Friends of Mary Cairncross Association Inc

02/10/2026

Closing soon: Wild HeART Student Art Prize 2026 ⏳

Time is running out to enter our annual natural illustration competition for 5 - 18yr olds. Entries must be in by Monday 5th October.

Read important details and submit online via:
https://botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/whats-on/wild-heart-student-art-prize

This example was created by Gabe, winner of the under 13yrs category with his beautiful Paradise riflebird and orchid artwork - inspired by a visit to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

We can't wait to see this year's entries and celebrate the finalists at an outdoor exhibition throughout summer at our sister site, Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.

What's your favourite Australian animal, plant or fungi?
Get creative and enter 💚Wild HeART💚 this weekend!

02/10/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd9036tjNNN/?img_index=9&stkn=MTNlMmNjeHV1eGR2ZA==

30/07/2026

Are you interested in the latest (ecological) update on the Council's Sunshine Coast Ecological Park (SCEP), being developed on our doorstep? This Park is of significant importance to the future protection of our much-loved Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. You are welcome to come to this FREE talk on Saturday 15 August @ 10am (morning tea at 9:30am). See the link in the comments for more information:

30/07/2026

11/06/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZEmMrQGapc/?igsh=MXEyZmQ5cmtwNTB2dA==

28/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1aGUni2nyN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Dark Sky Reserve is going to happen! Thanks Dr Ken Wishaw for this fabulous initiative! And we are grateful to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for their commitment to our environment.

16/01/2026

Did you know that February is "Find a Frog February”.
Find a Frog in February citizen science program has been running each year since 2017 and is provided by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee. It supports the communities of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie and Fraser Coast Regional Council areas through increased awareness of our local frogs, their habitat needs, the threats they face and the actions we can all take to ensure their well-being long into the future. Find a Frog in February participants have contributed tens of thousands of frog records to the Queensland WildNet database where it is accessed for research, education and decision making for land and water management. As our frogs become more and more vulnerable to environmental changes, it is vital that we maintain a vigilance as to what is happening to species’ distributions and abundances.
Find out more at “https://mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february/?utm_source=sunshine%2Bcoast%2Bcouncil&utm_medium=website”

10/01/2026

We discovered microbes in bark ‘eat’ climate gases.
WOW, another reason to preserve our Forest.
https://theconversation.com/we-discovered-microbes-in-bark-eat-climate-gases-this-will-change-the-way-we-think-about-trees-269612?fbclid=IwY2xjawPO0YBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0a0Y0NEN1UGVTQXN4cmd4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHh8_yN68GCO37aw_ULycNxB7sEItfjczIdn4gBZV7nOWeHC_nEe9YFk0NVsw_aem_g8dQ89paKR0J5udDkcl3OQ

26/12/2025

Here is the information for our February guest speaker - Dr Ken Wishaw.
Please see attached flyer for the details - and below for a bit more information.
Bookings - register now on this link
https://events.humanitix.com/half-the-park-is-after-dark-or-mary-cairncross-scenic-reserve-or-dr-ken-wishaw
and you will be sent a reminder closer to the event (we need to know numbers for catering).
Please share with your friends - this is a public event.

HALF THE PARK IS AFTER DARK | Dr Ken Wishaw

M.B.B.S., F.A.N.Z.C.A., A.F.H.E.A. Grad Cert Science (Astronomy)

Ken is the instigator of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council project to create an International Dark Sky Reserve in our hinterland, including the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. He is a founding board member of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, the primary advisory body to all levels of government on light pollution matters and was recognised for his national and global actions by being named the Dark Sky Defender of 2024 by Dark Sky International. He is also the current Sunshine Coast Senior Citizen of the year. Other roles include:

Honorary Senior Fellow & Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Committee Member and Maleny Observatory convenor
Brisbane Astronomical Society www.bas.asn.au Dark Sky Ambassador
International Astronomical Union member
Founding Board Member Australasian Dark Sky Alliance www.australasiandarkskyalliance.org

Darkness is a vital ingredient in a healthy biosphere, and a healthy Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Light pollution harms wildlife by disorientation, restriction of habitat, and creates an imbalance of predator prey relationships. Pollination of many species of plants relies on nocturnal foragers. Light pollution also impacts our own health and the starry night sky.

The chief obstacle in taming this pollutant is lack of awareness, because the solutions are simple and instantaneous. All attendees will become experts on how to mitigate light pollution without living in the gloom.

The Obi Obi valley is the last place in coastal Southeast Queensland that is not severely affected by light pollution and the proposed International Dark Sky Reserve is aimed at preserving this for future generations.

20/12/2025

Warm festive wishes to all FOMCA members — may your season be filled with joy, gentle moments, and nature’s wonder. Whether you’re sharing time with friends, enjoying a little quiet, or taking a restorative walk beneath the rainforest canopy, we hope you find plenty of reasons to smile. May the days ahead bring lightness, laughter, and the simple happiness of birdsong, fresh air, and green places. Thank you for all you do to support Mary Cairncross Reserve, and here’s to a bright, safe, and uplifting year ahead.