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Regional natural resource management

The Bugle - 28 March 2008

In news this week

Regional NRM group stories Government updates Reef updates Wetlands updates Natural resources news
Regional NRM group stories
Property management planning in the Desert Uplands

The Desert Uplands Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee (DU) are sponsoring a series of field days/workshops in the Desert Uplands covering the implementation of property management planning (PMP). 

These days follow on from a series of successful workshops delivered throughout the DU covering property mapping and GPS training.

Facilitator of these implementation days, Mr Peter Whip recognises that property management planning is not just about managing natural resources but about managing sustainable businesses.  Issues that affect productivity directly impact on management of our landscape and vice versa.

Bare ground areas, soil loss and erosion, rundown in pasture growth, invasive weed species, and vegetation thickening are just some of the issues that impact on NRM just as much if not more than they impact on producers’ bottom line.

Many of these are fundamental issues and have been well known for many years. The ways to address these issues are not rocket science and are not complicated. 

Many producers have been to field days, workshops, and training days where PMP issues impacting on our landscapes have been identified and discussed. However, studies show that less than 20 per cent of people who undertake training attend a workshop or course, actually change anything in the management of their business.

Feedback from many producers is that they have been 'workshopped to death' and want to see action instead of words, they want to have the tools to makes changes on the ground in their businesses which will address NRM issues while delivering sustainable production outcomes. 

The process currently being rolled out throughout the DU is delivering these outcomes. One grazier who recently completed PMP said, "Through this process I have saved my stock walking 1200 km per year."

Considering a beast needs around 2 megajoules of energy to walk 1 kilometre, this gain in energy is significant – the energy lost through animals walking too far to water has a direct impact on weight gain in sale stock, breeder weights at joining and conception rates.

So when talking about PMP, it's not just talking about the concepts – it's getting down to actions – asking, "what do we need to change, how are we going to change it, how do we remove the roadblocks and how do we fund the cost of change".

The DU process not only delivers the tools to implement PMP, it also delivers one-on-one support and mentoring to assist with the implementation phase and provides an ongoing review to refine the plan and ensure that outcomes are achieved on the ground.

DU is well recognised as being one of the star performers in terms of achieving on ground action and is keen to support the implementation of PMP actions which will deliver sustainable businesses and healthy landscapes.

Future workshop dates are, 2 April on 'Cavendish', Jericho, and 23 April on 'Bunuro', Torrens Creek.

For more information or to register to attend please contact Rowan McKay on 4761 5169, 0428 511 060.

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Forestry a feasible income option for CQ landholders

Harvesting trees for forest products is an untapped market for landholders in the Central Queensland region, according to Reg Connolly.

Mr Connolly, forest management project officer with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), said many landholders were missing out on a potential lucrative income stream from forestry.

"Many landholders are put off by perceived difficulties with regulations or they believe you can't harvest or thin trees since broadscale clearing laws were introduced," Mr Connolly said.

"Establishing a forestry practice requires some planning, but if timber is managed in a sustainable way there will be continued product to harvest and profits to be made."

Mr Connolly's role with the DPI&F is funded by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) to provide information and technical support to landholders about sustainable farm forestry practices and marketing timber.

"Landholders can legally thin timber on freehold land under the Department of Natural Resources and Water Code of Practice if it's done in a sustainable way," he said.

Mr Connolly recently developed a range of fact sheets that landholders can order by phoning 4999 2800 or download from the FBA website.

Technical manager with the FBA, Gavin Peck, said that sustainable forestry practice ensured areas could be managed for the future and biodiversity protected.

"FBA and its sub-regional groups support increased awareness of sustainable forestry by funding Mr Connolly's role and working closely with the Central Queensland Forest Association," Mr Peck said.

"Improved awareness of sustainable farm forestry is an important aspect of promoting sustainable land management across the Fitzroy Basin."

