Forum to focus on saving koalas

Locals who would like to know more about the latest research and conservation initiatives to protect koalas in the Moreton Bay region are invited to attend an upcoming community forum.

This will be the first significant collaboration between citizen scientists from the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Acton Group (ESRAG), Rehabilitate Educate Facilitate (REF) and environmental researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), with the forum to be held at the Deception Bay Environmental Hub on September 19.

Peter Row, who is a citizen scientist from Redcliffe, says everyone needs to do their part in protecting one of our nation’s most treasured species.

“Our iconic koalas are “endangered” - their numbers are declining, and their genetic diversity is diminishing,” Peter says.

“Hundreds of years of land cleared for timber, grazing, agriculture, industry, and urban development has destroyed their habitats.

“To protect these beautiful creatures, we need to protect their habitats from destruction and fragmentation.

“As part of these forums, our presenters will share their scientific knowledge on environmental sustainability topics.”

Dr Katrin Hohwieler, who worked with the Detection Dogs for Conservation to look at the impact of man-made habitat fragmentation, reflected in the genetics of increasingly smaller and isolated remnant koala populations as part of her PhD, will be the guest speaker.

She is also a member of the UniSC Marine and Terrestrial Megafauna research cluster and is currently undertaking further research into new and innovative methods for other threatened species.

“We are very lucky to have UniSC onboard, and we are very excited to host Dr Katrin as the first of several scientific researchers who will talk with us about their favourite animals and plants,” Peter says.

The program will include an update on environmental projects and events in Moreton Bay, a local citizen science presentation about the birds of Hays Inlet, Dr Katrin’s keynote presentation, a Q and A session, as well as an informal discussion, meet the presenter, and refreshments.

“If you always wanted to know about something but were afraid to ask, take the opportunity to converse with Katrin one-on-one later in the evening. Our forums are more than just presentations,” Peter says.

This will be the first of several planned community forums over the coming months, which Peter hopes will encourage people to act.

“We will be encouraging the people attending to take action - that is, talk with their family and friends, and talk with their government representatives at all levels to ensure that land use is managed with minimal impact on our native flora and fauna,” Peter explains.

“We can do more together than we can apart. Community awareness is a start. Some attendees may want to be hands-on and help with our various projects —walk the walk, having talked the talk.”

Subsequent events will be held on:

• October 17: Talking about Kangaroo Physiology by Jasmin Reyne from UniSC

• November 21: Talking about Dolphin Ecology by Dr Alexis Levengood from UniSC

Event overview

Date: Thursday, September 19

Time: 7-9pm

Address: Deception Bay Environmental Hub, located at 7 Joseph Crescent, Deception Bay

RSVP: Attendees should register with Bob Crudgington (REF) by phoning 0487 770 087 or emailing [email protected]