North Queensland Conservation Council

The unprecedented bushfires experienced in Queensland and NSW this month have well and truly sparked political fervour around climate change. All around the country, firefighters, farmers, bushfire victims and regional mayors have come out in support of climate change action to protect human property and lives, but also our shared natural environment.

This has shifted the climate change conversation: no longer is it between the conservation movement and the rest of the population - it's between those who are linking the science with reality and political inaction, and those who choose to believe some wild conspiracy theories instead. (Speaking of conspiracy theories, did you know Greta Thunberg is a time traveller? No joke.)

Frustrated by a lack of policy action, local convenor of LEAN (Labor Environment Action Network) and longtime NQCC supporter David Cassells has lodged a petition calling on the Government to convene a Hawke-like National Summit to listen to scientists, fire management specialists and First Nation knowledge holders to craft a bipartisan national response to both the bushfire emergency and the wider climate emergency. Please sign the petition here and share among your networks!

If you've been having some tense conversations with family members and colleagues about the role of environmentalists in the bushfire emergency, we have some tips below to help guide such conversations. We also recommend you take five minutes to enjoy this interesting little video by the ABC featuring Craig Reucassel and about thirteen minutes to listen to this fascinating interview with former fire chief Greg Mullins.

In this edition:

• Did "Greenie" policies contribute to this bushfire season?
• NQCC's submission to the NQ Regional Plan
• Wilderness Matters - remembering Hinchinbrook protests with a lively event
• Flying foxes threatened by dispersal methods
• Sharks still at risk of culling
• Proposed Vanadium project
• Hells Gates Dam update
• Introducing Arcadia Coastcare's new beaut website
• Queensland's Container Deposit Scheme celebrates 12 months
• Member of the Month!

October has seen NQCC join with other members of the conservation movement to celebrate two significant anniversaries, which has us reflecting on how far we've come and what vitally important achievements we have made! We have also had a bit of fun with our largest annual fundraising event, which we were thrilled to share with our local supporters.

While our State and Federal Governments are still taking negligible action on our top environmental crises, the power, passion and innovation of scientists, individuals and businesses means that there is some good news out there!

• Just last week, the Climate Council announced that wind and solar generated more electricity than brown coal in the last quarter, despite the lack of government policies in place to support a transition to renewables. 
• Throughout National Bird Week (21 - 27 October), over 103,000 checklists were submitted to the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, up from 84,000 last year - a positive sign for the future of citizen science (and for bird conservation)!
• A floating boom designed to collect and remove plastic from the Pacific Ocean is now functional, which spells out good news for the marine life affected by the pollution. This project is also a source of inspiration for innovative solutions to our environmental problems. 

In this edition:

• National Parks: No longer protected from development
• Adani Royalty Holiday
• Don't put Greenies in the Corner! - Recognising contemporary challenges and opportunities within our movement
• QCC celebrates 50 years
• Hinchinbrook Channel campaign: 25 years on
• Trivia Night: we came, we played, we triumphed!
• Fundraising raffle - winners and stats
• November container drive!
• Upcoming events

Making headlines this month was our Prime Minister's highly anticipated visit to Tuvalu, where he assured our Pacific Island neighbours that their plight to save their nations is not as important as the revenue Australia receives from exporting thermal coal.

Meanwhile, back home, cane growers are providing a substantial platform for the one scientist who says the reef is "actually in great order", and the Queensland State Government is proposing new legislation that would see climate protesters face harsher fines than the environmental vandals they oppose. 

Voices for the environment are more important than ever, and together we are strong! The best kind of action is community action, so find a way to get involved and together we will shape the future.

Looking for inspiration? Green Drinks is held on the second Friday of every month, and if you live outside of Townsville, investigate starting your own!

In this edition:

• Upcoming Events 
  • AGM - Wed 18 September
  • Climate Strike - Sat 20 September
  • Trivia Night - Fri 18 October
• Our Activities:
  • Campaigns Update
  • JCU Market Day
  • Meet our Interns!
• Member of the Month (new feature!)

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!

Well, it looks like we've made it to the end of June - what an action-packed month it has been! Thank you for your support throughout this month! From engaging with us via social media, attending our events or contributing to our fundraising efforts, we couldn't have done everything we have without you!

If you are yet to renew your membership for 2019/2020, you may receive a phone call in the coming weeks, but if you're not sure you can email community@nqcc.org.au to check your membership status. If you would like to renew online, go here. 

Drawing towards the end of June means that this financial year is almost over (seriously, where did it go?). As such, you only have a few days for any donations to count towards this year's tax deduction. You can donate online here. 

In this edition:

• June in Review
  • Palm Creek Folk Festival
  • Climate Concert
  • Art Auction
• Upcoming Events
  • Plastic-Free July
  • Green Drinks
  • JCU O-Week Market

To those of you who have renewed your membership or recently joined, thank you (and congratulations for taking positive action for the environment)! If you are currently craving the chance to do some hands-on volunteering with us, this month is positively brimming with such opportunities!

Membership renewals are due next Wednesday (World Environment Day), so treat yourself and sign up now! 

Become a Member of NQCC for just $20!

In this edition:

• May in review
  • Members Event
  • Postcard Art Exhibition Opening
  • Eco Fiesta
• Upcoming events (and volunteer opportunities):
  • Palm Creek Folk Festival
  • Extinction Rebellion Info Night
  • Green Drinks
  • Climate Concert
  • Postcard Art Auction

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

Welcome to this month's edition of Paperbark! We've really hit the ground running this year, and can't believe we're already at the end of March! Now is a great time to beat the rush and renew your membership for 2019-2020. Not a member? We'd love to have your support - annual membership is just $20, but it goes a long way towards supporting our activities. What kind of activities do we get up to? Read on to find out...

In this edition:

What We've Been Up To

• "Save Our National Parks" Campaign Launch
• Townsville Students Strike for Climate Action
• HeatWatch Townsville Event
• Oak Valley Cattle Facility Rally

Upcoming Events

• Big Solar for Townsville Training Night (Thursday 28 March)
• Climate and Health Alliance Workshop (Sunday 31 March)
• Media Training for Townsville (Saturday 6 April)
• Green Drinks (Friday 12 April)
• Member Event (Wednesday 1 May)

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!