STRING BALL OF OCEAN RUBBISH

At the moment beaches near Brisbane are bringing up some very odd pieces of land-based refuse and plastic from the major flooding that has occurred in January.


If you are a teacher or concerned community member and are looking for a novel way to raise awareness of ocean debris in your school or community, this might be the right time to start an ocean rubbish string ball as suggested by SOAR here. A collection of string balls might make a terrific focal point for a conversation/communication piece on ocean pollution.


If you are suggesting this activity to students, in particular, safety is very important! Debris may have sharp bits on them or under them and hands must be washed after touching things from the beach. 


Teachers looking for a unit on Marine Pollution to bring the point home are welcome to use the free online materials provided by AUSMEPA here.

Sapphire Coast Summer Activities, New South Wailes

 

Snug Cove Wharf, Eden (253 Imlay Street) Ph: 02 64961699

www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

Come and discover our amazing marine environment

• Kids corner • Aquaria

• Touch tank• Beachcombing table

• Science room • Whale room

• theatrette with stunning films

• Tsunami demos• Research displays

• DVD presentations• Experienced guides

NEW MARINE LABORATORY NOW OPEN

and much more !

CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

11am to 3pm

Wednesday to Saturday from 5^th January – 29^th January 2011

Adults $7, Seniors $5, Children $2, Families $15

Holiday Activity Programs (Minimum Group Size 4)

Rocky Shore Ramble

Join an experienced guide exploring the amazing diversity of life found on our rock platforms

Any age   1.5hrs   $5 Adults   $2 Children   $12 Families

 (Note: subject to tides)

Guided Snorkel Tours

Our Trained Instructors can show you some of the hidden secrets in the clear waters anywhere along the Sapphire Coast

Ages 12+    2hrs    25 Adults    $10 Children    $60 Families

(Maximum Group Size: 8)

Beachcombing walk

Take a guided walk along one of our local beaches and see what hidden treasures you can find

Any age   1.5hrs   $5 Adults   $2 Children   $12 Families

If you don’t have the numbers, give us a call and we’ll see what we can arrange for you.

Phone us to discuss your needs and book a tour on 6496 1699!

Help for Flood Affected in Queensland during Dec 2010 and Jan 2011

Many AUSMEPA schools, teachers, colleagues and friends have been affected either directly or indirectly by the serious flooding that has occurred in Queensland over the last six weeks not to mention subsequent flooding in states to the south. We share the community concern for flood affected homes, families, farms and businesses. Our thoughts go specially to the Marine Teachers and we would like to encourage everyone who can lend a hand to contribute to the cleanup and wonderful restoration efforts. 

Below please find information from the Queensland Government website for the ways you might be able to help  (click here) 

Flooding in Southern Queensland

Significant flooding occurred in many areas of Queensland during late December 2010 and early January 2011, with three quarters of the state declared a disaster zone.

Recovery work is underway, with support available for those affected and opportunities for everyone to help others in need.

Need help?

Flooding in Southern Queensland

Significant flooding occurred in many areas of Queensland during late December 2010 and early January 2011, with three quarters of the state declared a disaster zone.

Recovery work is underway, with support available for those affected and opportunities for everyone to help others in need.

Need help?

Support and assistance

Community recovery, rebuilding and repairing homes and insurance.

Want to help?

Donate to the flood relief appeal

Volunteer to help with the flood recovery

Keep Informed

News and alertsFinding your local radio frequency, news and updates, twitter and facebook feeds and weather warnings.

Be prepared

Preparing for floodsIf you are in an area that may be affected by flooding and may need to evacuate and be prepared.

Queensland Floods - Please Donate.

www.youtube.com

Images from Brisbane, Southbank, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Grantham, Crows Nest, Condamine, Dayboro, Everton Park, Gatton, Dutton Park, East Brisbane, Fairfield, Greenmount, Maryborough, Jindalee, Oxley, Milton, Laidley, Bunya, Petrie, Riverview, Redbank Plains, Stanthorpe, West End. If you're in a posit

Summer by the Sea 2011 -- 300 free coastal events from 3 to 23 January

Got some free time while you are holidaying in Victoria this January? It is well worth checking out the schedule of free coastal events organised by Coast Action/Coastcare this year. 

"Summer by the Sea provides an opportunity to discover and appreciate the natural wonders of Victoria’s coastal and marine environments. The program promotes respect for the coast, environmental stewardship and participation in coastal conservation."

Some activities:

• guided walks and rockpool rambles
• snorkel safaris
• kayak and boat tours
• geology adventures
• bird watching

Click here to find out more

TED TALK: Dianna Cohen: Tough truths about plastic pollution | Video on TED.com

Dianna Cohen: Tough truths about plastic pollution | Video on TED.com

http://www.ted.com/talks/dianna_cohen_to...

