NICA’s “Tread Lightly” river project excursions are possible, thanks to our QLD Government Engaging Science Grant.
We had previously decided to support Sunshine Coast Environment Council SCEC’s plan to extend World Environment Day to a month’s activities. Our contribution was to be a river excursion “Islands in the River” at the end of the month. Unfortunately due to lack of time for bookings we had to withdraw from that event. Instead of cancelling, we decided to pivot, taking 16 Bushcarers who have been part of Sand Island rehabilitation works since 2010…. to talk about other interesting and relevant topics.
We discussed the early settlers’ histories and their uses of the 7 islands, including how Ross Island which had a market garden, became part of Noosa Sound. Mullet caught in Lake Weyba and were barrowed to the Gympie goldfields. Other topics discussed included wildlife (marine, bird, animals) dependent on the islands and the estuarine ecosystems, mangroves, saltmarsh, oysters, water quality testing, Shorebirds, Lake Weyba.
We spoke about fatalities caused by abandoned Crab-pots, non-degradable bait bags, filaments of rope, chip packets, microplastics. And we saw an enormity of weedy Asparagus lining Weyba Creek banks, displacing native vegetation and dropping red berries into the water to be spread by the tides.
It was a freezing morning, but we found a sheltered area for morning tea. Hot soup or mulled wine would have been perfect, but the tea was pretty good.
