Our Coast to Coral Community talk series is back for 2020! Join Reef Check Australia and friends at The Bearded Lady for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments.

This month we'll hear from Elissa O'Malley from the University of Queensland, who will be speaking about the the environmental effects of sunscreen. 

The active ingredients in sunscreen are called UV filters and typically, several of them are used in each sunscreen. These chemicals can make their way into the environment after they are washed off skin or clothing and are frequently released into the environment due to their regular use. Recent studies investigating the harmful effects of UV filters to aquatic species have given rise to concern over the presence of these chemicals in the environment. In Australia however, there has been little research conducted into answering the question, should we be concerned about the wash-off of sunscreen into our beaches, reefs, lakes and waterways.

Elissa has studied the concentrations and behavior of UV filters at two recreational sites in South East Queensland to start addressing this question within Australia.

About the speaker:

Elissa is in her final year of PhD research at The University of Queensland. The topic of her project is to investigate the sources and occurrence of UV filters (sunscreen chemicals) in the aquatic environment within Australia.

Elissa completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) in 2013 and since then has furthered her knowledge of, and love for, the environment through her PhD studies as well as various volunteer activities. She is an active member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and a committed volunteer of the Australian Conservation Foundation.


18:00 Bar opens

18:30 Grab a seat (they go fast!)

18:45 Talk kicks off

19:30 Pizza and good sea-minded conversation

Entry is $3 (which gets you pizza at the end).

As the venue is a bar, under-18s are most welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. And a 5 year gap is necessary, ie. 17-yr-old cannot be accompanied by an 18-yr-old.

For more information contact Reef Check Australia: ambassadors@reefcheckaustralia.org

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by Queensland Government Community Sustainability Action Grants, with amazing in-kind support from The Bearded Lady.

Future talks take place on the last Tuesday night of each month, with a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

Come and celebrate Earth Hour in our Switch off to Switch off event in Townsville on Saturday March 28!

As the world switches off its lights in solidarity for Earth hour on Saturday March 28th, Reef Check Australia invites you to switch off your mind as well, for our Yoga by candlelight event. The event will be from 8.00-9.00pm, but please arrive early as we will start on time!

This is a fundraising event, with all funds donated to Reef Check Australia to continue their vital work of conducting reef health surveys within the Great Barrier Reef, and to assist with training of new Reef Ambassadors and Surveyors.

What is Earth Hour?
Every year hundreds of millions of people around the world in more than 7,000 cities in over 180 countries take part in this amazing global conservation movement. People do a wide range of things around the hour to show they care about our planet’s future. Millions choose to mark Earth Hour by going ‘lights out’ for 60 minutes at 8.30pm – a symbolic show of solidarity.

7.30-7.45pm: Grab a spot (dont forget to BYO yoga mat!)
8:00pm: The lights go out and Yoga kicks off
9:00pm: Event finishes

For more information contact jenni@reefcheckaustralia.org . This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia and Live and Breathe Yoga, and proudly supported by our Reef Ambassadors.

If you're a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, or equivalent, and you've always wanted to get more involved in reef research - now is your chance!

As part of the Integrated Coral Reef Citizen Science Program, Reef Check Australia is running SCUBA Surveyor training in the Whitsundays region.

Reef Check Australia SCUBA Surveyor training is a fun way to meet a tribe of reef-mind people, find out more about our beautiful reefs, boost your dive skills and build your capacity to actively contribute to scientific research. You don't need to have previous science or survey experience--we'll provide you with comprehensive training to safely collect great quality data to help look after reefs. 

When you successfully complete the surveyor course, you will receive a Reef Check EcoDiver certification and a PADI distinctive speciality certification.

The Reef Check EcoDiver qualification is recognised by the International global network of Reef Check programs, which allows you participate in survey expeditions at research sites all over the world! (Some locations may require additional training to learn regional indicators).

Once qualified, you’ll be eligible to join our teams of surveyors in the water collecting Reef health data on long-term sites in the Whitsundays region.

The course will run from 6-8 March 2020. The Integrated Coral Reef Citizen Science Program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, 

If this sounds like something you'd love, get your EOI in today.

APPLY HERE

Our Coast to Coral Community talk series is back for 2020! Join Reef Check Australia and friends on the second Tuesday night of each month at Sea Life, Mooloolaba, for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments.

