World Wetlands Day will be celebrated on Sunday 5th of February at G J Walter Park at Toondah Harbour in Cleveland. This FREE community event honours the Moreton Bay Wetlands which forms in part the Cleveland shoreline.
This family-friendly event will include both fun activities and those of an educational nature including the importance of mangroves.
Do you know what makes mangroves so special? Mangroves provide natural infrastructure and protection to nearby populated areas by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme weather events. Their dense roots help bind and build soils making them important for the ecosystem, as both homes and food sources.
There will be displays on the day where you can learn more about the importance of mangroves as well hear some fascinating speakers who will share their knowledge of Moreton Bay including:
Dr Ian Tibbetts who has completed a PhD on Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) fish, taking up a lectureship at UQ and is Director of the Moreton Bay Foundation.
Steve Hawthorne will talk about Oz Fish Reef restoration, using oyster shells - helping restore oyster growth and also improving the health of Moreton Bay.
Dr Fernanda Adame works at the Coastal and Marine Centre, Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University. She works collaboratively with the Qld Govt Dept of Environmental Sciences.
Judith Hoyle, is a board member of Birdlife Australia, convenor of Birdlife Southern Qld for several years, and currently BirdLife Australia Ambassador to Save the Bay.
Event Flyer
But there will be fun activities too including live music, and a long table breakfast and all ages can participate in the human mangrove tree event. Children will be catered for with origami lessons and story time. Older kids can participate in a quiz with answers located in a display area.
If you still have energy after all that there will be a walk (with koala spotting) from GJ Walter Park through Nandeebie claypan to Oyster Point after 11.00am.
This event for World Wetlands Day commences at 8 am and finishes at 11 am. Take along a fold up chair or picnic blanket, hat, water and sunscreen and be prepared for a busy morning.
Happy World Wetlands Day!