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Tests to reveal age of underground water

Groundwater supplies in the Condamine River catchment will be tested for age to determine flow paths and how quickly rainfall reaches underground aquifers.

In the midst of ongoing debate about alternative water supplies for Toowoomba and surrounding centres, the Condamine Alliance is providing $50 000 towards a study by the Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) that will use a combination of isotope dating and ionic chemistry to enhance catchment recharge understanding to improve future calculations of water availability.

If this study were to reveal that the most accessible groundwater supplies are hundreds of years old, for example, the results would bring into question plans for groundwater to be a mainstay of the region’s water supply, simply because of the delay between rainfall and aquifer recharge.

The study, to be completed by June next year, includes funding for water sampling and isotope dating analysis by the CSIRO of alluvial and bedrock groundwater (12 samples); and core drilling, sampling, chemical and isotope analyses through alluvium at selected sites to improve knowledge of groundwater recharge processes and rates (mainly deep drainage) at 3-5 sites to depths in the range 20–50 metres.

Condamine Alliance science and evaluation officer Lucy Richardson said the project formed part of a broader scope of work associated with management of groundwater resources of the Central Condamine Alluvium, the region encompassing Pratten and Victoria Hill downstream to Chinchilla.

The dating of groundwater is highly desirable as part of groundwater chemistry and quality assessment and to identify possible source input waters associated with water quality changes.

Dating also assists in recharge process assessment including potential concentrating or impairment sources. The isotope sampling and dating work also provides key data to assess surface-groundwater interaction and conceptualisation of the groundwater system.

The role of deep drainage (rainfall, overland flow, stored water, recirculation of applied water) in the overall recharge and water balance of the system requires more detailed work to be better understood and quantified.

These project elements will be implemented and managed by NRW. All elements are considered a high priority to provide key data on the groundwater system to support improved management.

For the full story visit the Condamine Alliance website, or for more information contact Lucy Richardson at the Alliance on 4620 0115.

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From cane farm to the cattle station

By Terry Butts

Cattle cockie cum diesel fitter Steve Musson calls it a reverse sea change - "and the best thing I've ever done."

Steve sold his cane farm and engineering business at Gargett, a tiny township in the rich Pioneer Valley of Mackay, and bought a tired old cattle station at Barcaldine eight years ago.

"I just love the wide open spaces and after dealing with the public in the Gargett engineering business for 22 years, my wife and I decided it was time," he said.

Problem initially was that the 34 000 acre Lochnagar Station - the place the Mussons now call home - didn’t have a lot of stock, funds were tight, and there was lot of disrepair, not only on the old 1930 vintage two storey homestead but the fences and water holes were in desperate need of attention as well.

Two things happened. To boost the bank balance to buy more stock, Steve took a job with a drilling company and works seven days on and seven days off. The work is 370 kilometres away at Blackwater- but because of a love of the wide open spaces Steve reckons he doesn't mind the drive either. That helps.

Two years ago the Desert Uplands Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee (DU), in conjunction with the Townsville-based Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, began a program titled Landscape Linkages. It was designed to encourage land managers to revert to natural vegetation and to protect wildlife by way of establishing corridors on properties in that region.

Steve Musson saw an advantage and designated 11 000 acres of his drought affected country to the project.

Last week, in Barcaldine, Landscape Linkages project won an award for excellence at a dinner hosted by Desert Channels Queensland.

According to DU project officer, Andrea Lingard, Steve’s Lochnagar Station was the best of all participants.

"We ended with a 40 per cent grass cover. The paddock is looking really good and I also had the time and opportunity to do some work on the water and fencing. The spell has done wonders and in another year or so we will be ready to re stock," she said.

"Things really couldn't be looking better," said the man who did a reverse sea change after a lifetime near the coast and headed way out west"…from the cane farm to the cattle station.

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Water monitoring lessons well learnt in Eulo

Students from Eulo, Wyandra and Yowah schools recently got together for a practical lesson in water monitoring at the Paroo River near Eulo.

