Thursday, August 29, 2013

Have you ever watched a sea anemone move?



www.ausmepa.org.au

Can there be a coordinated approach to Coastal Management?

AUSMEPA notes that a new group has formed with just that in mind. Members of the new Australian Coastal Advocacy Alliance incorporate Coastal Council groups from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales as well as the National Sea Change Taskforce, Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective, Surf Life Saving Australia and the Surf Rider Foundation Australia have decided to take the task on. 

As result of this initiative we are seeing some documented articles arising on their website http://coast.org.au/ which will be interest to students and teachers.


kings                                            . ·             
"The Australian Coastal Advocacy Alliance has been formed to call for a coordinated approach from all levels of Australian government to planning and maintaining our coast. "
· · in   Coastal CouncilsPlanning



www.ausmepa.org.au

Monday, August 26, 2013

LOVE EVERY DROP; St Macartans Primary School



Receiving their AUSMEPA cheque with Bob Winters
AUSMEPA is incredibly proud of so many of our Australian schools for their endeavours to find sustainable solutions both in the classroom, in their communities and on school grounds.  One of our favourite schools is St Macartans Primary School.
 
Macartans recently received and AUSMEPA grant of $1500 to assist them with the Mangrove component of their brilliant 'Love Every Drop' project. The students are collaborating  with another school to grow mangrove seedlings that are to be planted in Victoria's Western Port Bay later this year.

Mangroves, nursery and buffering zones

The school has already achieved a 5 Star Resource Smart School accreditation. They lead, mentor and support many other schools by hosting student conferences, teacher conferences and a Sustainability Fair. The students write a weekly newsletter that is posted on their dedicated sustainability website at www.smmornington.com.au.

Planting a swale with native plants




On school grounds students have created ponds and planted swales with native and indigenous plants. These water sensitive urban design features reduce run-off from untreated stormwater. A rain garden collects, filters and treats stormwater before it enters the stormwater drainage system. Their wetland also improves the local catchment by using natural depressions to enhance water absorption into underground aquifers.
 


By managing rainwater locally, there is a reduction in the need for larger infrastructure projects downstream from the school. The native animals are also winners. Swales and wetlands improve the environment for frogs, a key species in identifying the health of waterways.  
Students assess water quality by measuring pH, nitrate and phosphorous levels and report to the school community through their newsletters and other media.



Water Sensitive Urban Design

All of these careful considerations and actions not only protect the environment on the school grounds but also the catchment leading into the coastal waters where essential buffering zones such as Mangroves, struggle against the increasing impacts of catchment changes and pollution.

Another great school doing great things. Learn more about Marine Stormwater Pollution on AUSMEPA's student research pages      here
 
www.ausmepa.org.au

Friday, August 9, 2013

BrisbaneTeacher Workshop: Environmental Education and Sustainability in the Australian Curriculum

AUSMEPA friends, the Global Learning Centre, are assisting teachers to satisfy their professional development commitments under the AITSL National Professional Standards for Teachers by holding a one day workshop.

Where: Bulimba State School, Oxford Street, Bulimba
When: Saturday 21st September 2013
Time: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: $60 Non-members $40 GLC members/students

Keynote: The importance of Environmental Education for Global Citizenship

Please register your interest at
 http://www.glc.edu.au



www.ausmepa.org.au

2013 Annual NSW Coastal Management Award Nominations Open Now

The Annual NSW Coastal Management Awards are presented to publicly recognise and acknowledge the contributions of individuals, groups, organisations and agencies toward the ecologically sustainable management of the NSW coastal zone.
 
You are invited to nominate a colleague, industry partner, organisation or group in any of the following categories:
  • Ruth Readford Award for Lifetime Achievement
  • Innovation
  • Community Involvement
  • Local Government
  • Student Research
  • Public Good Award
 
The awards will be presented at the 22nd NSW Coastal Conference Dinner
on Thursday 14th November 2013
at Rydges, Port Macquarie.
 
Further information on the awards and to nominate please click here (also attached to this email)
 
Award Nominations Close Friday 11th October 2013
 
Registration is also open for the 2013 NSW Coastal Conference!
 
 
For Further Information, please contact the Conference Managers:
EAST COAST CONFERENCES: Amy McIntosh, Jayne Hindle, Linley Blain, Jodie McCormick



www.ausmepa.org.au

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

SAFER SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIA'S UNIQUE NORTH-EAST


News from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is that consultation and public comment is being sought on Queensland's North-East Shipping Management Plan.

They advise that, 'Australia’s north-east marine environment is recognised as one of the most sensitive and unique ecological regions in the world. To ensure the continued protection of this precious resource, the North-East Shipping Management Plan (NESMP) has been developed in close consultation with a range of government agencies.'

'The plan sets out the Australian Government’s intentions to enhance ship safety in the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea regions and is now open for public comment until 4 October 2013.'


 
Australian Maritime Safety Authority

www.ausmepa.org.au