Big conservation news has been breaking this month, with the release of the IPCC's Synthesis Report, big changes to the Safeguard Mechanism and the strengthening of Queensland's environment laws.

While we endeavour to help you keep across all of these big stories, our work remains focussed on what can be done in our beautiful little corner of the world. 

Here, we are facing the real conflict between the clean energy rollout and biodiversity protection (brought about by poor planning and assessment processes) and gas developments continue to threaten the natural and cultural values of the Channel Country in our region's southwest. Keep reading for how you can take action on both of these issues!

We always have something planned around the corner, and this month is no different! Saturday 22 April will see us celebrate Earth Day by calling upon our State Government to push forward with an independent EPA for Queensland - we're calling it EPA Day! Pencil it in your calendar and keep an eye on your inbox for updates. 

This month we sadly say goodbye to Tiff, who has played a vital role in our organisation for almost two years. She has encouraged and supported me through the ups and downs of this work, and will be sorely missed!

Thanks as always for taking the time to read our updates. I really hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

- Crystal

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Farewell, Tiff
  • Upper Burdekin Windfarm submissions
  • Channel Country Townsville event
• In Other News
  
  • Safeguard Mechanism
  • IPCC report
  • Changes to Qld Environment Laws
• Opportunities

I have just recently returned from Meanjin Brisbane, where I was your representative at the Ministerial Environment Roundtable (MERT).

The MERT is a great opportunity to unite with conservation groups from all over Queensland to push Minister Scanlon and her department for solutions to the issues our regions are facing. I have never seen our movement so energised and powerful!

I look forward to providing more detailed feedback in future, but for now, I am preparing for two weeks of travel to reconnect with nature - it's important for us all to recharge! 

Thanks as always for supporting NQCC and our work. I really hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

- Crystal

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Welcome Madde!
  • Take Action for an Independent EPA for Qld
  • Townsville Climate Action 2023 Kick-Off
  • World Wetlands Day at Mundy Creek
  • Protect the Protest
  • Burdekin Basin Governance Seminar
  • First Nations Led Dingo Conservation
• In Other News
  
  • Safeguard Mechansim
  • Public Environment Report available for Upper Burdekin Wind Project 
• Opportunities

Attending Big Eye Theatre's Survival Day events in Gurambilbarra (Townsville) last week, we were heartened to witness a groundswell of curiosity, respect and support for local First Nations stories on 26 January.

As an organisation, we recognise that we cannot be the voice for the environment without working in partnership with our region's First Nations people, who have cared for country for millennia. This is the focus of our First Nations Partnerships Subcommittee, which aims to incorporate First Nations perspectives to our environmental advocacy in North Queensland. Please get in touch if you'd like to support this work!

It's only January, but there are already plenty of things to get involved in. We hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• Conservation News:
  
  • Dr Adam Smith recognised with Sustainability Award
  • Help keep big polluters accountable on climate
  • Upper Burdekin Windfarm updates available
• Coming Up
  • Planet-Conscious Townsville Thurs 2 Feb
  • World Wetlands Day at Mundy Creek Sat 4 Feb
  • "Franklin" screening Wed 22 Feb
  • Green Drinks (date TBC)
• Opportunities
• Further Reading/Actions

As we round out 2022, we'd love to thank you for your support throughout the year. Taking actions, attending events, chipping in money when you can... it all makes our work come to life!

We are holding an end-of-year gathering this Saturday afternoon (more details below) and we hope you can join us!

Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • NQCC Trivia
  • Burdekin Basin updates
  • Qld Environment Symposium
  • NAB Action
  • Green Drinks
• Coming Up
  • NQCC Xmas Party
• Opportunities
• Further Reading/Actions

Things really are heating up here in North Queensland - in every sense of the word! Temperature records are breaking and we're flat out, delivering updates, actions and events. We hope you can get involved with us in some way in this action-packed month!

We are also excited to present our activities and achievements from the last financial year in our 2021/22 Annual Report!

As always, we thank you for your support and hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Meet the Management Committee!
  • Townsville Tree Policy Update
  • Hells Gates Dam not funded
• Actions & Events:
  • #NotAnotherDollar action outside NAB
  • Renewables and Biodiversity: webinar
  • Trivia Night and Mega Raffle
  • TIDY Up Townsville Cleanup
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities
• Further Reading/Actions

Since our last Paperbark, we've been kept busy with our AGM and doing our best to keep up with all of the new conservation announcements! It's been a huge few weeks for NQCC and for the movement! We'll keep things brief here, but please reach out if you'd like more information.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• Conservation News
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • AGM
  • Townsville Tree update
  • Meeting with Senator Penny Allman-Payne
  • Recommendations for Rewiring the Nation
  • Protecting our native forests
• Actions, Events & Opportunities:
  • Energy Planning Law Review - petition
  • Move Beyond Coal Townsville group!
  • Climate, communities & reef research
  • Green Drinks
  • Planet-Conscious Townsville
  • Sundalah Meet & Mingle
• Fundraising Update
  
  • Local Matters 
  • Trivia Night - save the date!
  • Become a monthly donor
  • Buy a t-shirt

Environmental news can feel pretty heavy sometimes, so we're going to try and keep Paperbark positive this month!