Staff from South West NRM joined the students and explored some mud and mound springs on Bundoona before getting stuck in to some hands-on educational fun.

South West NRM's Cunnamulla district project coordinator Rhiannon Hindmarch said the students had a great time.

"The kids were really fascinated with it all, I think they really liked getting out in the field and learning, seeing the springs and getting a bit of hands-on time when water monitoring," she said. "We were really happy to be able to give the kids that time out and about."

Water monitoring involves testing waterways for salinity, pH levels and biodiversity.

"Seeing all the macro-invertebrates that are found in the river was a fascinating exercise for the kids. And it's good to know that the Paroo has a pretty healthy pH level of 6.9," Ms Hindmarch said.

The students ended the day with a hearty sausage sizzle at Eulo State School.

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Better Earth begins in Bowen

Six overseas members of the Better Earth team will join forces with local members of the Burdekin Coastcare group this weekend to wipe out the dreaded Singapore Daisy and replace an old wooden sand ladder with plastic bollards at Alva Beach.

The Better Earth team has just completed a week in Bowen, where in conjunction with local Coastcare groups and with funding from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM they repaired native vegetation and removed six foot high guinea grass from around the public areas of Queen's Beach.

Better Earth is an award winning program that has been managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) since 1982. Each year its volunteers plant more than a million trees, collect 1000 tons of native seed for revegetation and reforestation projects and build more than 300 kilometers of walking tracks and boardwalks.

CVA provides a qualified team leader for the volunteers for each project that includes biodiversity, carbon offset and wetland health, among others.

In Bowen, over the Easter weekend, Mayor Mike Bunker hosted a barbecue for the volunteers and praised their efforts to bring the main swimming beach back to its former beauty after the heavy and damaging rains.

At Alva Beach, the volunteers will be accommodated by the local lifesavers, and apart from attacking the Singapore Daisy, they will be involved in the removal of unsafe fencing at the beach access and rubbish removal. This project is also funded by Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM.

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Dalby demonstrates its reach

Dalby is to have its own "demonstration reach", a model section of a river or creek system that has been rehabilitated both "inside and out". 

Condamine Alliance announced plans to develop the model reach at Dalby to improve conditions in Myall Creek and, at the same time, increase understanding and awareness of the attributes of a healthy river system, said project manager Francine Holt.

Mrs Holt said the population of native fish is like a "thermometer reading" of the health of a river and the prognosis is grim in many parts of the catchment, from Killarney to the west of Chinchilla.

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission Native Fish Strategy developed the concept of a demonstration reach to showcase best-practice processes to address a range of environmental issues important to our river systems and their native inhabitants.

"Generally speaking, those attributes that provide positive outcomes for our native fish also generate a range of ecological benefits," Mrs Holt said.

European settlement has placed enormous pressure on native fish populations, to the point where they are now estimated at less than 10 percent of pre-European levels. Species under pressure include the iconic Murray cod as well as golden and silver perch. 

At the same time, introduced pest species like European carp and tilapia have experienced population explosions. They are more resilient on the whole and have the ability to flourish in degraded river systems. Fortunately tilapia have not yet made their way into the Murray-Darling Basin, however, they are considered a major threat that would be virtually impossible to eradicate if they found their way into the system. 

"Practice change is required to restore the balance of power to native species," Mrs Holt said.

The Dalby Demonstration Reach will showcase rehabilitation and protection practices for a suite of priority issues for this location.

For more information contact Fran Holt at Condamine Alliance on 4620 0117.

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Field day aims to get smart with water

Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ), a project partner with the Desert Knowledge CRC's, WaterSmart™ pastoral production project, is very excited to be a part of next Friday's Stock Water Management Technologies Field Day at NAPCO's Monkira Station. 

Monkira Station is situated approximately 250 km west of Windorah on the Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland's Channel Country.

