Sunshine Coast Environment Council

03/09/2026

🌊 GREEN DRINKS: MARINE CONSERVATION 🐋

What does it take to create healthier oceans and safer beaches?

Join us for a special Green Drinks evening exploring marine conservation, coastal restoration and the future of our oceans.

🎤 Associate Professor Andrew Olds from the University of the Sunshine Coast will share insights from marine conservation projects across the Sunshine Coast, including wetland restoration and offshore reef biodiversity and conservation. Andrew will also explore research into the impacts of shark nets on marine wildlife across Queensland.

From wetlands and reefs to coastal wildlife and shark control, this will be a fascinating evening about the challenges facing our marine environment, and the practical solutions that can help create a healthier future for our oceans and our communities.

🌱 Green Drinks is a relaxed, informal networking event for people who care about the environment and want to connect, collaborate and create positive change.

📍 The Seed Pod, Mooloolah River Landcare
📅 Thursday 10 September 2026
⏰ 5.30pm – 7.30pm

🍛 Vegan curries and drinks available for purchase.

RSVPs are essential — come along, meet some great people and join the conversation about protecting our oceans, coastlines and marine wildlife. 🌊💚

RSVP Here: https://www.scec.org.au/green_drinks_sep2026

28/08/2026

🐦🌏 THE EASTERN CURLEWS HAVE ARRIVED!
August marks the return of one of Australia’s most remarkable migratory shorebirds.

The Eastern Curlew is the world’s largest migratory shorebird, growing up to 66 cm long and instantly recognisable by its dramatically down-curved bill.

💔 Listed as Critically Endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act, Eastern Curlew populations have declined dramatically.
After travelling more than 10,000 km from their northern breeding grounds, these incredible birds arrive in Australia exhausted and hungry. They rely on coastal wetlands, mudflats and estuaries to rest and refuel before their long journey north.

🌿🌊 The Pumicestone Passage is critical habitat.
Its intertidal mudflats, sandbanks and mangroves provide vital feeding and roosting areas for Eastern Curlews and many other migratory shorebirds. Queensland Government records have recorded thousands of Eastern Curlews using the Pumicestone Passage wetland.

But these birds face growing threats:
⚠️ Habitat loss and coastal development
⚠️ Disturbance from people, dogs and other activities
⚠️ Loss of feeding and roosting areas
⚠️ The emerging threat of H5 bird flu
🦠 H5N1 has now reached Australia and has been detected in wild seabirds, sadly including here on the Sunshine Coast

🐾 WHAT CAN YOU DO?
💚 Give shorebirds plenty of space to rest and feed.
🐕 Keep dogs under control and away from feeding and roosting birds.
🚫 Never touch sick or dead birds — keep children and pets away.
📱 Record, avoid and report sick or dead birds and wildlife:

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888
Biosecurity Queensland: 13 25 23
👉 Find H5 bird flu information from BirdLife Australia https://birdlife.org.au/h5-bird-flu-avoid-record-report/

🌿 Support protection of the wetlands and coastal habitats these extraordinary birds depend on.

After travelling thousands of kilometres to reach our shores, Eastern Curlews need safe places to rest, feed and recover.
The Pumicestone Passage and our coastal wetlands are critical habitat for threatened and migratory wildlife — not development zones.

💚 Protect the places Eastern Curlews depend on.
Image credit: Far Eastern Curlew. Robert Bush. 2026
Take Action for Pumicestone Passage - TAPP Inc
Wildlife Queensland - Sunshine Coast & Hinterland Branch
Sunshine Coast Council
Twin Nies

28/08/2026

What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful morning!

26/08/2026

The proposed expansion of the Glasshouse Mountains Quarry has potential to impact Mattters of National Environmental Significance including National Heritage listed values, EPBC listed threatened species and RAMSAR listed wetlands. SCEC is calling for an EPBC referral so these matters can be properly assessed. You can add your voice to the call via the email below.

ActionButton helps people take quick action to create powerful change.

26/08/2026

🌸Explore the wonder of wildflowers at Isabel Jordan Bushland Reserve! 🌿

Join the wonderful Wildlife Queensland - Sunshine Coast & Hinterland Branch tomorrow, 27 August from 9.30am, for a special wildflower experience as part of the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival 🌼🦋

Isabel Jordan was a pioneering member of SCEC and a fierce conservationist whose legacy lives on through the protection of this special reserve, home to rare coastal wet heath and wallum wildflowers.

🌿 Immerse yourself in this remarkable landscape, discover its unique flora and celebrate the legacy of a passionate local conservationist.

