Queensland Science Network

https://lnkd.in/g4hj8xvh

SA Government #citizenscientists are being called on to help researchers count the state’s koala population as part of a national program aimed at better protecting the iconic marsupial. The 2024 SA Great Koala Count (external site) kicks off this Saturday 16 November at Belair National Park and the state and federal governments are encouraging residents to participate in the week-long survey. People can take part using the CSIRO’s Koala Spotter app (external site)  which allows everyone to record and monitor koalas in their local area. Using Koala Spotter is easy: if you see a koala, record its location in the app, try to snap a photo if possible, and then simply press 'done’ to submit the entry. The data is fed directly into the $10 million National Koala Monitoring Program (external site) (NKMP), which is funded by the Australian Government and led by the CSIRO. https://lnkd.in/gcyEgPmR

It was fantastic to be interviewed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and my contribution and quote for this story is below: Adam Smith, an adjunct associate professor with James Cook University who was not involved in the expedition, said Pavona clavus was a "giant" of the ocean that could live for hundreds of years. He said the coral discovered in Solomon Islands would be a "cornerstone" for its local environment. "It's a bit like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or the Opera House, to Sydney. A coral such as this would be really notable for that area and all the marine life in that area," said Dr Smith, who is also chief executive of consultancy Reef Ecologic.

A consortium of partners tackling Mary River flood recovery and riverine restoration, including Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG), Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) and Alluvium Consulting, recently completed three major streambank remediation sites on the Mary River and its tributaries. Three of the five project sites have been completed as part of phase one: 1. Elaman Creek reach: Located along Elaman Creek in the Upper Mary River Catchment, this site experienced significant bank erosion due to meander migration during the 2022 floods, resulting in streambanks of 3-5 meters high. 2. Obi Obi Site: Situated about 11.5 km upstream from its confluence with the Mary River, this site had a 3-6-meter-high left bank consisting of exposed sandy soil. 3. Elliot Site: Located in the Kenilworth region, this site featured an unstable vertical bank 4-6 meters high, stretching along 400 metres of stream. The Mary River Streambank Remediation Program has helped repair areas of significant erosion and sediment loss by stabilising banks and adding deep rooted native begetation back into the system. This program is supported through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA). Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) are triggered in response to severe weather events, and in this case activated from the event in Queensland during 2021-2022, which led to unprecedented rainfall (1800mm) and Gympie’s highest flood peak since 1893. BMRG were successful in their grant application for recovery assistance in the Mary River catchment under the DRFA. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exA2j5NM

And then it was over – thanks to the many involved for a wonderful discussion between a progressive academic, a conservative politician and a leading arts practitioner, three very different perspectives, moderated by a prize-winning journalist. Starting with why the arts are important, they dipped deep into principles and experience of arts funding and other practicalities, and the way forward for different forms of the arts in an ever-changing cultural context. More to follow. A teaser: it would be better to go looking for young musicians unknown outside Western Sydney than commission any more operas from established Australian composers, whoever is paying the piper. A Big Dialogue: The State of the Arts in The Lucky Country - Who Cares? Why Bother? Wed 13 Nov, Canberra Australian Academy of the Humanities Inga Davis | Sophie Chessell | Abra Pressler | Fred D'Agostino Kelly Burke | Ian Walker | Dr Karen Hands | Lyndon Terracini Murray Hancock #BetterDiscussions #BeyondDebate #BridgingDivides #ArtsPolicy #ArtsFunding #luckycountry #canberra #canberraevents

#poor #adaptive #management in #Queensland #csg # mining will result in #subsidence and #drainage #changes

#induced #earthquakes produced by #oilandgasindustry https://lnkd.in/gpuuw3kQ

#methane #emissions

#clever #country

#technology #failure #3g