A remote water management system has recently been installed on Monkira Station, eliminating the need to make regular physical checks.  Waters can be monitored from an office computer, leaks can be identified and potential problems dealt with before they cause trouble. 

Manager, Anthony Desreaux will be opening Monkira Station to other graziers, suppliers and manufacturers, allowing them to view and discuss technologies.

DCQ will be present at the field day with five of its on-ground staff helping out and promoting DCQ's work.

For more information about the field day on 4 April, email Colleen James at DCQ or visit the Desert Knowledge CRC website.

For more information on the work of DCQ, call 4658 0600.

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Government updates
Entries close soon for Queensland Environmental awards

Time is running out for Queensland businesses to be recognised for their environmental innovation and sustainable business practices.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, earlier this week reminded businesses that entries into the Queensland Government's EPA Sustainable Industries Awards close on 14 April 2008.

"These awards highlight the innovation of businesses that have adopted sustainable practices," Mr McNamara said.

"Last year's awards demonstrated how Queensland businesses are leading the way by using less energy, water and by recycling to reduce their environmental impact.

"Businesses have also found that sustainable practices lead to improving their bottom line.

"Consumers are increasingly happy to go green, and an award like this gives your business reputation a great boost," Mr McNamara said.

The awards are being hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will be presented in the following categories:

Entries are sought from Queensland businesses, individuals, community and not-for-profit organisations and local or state government.

For more information visit the EPA website or contact EPA Marketing on 3225 1999.

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Successful MBI capacity building workshop

Policy and NRM group experts in market-based instruments (MBIs) gathered at the Brisbane's Power House last week to work together to help develop a training package and a set of online tools on the use of MBIs. 

The training package will help regional groups and government staff to determine if market-based instruments are an appropriate tool to use for designing on-ground project delivery and, if so, which tools might be the most appropriate in different circumstances.

The products are being developed as part of the Market Based Instruments Capacity Building Program, which is being promoted under the banner of 'Designer Carrots'.

The workshop participants were from around Australia, and are active in the application of MBIs. Their input into and support for the new products will help to ensure they form a valuable basis for gaining knowledge for all regional groups and government officers wanting to get involved in MBIs.

The group vigorously tested the structure, content and delivery of the draft materials, to help the product developers ensure that the materials will be accessible, useful tools for end users, primarily regional NRM groups and government policymakers, and also others involved in NRM.

MBIs are policy tools that encourage behavioural change through market signals rather than through explicit directives. There are a range of types of market-based instruments including trading schemes, offset schemes, subsidies and grants, accreditation systems, stewardship payments, taxes and tax concessions.

The training package will be made available to regional groups and government staff through 18 workshops to be conducted around the nation, beginning in May 2008.

The training modules, online tools and the other MBI Capacity Building products will also be made available on the soon to be launched Designer Carrots website, from April 2008.

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CQ nature refuges protect endangered habitat

Five areas of land within Central Queensland are included among seventeen new nature refuges totalling almost 6 000 hectares declared throughout Queensland.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said these latest additions bring to more than 550 000 hectares the amount of land protected by nature refuges around the state.

"Protecting the biodiversity of our state is a shared responsibility, and I congratulate the landholders involved for their willingness to partner with the State Government in this important initiative," Mr McNamara said.

"The Nature Refuge Program provides financial assistance for landholders who actively manage the natural and/ or cultural assets of their properties."

Among the new nature refuges for Central Queensland are:

"The owners of these properties know they are in special parts of Queensland and it is great to see them joining the Nature Refuge Program," Mr McNamara said.

"It goes to prove that individuals really do have the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values that they manage everyday," he said.

"I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation in Queensland by entering into a nature refuge agreement," Mr McNamara said.

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Queensland's turtles face human threats

Thirteen turtles rehabilitated at the Sea World Turtle Hospital were released in Moreton Bay on Wednesday.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, joined Sea World staff on their Research and Rescue vessel to return the turtles to their natural habitat.