TED Talks Artist Dianna Cohen shares some tough truths about plastic pollution in the ocean and in our lives -- and some thoughts on how to free ourselves from the plastic gyre.

This really is the bottom line regarding plastics. We must refuse them whenever and wherever possible.There will be some trade-offs. We need to take a step back in time in order to regain our footing. For me the bin liners are a killer. If you have ideas for dealing with kitchen needs send them to me or post a comment on this article. 

Some of the things we can do:

Purchase goods in glass jars and save them for food storage in the fridge.

Use a dish to cover over food in the fridge rather than plastic wrap

There are so many reasons not to use plastics in the freezer but alernatives are challenging -- use foil containers and then reuse them for as long as you can.

If your premises can't manage a compost bin then you might trial digging a small hole in the garden and bury the food waste progressively - it would keep the garden turned over too.


FOR TEACHERS:
AUSMEPA has a free online Marine Pollution unit of work for middle year students. Click here for more

Sea-Safari: science and nature for everyone in Victoria's Riviera

Now this is the kind of tour I’d love to join – a ‘hands-on’ experience with an expert interpreter! Sea-Safari takes passengers to remote places around the Gippsland Lakes that have no vehicle access. The experience aboard the Lakes Explorer vessel has participants enjoying tour commentary while learning about the remarkable nature of the lakes and estuaries. They will, depending on which tour, be able to participate in research on sea-birds, sea-horses, marine life identification or water test for salinity levels that affect the wildlife. 

Skipper Peter Johnstone knows much about the nature of people, boats and even more about the nature of our coasts. He’s figured out a way of sharing it with all of us in a real immediate and instructive manner. Additionally data that is collected each day contributes to the body of scientific knowledge desperately required to understand how to keep our coasts healthy.

To find our more about Lakes Explorer and Skipper Peter Johnstone click here
or ring 03 5155 5027 or  0458511438   

Summer by the Sea at Ricketts Sanctuary, VIctoria

MEDIA RELEASE

15^th DECEMBER 2011

Hakan Dellal

Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc. and Beaumaris Life Saving Club

Summer Marine Discovery and Water Safety January 2011 Program

A landmark community “enterprise” at a land mark location. Ricketts Point in Beaumaris this year will be the site for discovery and summer fun with the delivery of a month long marine discovery and water safety program.

Having been awarded funding as part of Bayside City Council’s Community Grants initiative local organizations, Beaumaris Life Saving Club and Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc., are across January 2011 presenting an array of water and coastal activities centered on Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and some of its more popular beaches.

Sea kayaking, snorkeling, rock pool and foreshore rambles are just some of the activities on offer at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, near the Beaumaris Life Saving Club,

Under the guidance of experienced kayakers, divers and marine and coastal educators, those who join in will experience and discover the rich natural history and surprising biodiversity of Victoria’s marine and coastal treasures.

The Beaumaris Life Saving Club will be showcasing ”Nippers” and other activities, enabling children and families to get involved in the fun of life saving, making new friends and learning vital water safety skills all Victorian children and families need being the water loving creatures they are.

All activities are all free and aimed at school aged children, adults, families as well as the disabled.

The sea kayaking activities require booking, see the Marine Care website www.marinecare.org.au for dates and contact information.

All other activities can be undertaken without booking on allocated days. Snorkeling, both children and adult sessions will be undertaken off the disabled diver’s ramp near the Beaumaris Yacht Club (Car park B17, Melways Ref Map 86 B8) and led by Churchill Fellow and renowned diver Mike Letch.

All other activities are based around Marine Care’s newly Marine Education Center at Beaumaris Life Saving Club headquarters, established in partnership with the Club. (Car park B18, Melways REF Map 86 C9)

The centre, a facility for public and school education has been designed as an outreach location for use by tour operators who deliver marine, environmental and outdoor education to the schools sector.

Marine Care has utilized many of these tour operators including the Gould league, Dolphin Research Institute, Bay Play, and East Coast Kayaking to lead the summer program activities.

In addition two special Teachers Expo days will be held on the 27^th and 28^th of January to enable primary and secondary teachers to observe and gather information about programs to compliment their curriculum.

Program operates every weekend in January 2011 starting on the 4^th and finishing January 30^th. Teacher Expos are 27^th and 28^th of January.

Sea kayaking bookings 22^nd Jan., Bay Play (03) 9598 0888.

Sea kayaking bookings 29^th Jan., East Coast Kayaking (03) 9597 0549.

For information and any updates go to www.marinecare.org.au