Feeling a little overwhelmed by the state of the world right now? We have an antidote!
Here at NQCC, we've been busy bringing people together and keeping things light with future-focused campaigns, hands-on actions and walks on Country.
As we head into April, we also kick off fundraising season! As EOFY approaches, we're pushing to raise as much money as we can to fund our work - and there are SO MANY ways you can help!
Whether you're cleaning out to donate to our Garage Sale, recycling your containers with us or making a one-off or monthly contribution, it all adds up!
Importantly, it's not too late to sign up to our Love Where You Live fundraising challenge! If you're not game, make sure you chip in to help our fundraisers reach their targets (particularly me, because I want to win... ).
Enjoy the read, and if you love the work, please help fund it into the future! Thanks for all you do.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Upcoming Events
- Strand Night Market
- Green Drinks with EarthWatch
- Members' Event
- Take Action
- Love Where You Live
- Garage Sale Donations
- Extreme Heat Petition
- NQCC Updates
- Climate Safety Plan
- Walk on Country
- Volunteer Welcome Night
- Margaret's Memorial
- Honouring Jenny Sebba
- Tree Planting at Mundy Creek
- Other Stuff
- Saltmarsh Surveys
- Yellow Crazy Ants Stall
- Webinar: Climate Data
- Further Reading
- Whose land?
- Australia's Environment Report
- Like lighting a cigarette while trying to quit
- Response to flying fox shooting petition
UPCOMING EVENTS
Extreme Heat Market
NQCC has been campaigning hard on heat hazards and the urgent need for more green spaces in our communities.
Join us as a volunteer at the Strand Night Market for friendly conversations and to collect signatures for our parliamentary petition. Short shifts available.
When: 4-10pm Friday 10 April
Where: Strand Park
| LEND A HAND |
Green Drinks
Our guest speaker is Lucía Caldas Durán, Program Manager (Wetlands, Coastal & Marine Environments) at EarthWatch.
Lucía will share insights into upcoming projects in Townsville, including saltmarsh surveys and community-led coastal stewardship initiatives.
Newcomers Welcome!
When: 6-8pm Wed 15 April
Where: Commonwealth Hotel, South Townsville
| COME TO GREEN DRINKS |
Members' Event
Join us for our first Members' Event this year! It is a great opportunity to get updates and meet fellow supporters.
And there will be free pizza, fresh from the wood fire oven...
Arrive from 5.30pm to grab a drink before the meeting starts at 6pm.
Not a member yet? You're welcome to come along as a guest - or join the NQCC community.
Where: NQCC office, 114 Boundary St Railway Estate
| RSVP |
TAKE ACTION
Love Where You Live
Love Where You Live is underway, with 11 champions already signed up - but there’s plenty of room for more!
Join the fun with our Nature Bingo challenge, take simple actions for nature, and turn them into real impact. Ask you family and friends to sponsor you and make your actions count twice!
Check out below who’s in the race and how you can get involved — it’s not too late to sign up!
When: Sat 28 March - Thur 30 April
| SIGN UP & START FUNDRAISING! |
Garage Sale!
Our amazing volunteers are already gearing up for NQCC’s third annual community garage sale this May, and donations are now officially open!
Got something you no longer need but don’t want to see go to waste? Give it a second life and support a great cause.
Donations can be dropped off at our office during business hours on the verandah, or left safely under the building after hours. We’re looking for clean, resalable or reusable items - if you’re unsure, feel free to reach out and ask.
Save the date: last weekend in May!
| LEARN MORE |
Heat as a Natural Hazard
Over 1100 people have signed already! Queensland's regional conservation councils have lodged a parliamentary petition calling on the Queensland Government to modernise the State Planning Policy to include heat as a natural hazard. Please add your name to our petition!
We are also listening to local stories to better understand the impacts of extreme heat on North Queenslanders. You can help by sharing your story on our campaign webpage.
Thank you to everyone who has signed on already!
| SIGN THE PARLIAMENTARY PETITION |
NQCC UPDATES
Climate Safety Plan
NQCC recently joined the Renew Australia for All campaign at Parliament House, alongside delegates from across the country, to call for stronger investment in climate resilience ahead of the federal budget.