"It is important that we create greater public awareness of the plight of our turtles," Mr McNamara said.

Green turtles were commercially harvested until 1950, and it is only now that numbers in Moreton Bay are recovering. However, they still face threats caused mainly by humans.

Of the thirteen turtles released, one was the victim of boat strike, one was injured in fishing gear entanglement and the remainder were the victims of diseases which included ingestion of debris such as plastics.

"If it wasn't for the rehabilitation program they would be dead, but if it wasn't for man-made problems they wouldn't have been injured in this way," Mr McNamara said.

"Moreton Bay is one of the few major feeding areas for green and loggerhead turtles in eastern Australia but it is next to a major human population centre, and we are having an impact on their survival," he said.

"To ensure the survival of marine life like the loggerhead and green turtle we need to protect the fragile environment of the bay.

"The State Government is currently assessing submissions to the Moreton Bay Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan which aims to ensure the resilience and longevity of this great marine environment.

"The plan calls for the expansion of green zones and an increase in 'go slow' areas which will help in the conservation of these vulnerable creatures.

"The turtle population in Moreton Bay is so fragile that the loss of just a small number of adults per year will impede their recovery and put their survival at great risk," Mr McNamara said.

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Fish think tanks to seek recreational view

Are you a recreational fisher? If so, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DP&F) wants to hear from you.

DPI&F is holding a series of think tanks throughout Queensland in April to discuss how to communicate more effectively with recreational fishers.

The focus groups will discuss what sort of information recreational fishers want and where they access it. For example, how often they check fishing rules and where they go to find this information, do they use the internet, fishing guides or bait and tackle shops?

DPI&F wants to attract a cross section of the community, particularly those who fish for fun but do not have the level of knowledge that avid recreational fishers have. This research will help to refine and refocus communication tools and practices and ensure information gets to all members of the recreational fishing community, not just those 'in the know'.

An online survey has also been developed to value-add to the feedback from the think tanks. Visit the DPI&F website to complete an online survey.

To book a place at a think tank, RSVP by 5pm 4 April by phoning DPI&F on 3239 0100 with your details and what session you would like to attend. Light refreshments will be served and each participant will receive a thank you pack.

View the full media release for a list of think tank dates and locations.

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Easter water 'gift' to boost Narran Lakes environment

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission bought 11 000 megalitres of water over the Easter weekend to boost the natural watering occurring at the Narran Lakes system in north central New South Wales.

Chief executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the one-off purchase would boost environmental benefits for the flora and fauna in the internationally important Ramsar wetland site.

"We moved quickly to take advantage of nature's window of opportunity to supplement recent natural flows into the area," Dr Craik said.

"We are pleased to have reached a commercial arrangement with a seller to secure the water which began to flow on Easter Saturday and will continue to be delivered over the next six weeks," she said.

"The water will bring strong environmental benefits and we hope it will ensure the success of a colonial water bird breeding event that is happening there now - the first major breeding event in Narran Lakes in nine years," Dr Craik said.

Dr Craik said the water was being drawn from off-river storages on the Narran system and was water which was being returned to the river. It is passing through an automated gauging station which could accurately and continuously monitor the transfer.

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Queenslanders unplug for the day

This year Thursday 3 April is Queensland Unplugged Day, a chance to highlight the importance of turning off standby power.

Turning off non-essential appliances that aren't in use at the wall, reduces energy consumption. Standby power accounts for 4 per cent of a typical power bill.

It might not sound like much, but if every household in Queensland turns off unnecessary standby power it will equate to taking 130 000 cars off the road, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. In dollar terms, that represents a saving of more than $74 million a year.

Turning off standby power also means less energy consumption from power stations that rely on fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases.

