As our month-long Love Where You Live fundraiser draws to a close, I've been reflecting on just how fitting the name of that fundraiser is (nice one, Luna!).
What do I love the most about where I live?
While ticking items off my bingo card, I explored some local saltmarshes with MangroveWatch, revegetated and remediated hillsides and creek banks with Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare and learned what goes into caring for wildlife in need with NQ Wildlife Care.
It's not just our region's wonderful landscapes, ecosystems and species that make it special - it's also the everyday superheroes who come together for their protection.
This month, we've been overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the generosity of supporters donating their pre-loved items to our Garage Sale and getting behind our fundraising efforts. Our volunteer numbers are also growing - just in time for some exciting upcoming events!
There's plenty on the horizon that could use your support, so please enjoy the read and know that your actions - big or small - are appreciated.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Upcoming Events
- Green Drinks
- Climate Cafe
- Clean Up for Wildlife
- Take Action
- Extreme Heat Petition
- Gas Export Levy
- Garage Sale Donations
- Help prepare Eco Fiesta
- NQCC Updates
- Love Where You Live
- Green Drinks with Earthwatch
- Greening for Shade
- Other Stuff
- WildHaven hospital
- Saltmarsh Surveys
- Queensland Museum
- Krill Fishing Campaign
- Deep Dives: Webinar
- Further Reading
- Climate Progress Report
- Coal Breakdowns over Summer
UPCOMING EVENTS
Green Drinks May
Join us for an engaging evening with Erin Miles, community campaign organiser with the Bob Brown Foundation. Erin will share insights into the growing concern around Antarctic krill fishing - an industry supplying health supplements while placing increasing pressure on a fragile ecosystem that whales, penguins and seals depend on.
Come along to learn more, ask questions, and connect with others who care about protecting our oceans.
When: 6-8pm Wed 13 May
Where: Commonwealth Hotel South Townsville
| COME TO GREEN DRINKS |
Climate Cafe
Have you heard of Climate Cafes? Join us for a gentle, small-group conversation where there’s no pressure to act or fix. It is a supportive space to share thoughts and feelings about the climate and nature crisis - or simply listen.
Hosted by trained facilitators Priscilla Peto and Luna Prince, this outdoor gathering offers a chance to connect, reflect, and build emotional resilience together. Spaces are limited, so bookings are essential.
When: 5-6.30pm Thur 14 May
Where: Jezzine Barracks Park
| JOIN A CLIMATE CAFE |
Clean Up
Together, we’ll remove debris from vital habitats and make a real difference.
All equipment provided-just bring sun protection, enclosed shoes, and water.
When: 8-11am Sun 24 May
| JOIN THE CLEAN UP |
TAKE ACTION
Heat Petition
Imagine cooler streets, shaded public spaces, and homes designed for extreme heat. This is what Queensland's Conservation Councils are calling for.
But we need your support!
Please sign this petition before Monday 4 May.
| SIGN THE PARLIAMENTARY PETITION |
Gas Export Levy
NQCC has joined a growing coalition calling for a 25% levy on gas exports- so Queenslanders get a fair return from publicly owned resources. As communities face rising costs and climate impacts, gas companies continue to make record profits.
Add your name to support a simple, practical solution that could fund cost-of-living relief and strengthen community resilience.
Make gas companies pay their fair share!
| SIGN THE JOINT STATEMENT |
Garage Sale!
It's almost here - thank you for the incredible donations and volunteer support so far!
We’re still happily accepting items, so if you have anything to contribute, now’s the time. Donations can be dropped off at our office during business hours, or left safely under the building after hours.
We’re also looking for volunteers who can help collect donations, especially those with a trailer.
Let’s make this our best sale yet!
When: Saturday & Sunday, 30–31 May
Help Prepare
Eco Fiesta
Join our Climate Action Group as we get ready for our biggest market stall of the year at Eco Fiesta in Anderson Gardens on Sunday 7 June.
We’re planning an engaging display and interactive activities - there may even be some crafting involved! Keen to help?
Come along to our next meeting!