🌸 Tomorrow | 27 August 9.30am
📍 Isabel Jordan Bushland Reserve
🎟️ BOOK NOW: https://tinyurl.com/pfnf3zmx

🌼 Part of the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival

Come explore blooming beauty on our guided walk for the Wildflower Festival in Isabel Jordan Bushland Reserve.

21/08/2026

🌿 John Sinclair Memorial Lecture 2026 — The Legacy, The Future
SCEC is pleased to share an invitation to the 2026 John Sinclair Memorial Lecture, being held this Sunday 23 August from 3pm at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Hosted by FIDO (K’gari Defenders Organisation), this biennial event celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Dr John Sinclair AO and his tireless advocacy for the protection of World Heritage-listed K’gari and our natural environment.
🌏 This year’s theme, “The Legacy – The Future”, will explore John Sinclair’s remarkable contribution to conservation and K’gari, while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities for environmental protection.

The afternoon will feature:
🌿 Senator Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water
🌱 Spencer Hitchen, young conservationist and SCEC Youth Ambassador
💚 Reflections on John Sinclair’s enduring conservation legacy
🌏 A focus on the future of environmental leadership and advocacy
If you care about K’gari, conservation and protecting our natural environment, this promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking afternoon.
Come along, celebrate John Sinclair’s extraordinary legacy and hear about the future of conservation.
👇 See the flyer for event details and booking information.

19/08/2026

🌿 SCEC is pleased to share the invitation to attend the 2026 John Sinclair Memorial Lecture this Sunday 23 August at Mt-Cootha Botanic Gardens

We encourage everyone who cares for, or would like to learn more about World Heritage listed K’gari, conservation and the future of our natural environment to attend this special event, hosted by FIDO (K’gari Defenders Organisation).
Fraser Island Defenders Organisation - FIDO

A biennial event, the John Sinclair Memorial Lecture celebrates the remarkable legacy of Dr John Sinclair AO, whose tireless dedication and advocacy were instrumental in protecting K’gari and inspiring conservation efforts across Queensland and beyond.

This year’s theme, “The Legacy – The Future”, is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about John Sinclair’s invaluable contribution to conservation and K’gari, and to hear from Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland. The event will also feature young conservationist and SCEC Youth Ambassador Spencer Hitchen, bringing a focus to the future of environmental leadership.

For anyone passionate about K’gari, conservation and protecting our natural environment, this promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking afternoon.

We encourage you to come along, celebrate John’s extraordinary legacy, and hear about the challenges and opportunities for conservation into the future.
👇 See the flyer for event details and booking information.

06/08/2026

🚨 Take a stand against the State Development Bill!

The proposed State Development Bill could allow the Queensland Government to bypass key planning and environmental assessments, fast-track major developments, and sideline community consultation.

According to the Environmental Defenders Office - EDO
"Queensland’s proposed State Development Bill would hand extraordinary and largely unchecked powers to the Minister for State Development and the Coordinator-General to fast-track assessment of any hand-picked development — powers that threaten community rights, First Nations interests, private property and the environment. It is EDO’s view that the Bill should not be passed and instead for government go back to the drawing board"

That's not how decisions about Queensland's future and its environment should be made.

📍 Queensland Parliament House
📅 Friday 7 August
🕙 8.30am-10.30am

📣 Join Queensland Conservation Council and Lock The Gate Alliance and help protect our environment and our right to have a say.

👉 RSVP here:
https://www.queenslandconservation.org.au/push_back_state_development_bill

📣 Your voice matters. See you there!

Join us at Qld Parliament House with our friends at Lock The Gate to speak up against the dangerous State Development Bill.

30/07/2026

26/07/2026

🌳 What a fantastic National Tree Day! 💚
A huge thank you to everyone who joined Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) and Barung Landcare for a wonderful morning of forest planting.

Together, we planted 400 rainforest trees, creating a microforest—a small, diverse and densely planted forest of local native species. This innovative restoration method allows forests to establish and grow rapidly, improving biodiversity in the shortest possible time.

We were privileged to begin the day with a tour of Barung's first microforest, planted in 2020, and an inspiring talk by Barung's wonderful Cam Burton. It was incredible to see how quickly this restoration method has created a thriving forest.

Then it was time to get planting! Thanks to our amazing volunteers, another microforest is now taking shape. Over time it will improve biodiversity, provide seed for future restoration projects, and help build a more resilient landscape for the future.

Thank you to Barung Landcare for partnering with SCEC on this fantastic event, special thanks to Cam Burton, and to everyone who joined in this morning to help plant a forest. Your actions for nature are what make days like this possible.

National Tree Day is about more than planting trees, it's about growing healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and hope for the future. Together, we made a real difference.

Thank you to everyone who came along. We can't wait to see this new microforest flourish in the years ahead! 🌱🌿