News

The BioBlitz results are here and we are so excited to share them with you all!

The Springbrook BioBlitz was held on December 4, 5, 6 in 2020 where citizen scientists went out on a mission for 48 hours together with experts and scientists to gather data on our local biodiversity as well as hunting down the hidden treasurers of our Gold Coast Hinterland.

350 citizen scientist completed 47 surveys and enjoyed over 20 presentations and workshops to further their knowledge on our local flora and fauna.

This all resulted in:
- 645 species recorded throughout the weekend
- 80 significant species recorded (Vulnerable, Near threatened, Endangered, Critically Endangered, City Wide significant and Marine)
- We uncovered 4 undescribed species, 3 spiders and 1 vine. This means that they still need to through a rigorous process to be given a name.
- 3 range extensions. This means that they previously were only recorded in different states or completely different areas before our BioBlitz. These include an orchid, moss and spider species.
- 130 new species for the Gold Coast Flora and Fauna database. This means that they have been recorded before but have not been included into the corporate biodiversity database before. This is a really significant result and an amazing achievement by the citizen scientists.

We would like to thank our amazing volunteer crew that included over 50 people to make this event happen including; survey leaders, survey assistants, basecamp crew, our organising team and our partners and sponsors.

This event couldn't have happen without the following organisations and their support:
- Queensland Science City of Gold Coast@
- Glenn TOZER for Mudgeeraba & Hinterland (Division 9)
- Seqwater Regen Australia Bushnuts
- MRA Environmental Envirosphere Consulting Habitat Environment Management

We can't wait for our next BioBlitz which will be in Numinbah Valley on February 4, 5 & 6 - 2022.

Meaghan Scanlon MP Hugh Possingham Springbrook Wildlife Appreciation Group Australian Citizen Science Association

Photos by @ddwfauna & Erica Csekö Nolasco

#watergumcommunity #bioblitz #goldcoastbioblitz #newspecies #conservation #science #qldscience #citizenscience #citizenscientists #ACSA #SpringbrookNP #Springbrooknationalpark ... See more

Queensland is banning single use plastics!

The ban commences September 2021. If you would like to learn more, follow the link: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/management/waste/recovery/reduction/plastic-pollution/single-use-plastic-products-ban

If you are part of a not-for-profit organisation or a community group, you can attend a free workshop to help you adapt to the change.

The workshops will be in August on the Gold Coast and are provided by State Government and Boomerang Alliance. If you would like to attend, please email us at info@watergum.org

#plasticfree #qldplasticban #watergumcommunity #environment ... See more

The results of our 2020 Gold Coast BioBlitz are almost here! Stay tuned next week...

A special thank you to the @cityofgoldcoast data team for all their hard work collating this data.

Thank you to all our survey leaders and those who spent hours identifying species!

Thank you to our sponsors, without them, none of this would have been possible.

Sponsors Queensland Science @cityofgoldcoast Glenn TOZER for Mudgeeraba & Hinterland (Division 9) Regen Australia Seqwater Bushnuts

and Supporter sponsors @MRA environmental services Envirosphere Consulting @Habitat Environment Management ... See more

Get involved with plastic free July!

Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.

Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?

Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz and find out more here: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

#watergumcommunity #plasticfreejuly2021 #environment #conservation #movementforchange ... See more

Great initiatives by our member groups!

Tallebudgera Creek Environmental Park Cleanup is one of Watergum's newest member groups and they have a big task ahead of them cleaning up a very compromised habitat which is overrun with invasive weeds.

This location is close to Watergum's heart as it is one of our seagrass survey locations! All the more reason to help make this area pristine.

If you would like to get involved, follow the link below. We doubt there is a more beautiful location to spend a morning pulling weeds!

https://watergum.org/directory/tallebudgera-creek-environmental-park-cleanup/

#watergumcommunity #communityeffort #tallebudgeracreek #environment #seagrass ... See more

This week is NAIDOC Week!

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

#NAIDOCWeek2021 #watergumcommunity #celebrateculture ... See more

This week at Watergum

🐸 NaturallyGC Hotel for frogs - Wednesday7th of July
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/naturallygc-hotel-for-frogs-tickets-152960913209

🌿 NaturallyGC Wonderful Wetlands - Friday 9th of July
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/naturallygc-wonderful-wetlands-kids-workshops-tickets-133155709311

Have you seen our collection of platypus videos? Check them all out here: https://watergum.org/platypuswatch/

#watergum #watergumcommunity #cityofgoldcoast #naturallygc #environment #waterbugs #platypus #conservation #environmentaleducation #frogs #froghotel ... See more

Flashback to our 2021 Catchment Crawl!

What a great way to round up our events for the financial year, keep an eye on our facebook for more events to come next season.

We have lots of exciting things in store for you all, watch this space!

#catchmentcrawl #goldcoastbroadwater #environment #watergumcommunity ... See more

Fancy learning more about Marvellous Megabats?

Join Gecko Environment Council on Tuesday 6th of July to search for flying foxes, whilst learning some interesting facts about these amazing flying mammals! For children aged 5-9.

Don't forget to register!
https://gecko.org.au/geckoevent/marvellous-megabats/

#watergumcommunity #geckoenvironmentalcouncil #megabats #environment #environmentaleducation ... See more

Great initiatives from our member groups!

Tamborine Mountain Landcare Inc. have been super busy removing privet and other invasive trees from the spaces around the mountain's schools, setting a great example for the next generation!

Tamborine Mountain Landcare is funded by proceeds from the Piccabeen book shop, so make sure you pop in to grab a great read and support further restorative works.

#watergum #watergumcommunity #landcare #conservation #environment #tamborinemountainlandcare ... See more