Together, we met with MPs and advisors to advocate for practical solutions like lowering energy bills for renters, protecting communities from climate disasters, and climate-proofing our health system - funded by fair tax reform that puts the burden on fossil fuel companies, not everyday people.
| READ MORE |
Walks on Country
This month we were delighted to offer opportunities for two small groups to walk on Country at Garabarra (Kissing Point) with Uncle Russell Butler.
Through story-telling and hands-on demonstrations, Uncle Russell shone a light on the deep cultural significance of the area. The experience was both humbling and enlightening, and we are excited to carry our First Nations partnerships forward.
| READ MORE |
Welcome Volunteers!
Our recent Volunteer Welcome Night was a great reminder of the power of community, bringing together new and familiar faces passionate about protecting North Queensland. We explored the many ways to get involved - from hands-on activities to advocacy and how NQCC supports this work.
A special thank you to our long-term volunteers, who make these spaces welcoming and help new people feel right at home. With so many ways to get involved, there’s truly a place for everyone to be part of the action.
| VOLUNTEER WITH US |
Margaret's Memorial
Thank you to everyone who joined us to remember Margaret Moorhouse. We shared memories and watched the moving memorial service together, hearing heartfelt reflections from family and friends, as well as former NQCC Coordinator Tarquin Moon.
We’ve also received many beautiful messages honouring Margaret’s extraordinary life and her lasting contribution to conservation. Thank you, Margaret - you will be deeply missed.
Honouring Jenny
We’re pleased to share that Jenny Sebba, a valued NQCC life member, will be honoured with a memorial in Anderson Gardens - a place she loved deeply and that reflects her lifelong commitment to local biodiversity and conservation.
We’re grateful to have been part of her journey, and we extend our sincere thanks to North Queensland Wildlife Care for putting forward this tribute and helping ensure Jenny’s legacy is remembered.
Tree Planting at Mundy Creek
On Saturday afternoon, we kick-started our Love Where You Live fundraiser with some tree planting at the Mundy Creek Landcare site!
123 trees were planted, watered, fed and mulched by an enthusiastic crew of volunteers - what an effort!
We're excited to uplift the work of local groups like Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare (CDTLI). If you're thinking of trying something new, sign up to our fundraiser and connect with CDTLI for opportunities to get your hands dirty!
OTHER STUFF
Join a Survey
Join MangroveWatch as they kick off their 2026 Saltmarsh Monitoring season! It’s a fantastic chance to explore unique saltmarsh habitats & contribute real data to the Saltmarsh Dashboard. No experience is needed - just bring sturdy shoes, water, and a willingness to get a little muddy.
To sign up, message Lucia Caldas Duran at [email protected].
Dates:
Thurs 23 April at Railway Estate
Fri 24 April at Bushland Beach
Yellow Crazy Ants
Yellow crazy ants (YCA) are an invasive species and a real danger to our environment and wildlife!
Visit the Council’s yellow crazy ants information stall to learn more. The team will provide identification tools, maps of current infestations, and advice on how you can help protect the environment. This is suitable for all ages, and it’s a great chance to ask questions and meet the experts.
What: Information Stall
When: 8-11am Sat 18 April
Where: Palmetum, University Road
Douglas
Climate Scenarios
Join the NESP Climate Systems Hub for a webinar exploring Australia’s future climate. Researchers will discuss uncertainties in current projections, real-world Pacific Ocean warming, and global temperature overshoot scenarios - offering insights to help decision-makers plan for a range of possible futures. Equip yourself with the latest thinking on climate risks and resilience.
What: Free Webinar
When: 12-1pm Thur 23 April
Where: Online
| RSVP FOR THE LINK |
FURTHER READING
Whose land? Invasion and sovereignty
Malcolm Tattersall
| READ |
Australia's Environment Report
Australian National University & TERN
| READ |
New coal seam gas expansion
The Guardian
| READ |
Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell responds to Parliamentary Petition regarding the continuation of permits to shoot flying foxes.
| READ |
Did You Know...?
It has never been easier to leave NQCC a gift in your will. This simple step can be undertaken any time, and will give you peace of mind that your passion for conserving nature will be a part of your legacy.
Even a small gift can be transformational for an organisation like ours. Learn more on our website, and reach out if you'd like to chat.
| LEARN MORE |
Do you have something you'd like to see in our next edition of Paperbark? Reply to this email with all the details!
We work on the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples, and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all North Queensland nations. First Nations sovereignty was never ceded. North Queensland always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
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