Shore Bird Protection; New South Wales

A healthy Australian coastal environment can be ascertained fairly easily by the presence 
or absence of the birds associated with that ecosystem. However sea and shore birds often 
have a difficult time sharing space with people and their activities.


Volunteers associated with the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre along the southern 
coast of New South Wales have been involved in a program co-ordinated by the NSW National 
and Wildlife Service to provide some protection for the birds.

Volunteering either as a community member or through school participation can contribute to the health of our coasts and oceans. There are many possibilities both local and national. To find out what is available in your area speak with your local council or search online

Visit the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Center here

FOR TEACHERS: AUSMEPA's new Coastal Conservation Leadership unit of work for schools will be available on our website in the next month or so. Watch this space!

Visit the AUSMEPA website here

Sustainable Schools

HOW CAN A SCHOOL BUILD SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES INTO THEIR CAMPUS? The Dept of Education and Training in Queensland is on a fast track to building sustainability into its schools by providing support and resources to schools who want to turn green.

The Sustainable Schools program outlines how a school can start by developing its own School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP). This will allow a school to integrate environmental considerations into school planning as a whole. The step by step process pilots an overarching cultural shift guided by ecologically sustainable principles, adopting sustainable practises at a local level.

The SEMP tool for schools provides a choice of focus areas so every school has the opportunity to be engaged. Any school that wishes to participate can go to the Sustainable Schools website to register – click here. http://www.sustainableschools.qld.edu.au/

INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC MARINE EDUCATORS - CONFERENCE, Fiji 6-9 July 2010

The IPMEN 2010 conference theme for Vakarau ni se siga toka is an old expression that means “Prepare whilst there is time.”

The IPMEN 2010 conference strands are:
Strand 1: Key Challenges in Ocean Literacy.
Strand 2: Building Healthy Sustainable Coastal Communities.
Strand 3: Women in Fisheries - Partnerships for Change.
Strand 4: How Does Climate Change Affect Children of the Pacific?

Any marine educator is need of mental refreshment and professional renewal in a beautiful island setting should seriously be getting themselves ready to participate in the IPMEN conference this year.

If you cannot physically go to the conference you should investigate how to participate via the web by contacting Sylvia.Spalding@noaa.gov

See more at www.ipmen.net

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY 7 MARCH 2010

Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 7 March 2010
Business Clean Up Day -Tuesday 2 March 2010
Schools Clean Up Day - Friday 5 March 2010

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA
Taken from the CUA website:

"Every year, from Perth to Penrith, hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and Clean Up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day. This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary and we hope to make it the biggest community event to date!"

"How to get involved. Clean Up Australia Day is fun, easy and everyone can get involved. Individuals and local groups can either choose their own site to Clean Up or volunteer at an existing site."

To find out how you can participate click on this link http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/about/about-the-event/clean-up-australia-day

Another way to help reduce plastic refuse getting out into the environment is to encourage a No Plastic Friday at your school or workplace.