On a sunny but windy Saturday afternoon, we joined other local organisations, businesses, and council initiatives at Strand Park for the second Healthy Waters Arvo - a community event celebrating efforts to protect and restore water health across our region.

The weather last Wednesday at JCU Market Day mirrored what many students told us they were feeling — overcast, a little heavy.

We set up a large “Climate Mood” board to check in with students about how they’re feeling about the climate crisis. Since the peak of the school strikes and the disruptions of COVID, things have quietened down. We wanted to know — what’s shifted, and where are people at now?

Last week’s Green Drinks at the Commonwealth Hotel was one of those slightly warmer winter nights that made it easy to settle into good company and meaningful conversations. We were especially pleased to welcome Juanita and Sandra from Social Workers for Climate Action — a powerful alliance of social work practitioners, students, educators and researchers based at JCU, committed to recognising climate change as an environmental, social justice and human rights issue.

As I write this, I am humbled by the donations that continue to roll in for our EOFY Appeal, which this year has been doubled by a generous matched donor. At this rate, we're on track to hit our $4000 goal, which will become $8000 towards our ambitious plans for the future. I know times are tough, so if you have managed to chip in this year, please know it means the world to us!

As you'll see, June has been an exciting, fast-paced month, where volunteers have contributed more than 250 hours combined! Luna and I are so grateful to the people around us who truly bring our organisation to life. 

Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark and keep doing the great things you do for nature and your community, whatever that may be.

What does an environmentally-successful energy transition look like for North Queensland? That's the question that kicked off our third workshop in this series, at the Smart Precinct NQ.

Ten workshop participants included representatives from Townsville City Council (including Cr Brodie Phillips), the Port of Townsville, Community Gro and the Dept of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation, alongside local engineers, ecologists and university students. Read on to see what we came up with!

Pictured: Astrid (centre) with NQCC staff team Luna (left) and Crystal (right).

I am Astrid, and this week I have been with NQCC for work experience from Pimlico State High School. I have enjoyed it very much! Throughout the week I observed meetings, helped with the planning of events, preparations of workshops, writing blogs, and connecting with NQCC members like the Landcare group. I now have a better idea of the importance of maintaining and forming new relationships with stakeholders and communities.

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.