WetlandCare Australia and the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) are holding a two part mangrove/plastics awareness workshop and Marine Debris Clean Up in the Town of 1770 on 19th and 20th April as part of Clean up Australia Day, World Wetland Day and the Regional Landcare facilitation project. We will be raising public awareness of the issue of marine debris and involving the local community and school, to improve and maintain the environmental health of the coastal habitat of Agnes Water and the Town of 1770.
Round Hill Creek is a declared fish habitat area and an important nursery for many marine species including mud crab, prawns, whiting, mullet and bream. Substantial local recreational and commercial fishing industry is sustained by the mangrove and seagrass habitats in this area. These habitats are also important in protecting the shoreline from the erosive impact of waves, capturing sediments, pollutants and nutrients for better water quality, buffering against storm and cyclone damage and as a store for atmospheric carbon.
Marine debris, plastics and other litter have been identified as a major threat to the environmental health of these habitats and their values, and is also of concern aesthetically to the large number of tourists that visit this region.
WetlandCare Australia and BMRG are inviting all interested members of the community to join us in an informative movie screening ” Bag It” presented by Tangaroa Blue on Thursday 19 April at 6.30pm to learn about the impact of plastic on our waterways. The screening of “Bag It” will be followed by a WetlandCare Australia presentation on the important role mangroves play in the environment.
On the following day, Friday April 20th, we invite you to join us on a crusade to make a difference individually by becoming involved in a local marine debris clean up. Please meet us at the Town of 1770 shelter in front of 1770 Beach Hotel at 9.00 am, with sturdy shoes and sun protection and will arm you with gloves and bags to collect the rubbish/debris. International environmental group, Tangaroa Blue, will be holding a workshop and analysing and recording the types and quantities of all litter collected .
To RSVP: please Email: admin@bmrg.org.au by Friday 13 April 2012.
For more information please contact Sherry O’Brien, Senior Project Officer, WetlandCare Australia 4181 2999 (Ext 203) or 0457 338906 or sherryobrien@wetlandcare.com.au.
Published by