Photo: Landcare volunteers enjoying morning tea in the 'fig tree cafe'.

On a Tuesday morning, NQCC joined volunteers of Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare for a working bee at the slopes of Castle Hill. While we did some necessary watering and weeding, we enjoyed the view of a variety of natives thriving along the sun- bathed granite, as well as the diverse chatter of birds in the treetops. There was plenty to discover such as a bowerbird’s bower hidden in the shrubs right next to the track. With the work of the Landcare volunteers, the restoration of this beautiful hillside environment has formed homes for native wildlife like the bush turkeys, bower birds, echidnas, and wallabies.

We’re thrilled to share that this year’s Garage Sale Community Fundraiser has already raised $3,400 – and counting! This event is always a favourite in our calendar, and it’s easy to see why. It brings together generosity, good vibes, and a love for secondhand treasures – all while raising funds for a good cause.

What started as a chilly morning turned into a bright, beautiful day at Our Townsville, and we were so glad to be a part of it!

Our stall was buzzing from the start – with long lines for face painting and plenty of families stopping by to grab our Nature Scavenger Hunt cards. It was a joy to watch kids and adults alike getting curious about the natural world around them, whether it was spotting birds, leaves, or bugs.

We all know that climate change is making Townsville's heatwaves worse - longer, hotter and more frequent than ever before. So, what can we do about it? How will our community adapt to ensure that no one is left behind in these silent natural disasters? We joined forces with Sweltering Cities, Once Upon Tomorrow and the Queensland Community Alliance to find out.

In celebration of World Environment Day (June 5), NQCC had the joy of visiting the Upper Ross Community Centre’s playgroup to share the fascinating world of pollinators with some very curious young minds.

This wonderful playgroup regularly explores nature and environmental themes with families, and we were thrilled to be invited to talk about bees, bugs and the important role they play in keeping our gardens and ecosystems healthy.

This week, we gathered with our community for a very special Members’ Event - a night filled with meaningful conversations, campaign reflections, exciting announcements, and plenty of good food and laughter. At NQCC, we know that our strength lies in connection, and this evening was a beautiful reminder of that.

There's always plenty to be angry about these days. Whether it's the Australian Government approving new gas expansions, or the Queensland Government cutting funding for environmental legal services, it seems that any faith in governments to make the world a better place may be mislaid right now.

Luckily, we know that a lot of great things can also happen at the grassroots. That's what Paperbark is all about!

Despite a rainy day, the skies cleared just in time for a very special edition of Green Drinks by the Sea - and something was truly in the air. We were thrilled to welcome many new faces, alongside familiar friends we hadn’t seen for a while. It’s clear: our movement is growing.

This month, we were joined by two outstanding local champions for the ocean: Dr. Adam Smith and Jacinta Jefferies, representing both Reef Ecologic and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). From marine science to underwater sculptures, their work beautifully connects community, creativity, and conservation.

Celebrating Our Volunteers with a Walk on the Wild Side

What better way to celebrate our amazing volunteers during National Volunteer Week than by connecting with some of Townsville’s beautiful urban green spaces along the Ross River?

We kicked off the day with some delicious treats and great conversations about the latest local sustainability initiatives. Then we were joined by Townsville City Council’s Water Educator, Annmarie, for a guided walk along the Booroona Trail - or "Snake Trail" in the Bindal language.

Pictured: Representatives from nine Regional Conservation Councils attended the May 2025 Queensland Ministerial Environment Roundtable in Meanjin/Brisbane.

Coordinator Crystal Falknau represented NQCC at the first Environment Roundtables of 2025, including the first Ministerial Roundtable under the newly-elected Crisafulli Government.