The start of this new decade has brought with it some truly catastrophic weather, which has all of us deeply concerned for the communities, landscapes and wildlife that have been impacted.

We at NQCC are so grateful to all those who have contributed to the rescue and recovery efforts - from donating to the organisations on the front lines to spreading education and awareness around wildlife care or climate change - thank you. 

If the past few weeks have driven you towards becoming more involved in environmental protection and tackling the climate crisis, consider joining us. Our members strengthen the voice that represents North Queensland's environment, and our monthly donors increase our capacity to take on more environmental battles.

Whatever actions you take to help you come to terms with the impacts of the climate crisis, know that we stand with you in the hope of creating a better, safer world for the future, and we won't let climate change-denying politicians get in our way.

If you are looking for a resource to support your personal resilience, take the time to read this collection of ideas from Psychology for a Safe Climate.

In this edition:

• New Committee Member welcomed
• Boomerang Bags Coordinator wanted
• Magnetic Island residents declare a war on waste
• Zero Waste Workshop
• Green Drinks is back!
• Member of the Month
• Religious leaders come out against climate change
• Wildlife carer grants now available

With 2019 almost at an end, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you so much for being a part of our movement to protect our environment here in North Queensland!

This year, thanks to your support, we've achieved some rather remarkable things! Here is a quick look back at NQCC's activities and achievements in 2019:

• We've made submissions on the following:
  • The Mineral Resources (Galillee Basin) Amendment Bill
  • The EPBC Referral - Flying Fox deterrent
  • The Queensland Environmental Offsets Framework
  • Mackay Tourism's Wallaby Sunrise Tours at Cape Hillsborough Beach
  • The North Queensland Country Club Resort and Equestrian Centre at Toolakea Beach
  • The North Queensland Regional Plan
• We've been vocal about climate change, supporting the Strikes for Climate and hosting a Climate Concert as part of Queensland's Climate Week, as well as advocating for better climate change engagement in our region from policy-makers
• We've grown our campaign to #SaveOurNationalParks with demonstrations, media events, market stalls, petitions and postcards
• We've worked hard to keep our environment at the forefront of peoples' minds, with attendance at a wide range of community events

In this edition:

• Boomerang Bags volunteer opportunity
• Ministerial Environment Roundtable 
• Let Queensland's Tourism Minister know what you want for Christmas
• Cranky Curlews have your last-minute Christmas shopping sorted!

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

The start of this month (and the beginning of Spring) has seen an early start to the bushfire season around the nation. We've been warned about hotter, drier conditions and longer bushfire seasons by the IPCC for some years now, but this month has really started driving the point home. Our climate is changing around us, and while its impacts on human civilisation feature in stories of the mainstream media, its impacts on habitats, ecosystems and vulnerable species are considered far less noteworthy. This is something that we hope to bring attention to in our continued fight for immediate action to address the climate crisis.

In the face of this worldwide environmental destruction, the movement for climate action is growing, as seen in the form of thousands of concerned citizens following Greta Thunberg's example and taking to the streets as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday the 20th. Townsville's event drew a crowd of around 700, and featured inspiring speeches, enthusiastic chants and delightfully creative placards. This blog post by NQCC member Malcolm Tattersall cleverly captures the range of organisations supporting the Townsville Strike, providing links to each one to help you get involved.

Strikers with their messages at Townsville's Climate Strike.

In this edition:

• NQCC's AGM - Welcome to new Committee Members!
• Campaign News:
  • Meetings with Ministers at Regional Parliament
  • Can you help save this tree?
• Fundraising, Members & Events:
  • It's Trivia Time again!
  • Get in on our Fundraising Raffle!
  • Member of the Month
  • Connecting Regional Qld: Sustainability Summit
  • AYCC's Climate Justice Bootcamp

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 [email protected] 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