Queensland Unplugged Day is the next ‘call to action’ in the ClimateSmart Living campaign, which encourages Queenslanders to make small changes to reduce their energy use, save money on power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The campaign encourages people to have correct tyre pressure, invest in energy saving light bulbs, and set their fridges to four degrees. More than 75 000 Queenslanders have pledged to make changes to help the environment as a result of this campaign.

You can take the pledge to make a difference for Queensland Unplugged Day at the ClimateSmart Living website.

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Reef updates
Coral check can show clearer climate change picture

An Australian researcher says climate change could be measured on a daily basis, not just in the long term, by monitoring changes in coral.

Geoscientist with Brisbane's Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Luke Nothdurft said coral was a good indicator of changes in water temperature over time and the rate of global warming.

But conventional measurement techniques studied coral in a similar way to a tree being examined for annual growth rings, and this could lead to inaccuracies, Mr Nothdurft said.

A single colony of coral could grow for several hundred years, recording changes in concentrations of trace elements as sea temperatures rose and fell, he said.

Over the past five years, Mr Nothdurft has examined through a high-powered electron microscope coral samples from four common species found at Heron Island, in the southern Great Barrier Reef.

"The coral skeleton is much more complicated than the annual tree rings-type scenario that people have applied in the past," Mr Nothdurft said.

"With the techniques we are using, you can get down to daily resolution."

"In a complicated coral skeleton, different parts are growing at different times.

"If you look at two spots right next to each other, they might not necessarily be within a similar time frame that you are analysing."

Mr Nothdurft also discovered that minerals deposited from seawater and by organisms living within abandoned parts of coral skeletons could also mislead scientists.

The secondary minerals in the coral skeleton cavities could contaminate samples with chemicals which did not reflect the local seawater environment, he said.

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Coral's addiction to 'junk food'

Over two hundred million humans depend for their subsistence on the fact that coral has an addiction to 'junk food', and orders its partners, the symbiotic algae, to make it.

This curious arrangement is one of nature’s most delicate and complex partnerships – a collaboration now facing grave threats from climate change.

The symbiosis between coral and zooxanthellae, tiny one-celled plants, is not only powerful enough to build the largest living organism on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef, but also underpins the economies and living standards of many tropical nations and societies who harvest their food from the reefs or have developing tourism industries.

The issue of whether the partnership is robust enough to withstand the challenges of climate change is driving a worldwide scientific effort to decipher how corals and their symbiotic algae communicate with one another, says Professor David Yellowlees of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University.

The challenge for scientists is to understand the ‘chemical conversation’ that goes on between the corals and zooxanthellae, the genes which control it – and to explore whether corals which lose their primary partners can survive using other algae or must inevitably die.

Researchers in the Centre of Excellence are trying to understand the chemical and genetic basis for the conversation that goes on between a coral and its particular algae, and to establish whether, if it loses its algae in a bleaching event, it can establish the same relationship with a different strain of algae.

In other words, how robust this symbiotic system is and whether it can withstand shocks from warming, ocean acidification, changes in sunlight levels and other likely impacts from human activity.

The bottom line here is the survival of the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs the world over.

Read the full media release on the CRC website.

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Wetlands updates
US singing sensation supports WetlandCare Australia

WetlandCare Australia (WCA) stepped into the spotlight earlier this month thanks to the support and sponsorship of singing legend Jack Johnson during his Australian tour.

The Jack Johnson tour collaborated with hand-chosen local and national non-profit groups around the world in the realms of climate change, water quality, land preservation, environmental education, just to name a few.

WCA was the lucky recipient of 10 tickets to each of Jack's Sydney, Brisbane and Wollongong shows, which were able to be used as fundraising tools, and as encouragement to volunteers.

Not only were they able to raise funds for wetland projects, but WCA also raised awareness throughout local communities by manning a stall in the 'Village Green' at three of Jack's shows. It is here that the not for profit organisations showcased their great work and gained more support through new memberships.

On top of this, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation matched every dollar WCA raised through donations made at the concert, or directly to WCA.