This month we will hear from Dr. Chris Roelfsema from the University of Queensland.

Chris is a scientist and lecturer at the University of Queensland, since 1998. His research focuses on integrating field and remote sensing satellite or airborne imagery to study coral reef and seagrass environments. He has knowledge and skills in marine biology; identification of coral, seagrass, algae and inverts and various marine surveying methods; and developed techniques for gathering georeferenced photos of bottom types.

Chris' research has involved mapping or monitoring rocky reefs, seagrass and coral reefs in: Australia and the Asia Pacific region . His qualifications include: BsC hydrographic surveying, MsC Geodetic Engineer, PgDip Marine Science and a PhD in coral reef remote sensing. As an active diver since 1981, he has trained people in various marine surveying methods, organised volunteer based marine monitoring projects, is an active supporter of Reef Check and CoralWatch, and is a Reef Check trainer, since 2010.

About the Talk: Mapping Coral Reefs; from our backyard reefs to reefs globally.

Reef conservation requires consistent habitat maps, however there is no single map, created consistently, describing geomorphic zonation (e.g. slope, flat, crest) or bottom composition (e.g. coral, algae, sand) over the full extent of the world’s coral reefs.

Chris will run us through different field expeditions and field methods, citizen science involvement and maps created globally to help conserve the beautiful coral reefs. He’ll also chat to us about how the efforts of local citizen science groups, UniDive and Reef Check Australia, mapped some of our beautiful backyard reefs!

The talk will be held in the Seal Stadium at SEALIFE Mooloolaba. Doors open at 6:15 pm for a 6:30 pm start. Stay after the event for a discussion with the presenter and other attendees and enjoy a pizza-rific snack.

6:15: Grab a seat
6:30: Talk kicks-off
7:15: Pizza & good sea-minded conversation!

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council's Environment Levy partnerships grant and the June Canavan Foundation with amazing in-kind support from SEALIFE Sunshine Coast.

Thanks also to these awesome local businesses supporting these events with giveaway sustainable goodies, Onya, Bokashi Ninja, Surfing Green, Seastraws, Ever Eco, Boomerang Bags.

For more information email ambassadors@reefcheckaustralia.org or check out our Facebook event page.

Our Gold Coast Coordinator Jaime Kruusmaa is going to be the special guest at the monthly social catch up held by our friends at Gold Coast Dive Adventures (GCDA)!

This is a great opportunity to find out more about the work that Reef Check is doing on the Gold Coast and how to get involved.

Come along and ask Jaime all the questions that you always wanted to have answered. 

GCDA social nights are held at Runaway Bay Marina (Klein's Cafe/Bar) and take place on a monthly basis with different themes and guests. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.

The Reef Ambassador program is a ground-breaking project, training community outreach volunteers to actively inspire, motivate and support their communities to better understand and help protect local marine environments. This program mentors volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills in reef ecology, communications, behaviour change principles, and project planning to support positive locally relevant action for the reef. 

These Ambassadors will become enthusiastic community leaders, promoting information about the condition of our coral reefs and educating communities on what they can do to help.

We only offer a limited number of training courses each year and while we already think you are awesome for wanting to get involved, we cannot accept every applicant. Your application will be reviewed and we'll advise you of the status. Don't worry, there are plenty of additional opportunities to get involved!

PLEASE NOTE: To participate on a Reef Ambassador training course, you must be able to attend all training dates, and commit to at least 6 months of volunteering. Also note that prior to starting this application that you will need to have a copy of a current resume ready to complete this application.

Training dates are: March 14 & 15 (full 2 days workshop: 9am-5pm)

Please see costs and further details and apply here.

Our awesome Reef Ambassadors will be making an appearance and have an information stall at the Ocean Film Festival on the 18^th and 19^th of March at The J in Noosa Heads from 7 – 10pm. 

Come along and catch some awesome ocean themed movies and chat to our team. Book your tickets today through the Ocean Film Festival website.

Thanks to the June Canavan Foundation for supporting our work in this region.

If you're a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, or equivalent, and you've always wanted to get more involved in reef research - now is your chance! Expressions of Interest are now open for our upcoming SCUBA Surveyor training course.

