World Wetlands Day 2021 Celebration - FREE Event

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Posted 2021-01-31 by May Cross ⇒ follow

Sat 06 Feb 2021

Did you know that it is World Wetlands Day on Saturday 6 February 2021? You are invited to join volunteers and like-minded people in celebrating World Wetlands Day and raising global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet.

You may have your own special place to celebrate this international day or you are welcome to visit the Boondall Wetlands and enjoy these beautiful wetlands and learn about the surrounding waters with guided walks. You will also receive free native plants as part of the 2021 World Wetlands Day. Volunteer guides will lead walks for groups of up to 10 people. The whole family is welcome and it is suitable for all ages. Although the guided walks are free, bookings are required via Eventbrite.

The 2 km Billai Dhagun walking track winds through several different vegetation communities, from Eucalypt forest to mangroves and saltmarsh. Your guide will highlight points of interest and help identify plants and animals you may see along the way. The walk is designed for all abilities.

Meet at the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre at 326 Stanworth Road in Boondall between 9.30 am and 11.00 am. Bring drinking water and a snack or picnic lunch as there are no food outlets on site.& #8239 ; Please wear a wide-brimmed hat, secure and fully-enclosed walking shoes, sun-smart clothing, sunscreen and insect repellent. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Walks are subject to weather and environmental conditions. Participants will be notified if the walk is cancelled.& #8239 ; If you cannot make it, please cancel on Eventbrite as there may be a waiting list.

Where are Boondall Wetlands?
Boondall Wetlands lie between Nudgee Beach, Boondall and Shorncliffe, only 15 km north of Brisbane's CBD. Visit the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre along Paperbark Drive at the end of Bicentennial Road, Boondall. Take the Boondall exit off the Gateway Motorway and follow the signs to Boondall Wetlands. The wetlands can also be reached via Nudgee Road, Nudgee Beach. For more information about other Council environment initiatives, visit or phone (07) 3403 8888.

Protect the Wetland's Birds
The Wetlands are home to many dozens of different species of birds. If like me, you are a keen nature lover (and a photographer), you will want to ensure that you do nothing inadvertently to harm the birds and other wildlife, nor their habitats.

Here are a couple of tips for you to make sure that they are kept safe and to enhance your own enjoyment:
• Walk quietly as you enjoy the birds. Watch shorebirds from a distance as they are easily disturbed and may not survive their arduous migratory journeys if they are stressed.
• Dogs disturb birds so it is best to leave them at home.

Migratory Shorebirds
Boondall Wetlands is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, particularly its shorebirds. Many of Boondall's birds are listed under international migratory shorebird agreements. Migratory shorebirds fly many thousands of kilometres annually between their breeding and non-breeding areas. During their migration, they stop off at many wetland sites to fuel the next leg of their flight. The route they travel along is called a flyway. The East Asian-Australasian Flyway stretches all the way from Siberia and Alaska southwards through east and south-east Asia to Australia and New Zealand. It is used by 55 migratory species and over five million birds.

BirdLife Australia says, "When you fly halfway around the world, your life depends on having somewhere safe to rest. Thousands of migratory shorebirds have just made a long-haul flight back home to Australia, arriving exhausted and in desperate need of food and rest. But their coastal homes are under threat. You can help ensure our remarkable migratory shorebirds have a safe haven this summer."