Another busy month has passed, and we are filled with gratitude for the amazing people in our community doing great things. From those who got their gloves dirty on Clean Up Australia Day, to those who swam for our rivers and those who have come together to stand up for our trees. You are what inspires us!

Some good news to come out of this month...

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon announced the 56ha expansion of Girringun National Park, to protect more habitat of the endangered Mahogany Glider. This has been a long time coming, but we are so glad this time has come!

Queensland has also announced a ban on many single-use plastics that will come into effect from September this year. Yay!

Well done to everyone whose advocacy has contributed to these decisions!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  • Clean Up Australia Day
  • Swim for Our Rivers
  • Tree Vigil for Change
• Coming Up: 
  
  • Green Drinks
  • Postcard Art Exhibition
• In Other News...
  
  • Tour de Carmichael
  • Pint of Science: Online
  • Have Your Say, Townsville

NQCC NEWS

Clean Up Australia Day

Over 50 volunteers joined us on Clean Up Australia Day this month, to collect and sort litter from Pallarenda Beach. Our data was recorded in the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) database to help prevent littering at the source. We had perfect weather and there were smiles all round. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Here is just some of what we collected that morning:

404 pieces of soft plastic
176 bottle caps
14 rubber thongs
401 cigarette butts
24 items of clothing
3.6m of rope
10 cigarette lighters
27 aluminium cans
12 plastic water bottles
13 glass bottles
410 pieces of glass
100 + pieces of metallic confetti (used in party balloons)

With this much rubbish around, we are looking forward to hosting another clean up shortly. Keep your eyes peeled!

Swim For Our Rivers Fundraiser

We are delighted to announce that our Swim for Our Rivers fundraiser has raised over $6,200! We'd love to hit $7,000 and it's not too late to donate! 

On Saturday 20 March, our fundraising teams (and spectators) attended a Pool Party, full of competitions and challenges.

The funds raised will help us to communicate the problems facing the Burdekin (and other NQ rivers) and their solutions, to those who have the power to make change.

We'd really love to thank: 

• All of our funky fundraising teams;
• Our generous sponsors (Wild Rice, Gecko Interiors and Mary Who);
• Everyone who donated; and
• Mackay Conservation Group - for their inspiration and support.

Tree Vigil and Open Letter

Two healthy, shade-giving, bird-life supporting fig trees were removed from the Garden of Remembrance in Townsville's Anzac Park on Friday 19 March, without community consultation.

The trees were deemed to have outgrown the space, with their roots becoming trip hazards. It appears no attempt was made to solve this problem using other methods. We have joined forces with a group of local Tree Advocates and other concerned locals to investigate the matter and call for better processes in future.

The tree vigil pictured above was held last Friday, to gather the community, announce our position and way forward, and attract media attention. Hear us on ABC radio (from 20:15) and see us on Win News. 

*Please note: after signing the e-petition, visit your inbox and hit the confirmation link in the email you will have been sent.

COMING UP...

Green Drinks

Green Drinks is an informal and friendly networking event for people who care for the environment.

Our April Green Drinks will see us return to The Commonwealth Hotel in South Townsville. Join us from 6pm onwards on Friday 16 April!

To receive updates about each monthly event, make sure you're on our Green Drinks mailing list or have joined the Green Drinks Townsville Facebook Group!

Artists & Volunteers Wanted!

NQCC's biennial Postcard Art fundraiser is on for 2021! On show at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts from early September, postcard-sized artworks will be auctioned off at the end of the exhibition, with all funds supporting our work here in North Queensland.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the exhibition and auction, as well as artists to donate small works of art.

This year's theme is "Nature: the wonder and the tragedy".

"To be a nature-lover has come to mean living out a tragic love story. How do we balance the overwhelming wonderment of our natural world with the heartache of its immense suffering? Conservation is key."

IN OTHER NEWS

Tour de Carmichael

Join Traditional Owner Coedie, son of Adrian Burragubba on a 5 day, 105km guided cycle tour from May 3-7 to learn about Wangan and Jagalingou culture and expose Adani’s destruction of Country.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about Wangan and Jagalingou totems and culture, connect with others taking action to stop Adani’s mega coal mine and see what’s at risk if Adani are allowed to proceed. Coedie will share his story of resistance and the significance of Wangan and Jagalingou totems including Twin Hills, the Belyando, the Carmichael river and the sacred Doongmabulla Springs.

Everyone from across Australia is invited to Wangan and Jagalingou homelands to come together and fight for the sacred springs.

'Pint of Science' Online

The annual Pint of Science festival will be held online this year, and they are currently looking for presenters, partners and volunteers. 

Pint of Science is a fun way to connect with the public and tell the rest of Australia all about the work that you do. By speaking at one of their events, you get to experiment sharing your research in new and engaging ways.

Have Your Say

We all know that community consultation is vital, but a lot of us don't usually make the time to contribute to decision-making, due to busyness or perhaps a lack of trust in the system.

We believe that we must contribute to this process if we want it to improve and if we want better things for our communities. Townsville City Council is currently inviting residents to have their say about various things, including illegal dumping, pathway construction and their plan for 2021-2026.

Do you have a story, activity or event to share with your fellow Paperbark readers? Email [email protected].

Thanks as always for your wonderful support, whatever that looks like.

Yours naturally,

Crystal, on behalf of NQCC
North Queensland Conservation Council