Reef Check Australia SCUBA Surveyor training is a fun way to meet a tribe of reef-mind people, find out more about our beautiful reefs, boost your dive skills and build your capacity to actively contribute to scientific research. You don't need to have previous science or survey experience--we'll provide you with comprehensive training to safely collect great quality data to help look after reefs. 

When you successfully complete the surveyor course, you will receive a Reef Check EcoDiver certification and a PADI distinctive speciality certification.

The Reef Check EcoDiver qualification is recognised by the International global network of Reef Check programs, which allows you participate in survey expeditions at research sites all over the world! (Some locations may require additional training to learn regional indicators).

You will also be eligible to join our teams of surveyors in the water, collecting the important data we need to better understand, appreciate and protect our reefs. 

Training dates include: March 20, 21 and 22

If this sounds like something you'd love, get your EOI in before 28 February.

APPLY HERE

As the world switches off it's lights in solidarity with Earth hour on Saturday March 28th, Reef Check Australia invites you to switch off your mind as well, for our "Switch Off to Switch Off" meditation by candlelight event.

Grab your ticket, a cushion for your bum and swing by the Peregian Beach Community House at 8pm as we turn the lights off and put candles on for an hour of breathing light to a meditative flow guided by Adam Sellars from the The Pressure Project!

All funds will be donated to Reef Check Australia to continue our vital work of conducting reef health surveys within the Sunshine Coast area, and to assist with training of new Reef Ambassadors!

What is Earth Hour?

Every year hundreds of millions of people around the world in more than 7,000 cities in over 180 countries take part in this global conservation movement. People do a wide range of things around the hour to show they care about our planet’s future. Millions choose to mark Earth Hour by going ‘lights out’ for 60 minutes at 8.30pm local time – a symbolic show of solidarity.

2020 is a pivotal year for the planet and the most important Earth Hour ever. Participating in Earth Hour 2020 is an opportunity to show decision making world leaders that we put the environment at the top of the agenda, to protect the future of the one home we all share.

For more information contact Emily at seqevents@reefcheckaustralia.org.

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by our Reef Ambassadors, The Pressure Project and Peregian Beach Community House.

Join Reef Check Australia and friends on the second Tuesday night of each month at Sea Life, Mooloolaba, for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments.

This month we will hear from Professor Nicholas Paul from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Prof. Paul is a biologist in the School of Science and Engineering at USC. He leads applied research and development on seaweed and algae for new product development, based upon a platform of sustainable production. He is the project leader on two international research for development projects, focused on domesticating new species, creating new culture techniques and developing bio products for farmed seaweed in the Indo-Pacific region.

His interests in Australia revolve around high-value products, including functional food and nutraceuticals for human health as well as bio actives for livestock and agriculture. Because of its sustainability focus, this research has led to some unusual deviations from traditional aquaculture, working with sewage, coal-fired power stations and mining and mineral wastes.

About the Talk: From coast to cows: Seaweed supplements for methane reduction from cattle

Besides reducing our meat and dairy intake to reduce our carbon footprint, this might be the next best thing. A puffy pink seaweed that grows locally can stop cows from burping out methane and it is being primed for mass farming by USC researchers. 

The particular seaweed species, called Asparagopsis, grows prolifically off the Queensland Coast, and was the only seaweed found to have the effect in a study five years ago led by CSIRO. The USC team is working at the Bribie Island Research Centre in Moreton Bay to learn more about how to grow the seaweed species, with the goal of informing a scale-up of production that could supplement cow feed on a national or even global scale. Dr Paul will share the latest information on this research and let us know how this may assist individuals in reducing their carbon footprint.

Come join us in the Seal Stadium at SEALIFE, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba.

Doors open at 6:15 pm for a 6:30 pm start.

Stay after the event for networking and nibbles - get your burning questions answered by Prof. Nicholas Paul and continue your thoughts, ideas and sea-minded discussions with your local community, while you enjoy some pizza!

This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council's Environment Levy partnerships grant and the June Canavan Foundation with amazing in-kind support from SEALIFE Sunshine Coast.

Thanks also to these awesome local businesses supporting these events with giveaway sustainable goodies, Onya, Bokashi Ninja, Surfing Green, Seastraws, Ever Eco, Boomerang Bags

Future talks take place on the second Tuesday night of each month, with a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

For more information, please email ambassadors@reefcheckaustralia.org.