When: 4-5.30pm Tuesday 12 May
Where: NQCC office
NQCC UPDATES
Success!
We love where we live - and apparently, so do you! Our April fundraiser has been a huge success and, by all accounts, a lot of fun. From planting and composting to picking up rubbish, joining wildlife trainings, and declaring war on weeds-our fundraisers have gone above and beyond.
Donations are still rolling in, but we've already raised more than $5,000 together! A huge thank you to everyone who supported their champions. We can’t wait to award prizes to our top fundraisers, generously donated by Coffee Presto and Bunnings Townsville.
| WATCH THE TOTAL GROW |
Green Drinks with Earthwatch
Our latest Green Drinks brought a full house together for an inspiring evening of connection and learning - maybe it was the mangrove magic! A big thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Lucia Caldas Duran from Earthwatch for sharing her work in North Queensland.
From hands-on citizen science to the new Saltmarsh Dashboard, Lucia highlighted how community-led data can drive real environmental action.
Keen to get involved? The local saltmarsh fieldwork season has started - join a survey! Find all the dates in the link below.
| JOIN A SURVEY |
Greening For Shade
We had a great time at the Strand Night Markets, connecting with locals about how we can make Townsville cooler, greener, and more liveable. It was encouraging to hear strong community support for more trees, shade, and a long-term vision for urban greening.
A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers who helped bring the stall to life!
Read more about the conversations and our call for a Greening Strategy.
| READ MORE |
OTHER STUFF
WildHaven
In case you hadn’t heard, we’re excited to share the launch of the WildHaven North Queensland Wildlife Hospital this year - a much-needed initiative providing specialised veterinary care for native wildlife from Cape York to anywhere north of the Sunshine Coast.
North Queensland is home to extraordinary wildlife, yet every year thousands of animals are injured - often due to human impact. Many of these injuries are treatable-but too many are not, simply because dedicated care hasn’t been available.
WildHaven is a powerful step toward changing that, with a vision to grow beyond a hospital into a wildlife sanctuary that supports conservation and community education. We warmly congratulate the local directors for their leadership and commitment, and we’re proud to offer our support.
Join a Survey
Join MangroveWatch for 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].
Next Dates (10am-2pm):
Fri 8 May Bluewater
Sat 9 May Oonoonba
Mon 11 May Railway Estate
Tue 12 May Bushland Beach
Queensland Museum
How do you feel about a fossil fuel company helping shape what students learn about climate change?
The Queensland Conservation Council is calling on the Queensland Museum to end fossil fuel sponsorships, after a report revealed that funding from Shell has influenced classroom materials used across the state. These resources reportedly downplay the role of fossil fuels in driving climate change and promote industry narratives-raising serious concerns about the integrity of education in trusted public institutions, including regional branches like the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Join the call to protect the integrity of our public institutions and ensure honest climate education.
| TAKE ACTION |
Krill Fishing
You might have heard growing concerns about Antarctic krill fishing- an expanding industry supplying health supplements while placing pressure on one of the world’s most fragile marine ecosystems. Krill may be tiny, but they are the foundation of the Southern Ocean food chain, sustaining whales, seals and penguins.
This matters to us here in North Queensland too: species like humpback whales rely on Antarctic krill to fuel their long migration to our coast each year, including the Great Barrier Reef.
To get involved locally, you can connect with Erin Miles from the Bob Brown Foundation at [email protected]. or come to our Green Drinks in May.
| LEARN MORE |
Deep Dives: Webinar
From rising ocean temperatures to more intense cyclones, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is hosting a Deep Dives webinar on the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Hear from leading scientists about cutting-edge solutions already being trialled - from tackling crown-of-thorns starfish to strengthening coral resilience.
Join the conversation and explore what’s possible in protecting the Reef. Sig up with the link below.
When: 10-10.45am Thur 7 May
| JOIN THE WEBINAR |
FURTHER READING
2025 Annual Progress Report
Climate Change Authority
| READ |
Coal Breakdowns over Summer
Queensland Conservation Council, Nature Conservation Council NSW, Environment Victoria
| 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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