WetlandCare Australia is a national not for profit organisation, dedicated to achieving healthy wetlands for healthy communities.

To find out more about WCA's great work, log onto to its website, and to find out more about making a positive change in your local and world community, log onto Jack Johnson's website or contact Nicci Carter at WetlandCare Australia on 02 6681 6069.

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Natural resources news
Grasstree Beach gets a beauty treatment

Grasstree Beach is to get a beach 'makeover', thanks to Grasstree Beach Progress Association's successful funding application to Envirofund’s 'Coastal & Marine' grants from the Australian Government.

The project will protect and enhance the environmental and recreational values of the esplanade area and improve the overall health of the dunal system.  Grasstree Beach Progress Association is working in partnership with Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association (SLCMA), Sarina Shire Council & Grasstree Beach residents to implement the project.

President of the Grasstree Beach Progress Association, Trevor Howland said, "The funding will go towards the installation of bollards to exclude vehicles from the esplanade area, the removal of selected coconut palms and planting of native 'shade' trees".

There will be plenty of opportunity for Grasstree Beach residents to be involved in the project from painting of bollards, planting days, community workshops and coastal monitoring.

SLCMA coordinator, Saskia von Fahland said, "We will be organizing a hands-on community workshop focusing on best management practices for coastal zones covering topics such as weeds, native plants, coastal processes as well as coastal monitoring".

Mrs von Fahland said, "Bollarding will begin this week with the assistance of the Conservation Volunteers Australia volunteer team under the guidance of the Sarina Shire Council Beach team".

This project compliments onground activities being delivered through the Sarina Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project. A strategic three year project aimed to enhance and improve the coastal zones within the Sarina Shire.

If you would like to know more about Grasstree Beach Envirofund project or would like to be involved, please contact Trevor Howland on 4956 6566 or Saskia von Fahland on 4956 1388.

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Get your pest facts straight online

An exotic pests fact sheet for quick grower reference is now available for download from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRCD) website.

Developed by Plant Health Australia and the GRDC as part of the National Grains Industry On-Farm Biosecurity Program, it describes eight exotic pests considered to represent medium, high or extreme risk to the Australian grains industry.

Each pest profile includes a photograph, risk category, its likely impact on the grains industry if it becomes established, and a description of key features to help identify and control it.

Keith Devenish, National Grains Industry biosecurity officer who developed the fact sheet, said Australian growers need to be vigilant and report sightings of suspected exotic pests to their local Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries office or contact the exotic plant pest hotline on freecall 1800 084 881.

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Darwin to host international indigenous climate change meeting

From 2 - 4 April, the United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies in conjunction with the Secretariat of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), will convene an international expert group meeting on indigenous peoples and climate change in Darwin.

Relevant themes for the meeting include:

The meeting aims to be a forum for the exchange of information on the effects of climate change, to draw attention to the impact of climate change on indigenous peoples and to identify options for the future.

For more information on the meeting visit the NAILSMA website.

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AgForward workshop update

The AgForward team present a range of workshops to landholders, including GPS essentials, computer mapping, vegetation management, and AgForest's native forest field days.

Between March and June this year AgForward will conduct around 107 workshops throughout Queensland. Upcoming workshops include:

More information on these workshops can be found on the AgForward website (under 'Workshops').

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Get a job in NRM!

Are you interested in working with Queensland's regional natural resource management bodies? Then head to the Regional Groups' Collective website where current job opportunities are now available. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!

Here's a sample of what's on offer:

Regional body: South West NRM

Title: District Project Coordinator

Tenure: Full Time, 12 months from 1 July 2008, with possibility of extension

Location: Based within Cunnamulla Shire

Closing date: 24 April 2008

The purpose of the position is to:

For further information contact South West NRM's programs manager on 4654 7382 or visit the South West NRM website

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Thought for the week

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

John F. Kennedy

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The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Community Partnerships, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.

Last updated 22 January 2009

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