As in July and August a slightly edited/abbreviated version of the main monthly update that is sent out by email is being posted here. Hopefully it will provide a more permanent reference for members, non-members and anyone wanting to know more about what we do.

September field trip: Cromarty wetlands : Sunday 28th September We have arranged a trip to the Wongaloo property, north of Giru, which lies at the heart of the Cromarty wetlands. 

Low tide = top time at Geoffrey Bay: We had a wonderful afternoon at Geoffrey Bay last month with a record turn-out of nearly 30 people. The day was so full that the report has overflowed into two blog posts. The usual write-up and photos are here and the species lists of corals, algae and a host of other critters, plus more photos, are all here.

July field trip report: I eventually managed to write up the report for our Rowes Bay/Jezzine excursion and you can read it here. As you will see another beautiful morning and a chance to explore some of those very special places that exist within coo-ee of the CBD.

Coming events:

1. Music for the Reef – Saturday 20th September: a NQCC fundraiser featuring great local musos, with nibbles, drinks and good company. Umbrella Studio 7-10pm 

2.Climate Action Day – Sunday 21st September: global action to coincide with the international climate change summit in New York. Watch out for details of the Townsville event.

Great Barrier Reef in the media: If you missed ABC’s 4 Corners program, The Battle for the Reef in real time or on iView I have a copy of the transcript, which I can email on request.

Radio National’s Offtrack also recently featured the Reef in the program John Busst, Ellison Reef and the birth of reef conservation.  Interviews and readings were recorded at the recent Ninney Rise conference at Mission Beach, where the battle for the Reef began, nearly half a century ago. 

Since these programs went to air there has been a glimmer of hope that NQ Bulk Ports may consider a land-based option for Abbot Point dredge spoil disposal – stay tuned. Meanwhile the 2014 Outlook Report for the GBR was released on 12th August. 

Call for photos: NQCC is looking for photos for the header of their blog, to add to the existing photos which appear sequentially as visitors move from page to page. They must be adaptable to the odd ‘letterbox’ format (about five times as wide as it is high) but requirements are otherwise broad: some relevance to the Conservation Council’s work and a minimum width of 940 pixels.

Please bear in mind that images have to be severely cropped to be used as headers since the required format is so different from that of any camera. If you have any that are suitable that you are willing to send to NQCC please get in touch with them.