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. Each month we have a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

This month, our speaker is Barry McGovern is a PhD student at the Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at the The University of Queensland - UQ. His PhD is looking at the information content in bottlenose dolphin vocalisations in Moreton Bay.

Acoustics is the primary mode of communication between bottlenose dolphins, and they have developed highly sophisticated methods of signal transfer. Barry's study aims to investigate the use of these signals in wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, determine the information encoded within the signals and the social context in which they are used.

Identifying what information is contained in the dolphins vocal signals is an initial step in identifying threats and developing proper mitigation strategies. His talk will give a background on the information he is trying to identify, the methods he employs, some preliminary results and what they mean in the wider picture of cetacean conservation.

6pm: Bar opens
6:30: Grab a seat (they go fast!)
6:45: Talk kicks-off
7:30: Pizza & good sea-minded conversation!

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

As the venue is a bar, Under 18's are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. A 5 year gap is necessary, ie. 17-yr-old can not be accompanied by a 18-yr-old.

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

Facebook event page here!

Come and join Reef Check Australia and friends at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments. Each month we have a new, interesting and engaging speaker.

This month we'll hear from Jessica McCordic from the Pacific Whale Foundation about 'Studying the Humpback Whales of Hervey Bay: Whales Need Rest Areas, Too!'

Jessica McCordic is a Research Assistant at Pacific Whale Foundation, where she manages the South Pacific humpback whale catalog. Jessica will present various research projects currently underway at Pacific Whale Foundation regarding the East Australian population of humpback whales, particularly mothers and calves in Hervey Bay.

Each year, Australian humpback whales complete one of the longest migrations in the world, traveling from tropical breeding areas to Antarctic feeding areas. During their southward migration toward Antarctica, a portion of whales veer off of the main migration corridor along the coast to visit Hervey Bay, a rest area of sorts for these animals. The bay itself is relatively sheltered and shallow, making it an ideal habitat for whales to rest and socialize as well as for mothers to care for their new calves.

Come along and learn about the humpback whales that pass by our Sunshine Coast coastline!

The talk will be held in the Seal Stadium at SEALIFE Mooloolaba, on Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba. Come along 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 (door close at 6.40!)
6:30: Talk kicks-off
7:15: Pizza & good sea-minded conversation!

Entry is $2 (which gets you pizza at the end).

RSVP at the Facebok Event Page

Come and join Reef Check Australia at the Gold Coast’s biggest tree planting day!!

This annual event engages hundreds of community volunteers to rehabilitate the health of the city’s natural environment through the planting of 10,000 trees.

Enjoy live music with local bands The Twine and The Lyrical Solo, food trucks, wildlife shows, indigenous workshops, native plant sales, interactive environment stalls and kids nature art and craft. And of course - come and have a chat with the Reef Check team who will be there on the day.

This event is delivered by the Gold Coast Catchment Association and supported by Division 2 Councillor William Owen-Jones and City of Gold Coast.

To find out more, or register your interest, check out the Facebook event page.