer, a part-time Senior Conservation Officer with QPWS is undertaking her PhD on the GNS.  One of her core study sites is Wolf Rock, off Rainbow Beach in Queensland, where excitingly, earlier this month, the researcher found at least 40 pregnant grey nurse sharks.  Click here to read more about her surprising findings.

Study to pinpoint Coast Climate Change Threats

A Griffith Centre for Coastal Management study will map and model the vast coastline from Gladstone to Noosa to assess the impact of climate change on vulnerable coastal communities.
The year-long study project is funded with a $160,000 grant from the Burnett Mary Regional Group, and will provide essential data for one of Queensland’s most mobile strips of open coastline.  Find out the details about the study here.

‘Water’ Awareness and Education in Durong

Durong South State School was successful in receiving funding from Round 2 Community Water Grants, with BMRG willingly providing in-kind support to the school for ‘water’ awareness and education.
Activities on the first visit included older students discussing and drawing a catchment, which incorporated the associated good and bad impacts on water quality.  Read here what happened at the second visit.

To Boyne or not to Boyne…. Boyne Island location for the latest Coastal Forum!

April 21st saw more than 20 interested ‘coasties’ take part in BMRG’s Coastal Forum at Boyne Island, kindly hosted by Tannum Boyne Coastcare. 
Presentations on the day included Seagrass Monitoring in the Great Sandy Strait, Foreshore Rehabilitation at Agnes Water and 1770 and Inshore Dolphin Research. An air of controversy was apparent in all presentations with respect to issues impacting upon their projects in the region, from development pressures to public awareness.  Click here to read more.

New generation of reef guardians rewarded

Students at three schools in the Burnett Mary region have recently been rewarded for actively demonstrating their dedication to safeguarding Queensland’s fragile marine environment.
The award-winning schools, Gympie East and Wondai State Schools, and St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg have taken 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s (GBRMPA) ‘Reef Guardians’ Schools Program.  Read more about Reef Guardian’s involvement.

Water Bugs Winners of Kidzone (again!)

Gympie & District Landcare Group were busy again this year with the organisation of the annual Kidzone on June 6 & 7.  The event was opened by Councillor Maree Prior who provided some words of support and encouragement for those participating.  
BMRG staffers, Alice Fisher, Joel Bolzenius and Cheryl List fought hard to deliver the ‘favourite’ presentation for the students, but the competition was as tough as always with MRCCC’s ‘water bugs’ proving to be an all-time favourite. Find out more.