Photo sourced from QPWS

The rugged, mountainous Bowling Green Bay National Park on the land of the Bindal people, is set to expand by two hectares after the Queensland Government acquired three islets off the coast of Townsville.

Native animals including the white-bellied sea-eagle and black-naped tern are set to benefit.

Image source

Media Release: Queensland Conservation Council & North Queensland Conservation Council

8 March 2024

The bulldozing of a 2km-long driveway through Bowling Green National Park near Townsville is an international embarrassment for Queensland, highlighting critical problems in the state’s ability to respond to illegal clearing across the state.

Ok, so this month may not have reached the heights of excitement experienced last month, but July has still been a busy time for us. Much like a duck paddling away under water whilst floating calmly along the surface, we've been working quietly yet furiously behind the scenes. So, while we have no exciting events to reminisce upon this month, we hope you'll enjoy this rather informative edition of Paperbark, containing some important updates on some of our biggest campaigns.

Also, if you've been attempting to limit your use of plastics this month, well done! The most important step is raising awareness around how prevalent it is in our lives and how dangerous it can be for the environment. Feeling overwhelmed by the endeavour to reduce your impact? Read this article.

In this edition:

• Polystyrene balls on Magnetic Island
• "One in a Billion" - Starting Conversations
• National Parks campaign update
• Toolakea Beach Development Submission
• JCU Intern Placements at NQCC
• August Green Drinks
• AGM coming up!

We hope that you have enjoyed time with friends and family this month, and that the Easter Bilby came to visit. Need a pick-me-up after returning to the usual routine after the holidays? Enjoy this good news story about some new baby bilbies here in Townsville. May is absolutely filled with events, so make sure you keep an eye on your inbox and follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date!

In this edition:

• Hinchinbrook stall in Cardwell
• Member Event: Wednesday 1 May
• Clean Energy Rally: Wednesday 8 May 
• Green Drinks: Friday 10 May
• Candidates Forum
• Postcard Art Exhibition Opening: Friday 17 May
• Some Reminders

Well, what a month it has been up here in North Queensland! If any friends or relatives needed convincing that climate change is happening right now (and not in a few decades' time), this month should quell any doubts for sure. 

We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and getting any and all support required. It has been heartwarming to witness the acts of compassion showed during this one-in-five-hundred-year event. North Queenslanders have a long history of resilience, which will serve us well as we head further into the Anthropocene. 

Here at the office, we've been very fortunate to escape the floods with nothing more than a bit of mould, so rest assured our work continues (we just smell a bit more like vinegar and clove oil than we probably would like).

In this edition: 

• What We've Been Up To:
  • JCU O-Week Market Day
  • Tarquin's Visit to Cardwell
• Upcoming Events:
  • Green Drinks
  • Schools Strike for Climate
  • The Australia Institute Presentation 'Heatwatch'
  • Climate and Health Alliance Workshop
  • Postcard Exhibition Rescheduled (Artworks still welcome!)
• Campaign News
  • Help us Raise $3,000 to save National Parks!
  • Some Background Info
  • New Life for Your Old Hiking Boot
• Other Opportunities
  • Toilet Paper Fundraiser
  • Containers for Cash
  • Review of Queensland’s Environmental Offsets Framework
  • EcoFiesta Speakers Program

Welcome to the first edition of Paperbark for 2019! We hope you have entered the New Year with renewed passion and energy for all things conservation, just as we have! This month we just have a few brief notices to keep you up-to-date...

In this edition:

• Save Hinchinbrook Stall - Strand Night Market
• Help us reach 3,000 signatures!
• 'Defend Our Water' - Skill Up & Campaign Launch
• Postcard Art Exhibition - artworks due 31 January
• Containers for Change - how your recycling could help support us
• Green Drinks - it's back, baby!
• Loo Rolls - a quirky fundraiser that feels good
• Work for AYCC in Townsville
• Volunteers Wanted!

As the peak environmental NGO in North Queensland we collaborate with and, where possible, assist organisations and individuals working toward environmental conservation within the region.

We love working collaboratively with other groups towards shared goals, and matching volunteers to organisations working in their area of interest!

Below is a list of organisations we think you should be aware of. Links take you to their website or Facebook page. 

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Landcare/Restoration/Cleanups

Arcadia Coastcare

Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc. (CDTLI)

Lower Burdekin Landcare Association

NQ Dry Tropics 

Phil's Bush Cleanup

TIDY Up Townsville

Nature Protection

Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA)

Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld Townsville Branch

Wildlife Carers

Magnetic Island Fauna Care Organisation

Magnetic Island Network for Turtles (MINT)

Magnetic Island Wildlife Care

NQ Wildlife Care

Stonedeaf Wildlife

Climate Change

Social Workers for Climate Action (SW4CA)

Other

Plastic Free Townsville (Boomerang Alliance)

Volunteering NQ

Zero Waste Magnetic Island

STATEWIDE and NATIONAL

Clean Ups

Clean Up Australia

Tangaroa Blue Foundation

Nature Protection

Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)

Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS)

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Invasive Species Council

National Parks Association of Qld

Sea Shepherd

The Wilderness Society

Climate Change

350.org and 350 Pacific

Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) 

Beyond Zero Emissions

Climate Action Network Australia (CANA)

Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA)

Climate Council

Climate for Change

Farmers for Climate Action

Lock the Gate Alliance

School Strike for Climate (SS4C)

Seed Mob

Solar Citizens

Tipping Point

Other

Conservation Volunteers

Environmental Defenders' Office (EDO)

Queensland Conservation Council

OTHER QLD REGIONS

Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC)

Capricorn Conservation Council

Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC)

EnvA-CQ (Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland)

Gladstone Conservation Council

Gecko Environment Council (Gold Coast)

Mackay Conservation Group (MCG)

Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC)

Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council (WBBEC)

Welcome to the June edition of Paperbark. With an election approaching, there has been a flurry of activity at the NQCC office. In this issue: AMCS – membership – Election forums for Herbert and Dawson – Great Barrier Beer – Wendy’s launch party – Golf course watering – Letters to the Bulletin – Vegetation Management – Election scorecards – Cash for containers – National Parks win – Emu research