To start with, here are some stats we think you might like...

• More than 8,400 solar panels have been installed at Townsville state schools (Qld Government media statements), furthering an initiative that has been pushed for and supported by conservation and climate groups for many years.
• According to a new survey, 85% of Townsville residents either support or strongly support our region becoming a hub for renewable-powered industry and manufacturing (Solar Citizens). 
• Operation Habitat Auto has removed a whopping 18.71 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish from the Port Access Reserve so far (learn more about the project). 

We hope you enjoy this month's edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Local media for our flying foxes
  • Submissions
  • Green Drinks
  • Farewell, Matt
• Calls to Action:
  • Cut Emissions, Create Jobs (QCC petition)
  • Move Beyond Coal online launch party
• Other Opportunities:
  • Planet Conscious Townsville Event
  • Support other local environmental groups 
• Get Behind Us
  • Become a monthly donor!
  • Give us your vote at Grill'd
  • Buy a t-shirt!

Happy NAIDOC Week! We hope you can get along to an event near you (find Townsville events here) to help mark this important week in the spirit of this year's theme: "Get up! Stand up! Show up!"

The past few weeks have been choc-full of government policy and budget announcements with implications for our environment, so we will continue to do our best to keep you well-informed as things unfold.

We have also been keeping busy out and about, carrying out engagement, education and advocacy (locally and in the southeast) - and there's plenty more of that to come! 

We hope that you enjoy this edition of Paperbark as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

In this edition:

• Announcements
  • Funding for National Parks
  • Plastics Ban Progresses
  • Decarbonising Queensland?
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • What We're Working On
  • Eco Fiesta
  • Ministerial Roundtable
  • Member Event
• Coming up:
  • JCU Market Day
  • Green Drinks
• Calls to Action:
  • Become a Litter Hero
  • Waddananggu Celebration: Webinar
  • Tell Lockton to say no to Adani
  • Reef Restoration & Adaptation Advisory Group
  • Low Emissions Agriculture Road Map: Have your say
• Some Good News
  • New National Park for FNQ
  • Climate Election Report

What a rollercoaster of a month that was! We hope that you are getting some well earned rest and prioritising self-care after the ups and downs of the election, whether you were actively campaigning, supporting others who were, or watching on from a safe distance. 

We are optimistic about what the election result means for the future of democracy, diversity and climate action. At the same time, we recognise that the hardest work is ahead of us if we are to mitigate the climate and extinction crises before it is too late.

If you aren't already, please consider becoming an NQCC member or a monthly donor. We need your support now more than ever.

In this edition:

• National Reconciliation Week
  • NQCC update
  • JCU Mabo Lecture
  • Mabo Day Festival
  • GBRMPA's "Managing Sea Country" Webinar
  • Uluru Statement From the Heart
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Election Activities
  • Townsville Climate Rally
  • Strand Night Market
  • Cotters Market
  • Pimlico Careers Expo 
• Coming up:
  • Eco Fiesta
  • June Green Drinks
• Recommended Resources: 
  
  • "What Regions Need on the Path to Net Zero"
  • Psychology for a Safe Climate
• Some Good News
  • Yellow Crazy Ants funding
  • Hells Gates Dam delayed

With the political parties' election campaigning well underway, we hope you've been having some productive conversations with family and friends about the things that matter to you.

There are some opportunities coming up this week to come together with others to take meaningful action! On Thursday evening you can join AYCC for letter writing or attend an online screening of "Regenerating Australia", followed by small group actions, facilitated by Climate for Change. Then on Friday, you can volunteer with our stall at the Strand Night Market, where we can have climate conversations face-to-face. In another week's time, we can come together to recharge our batteries with some of that vibrant Green Drinks energy!

Some handy resources you might like to share with your friends and family in the lead up to the election:

• Vote Climate One's Traffic Light Election Guide
• ABC's Vote Compass
• Solar Citizens' Renewable Energy and Clean Transport Scorecard

We also recommend approaching the candidates of your electorate (at community events or online) to let them know that you want to see action on climate change, along with specific examples of why it matters to you and what you'd like to see happening in/for your electorate. If you'd like help with that, please get in touch with us!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Strand Night Market (helpers needed!)
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities & Actions:
  • AYCC letter writing
  • "Regenerating Australia" online screening
  • Yellow crazy ants: take action
  • Be a Litter Hero
  • Add your climate story
  • Tour de Carmichael
  • Free community organising training