Noosa Parks Association Friday Environment Forum

16/03/2026

Our next Friday Environment Forum is on March 27, 2026
Updates in Koala Research-Dr Romane Cristescu UniSC

Dr Romane Cristescu, from Detection Dogs for Conservation at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is a veterinarian and conservation ecologist with a wide range of interests - all centred around this single and complex question: “how can we best help wildlife in a world dominated by humans?”

As part of understanding how wildlife negotiates the increasingly anthropogenic landscape, she has focused on developing new methodologies including detection dog and drone-mounted thermal camera survey methods, non-invasive molecular analyses (genetic, pathogens, and many markers measured in scats) and innovative technologies to monitor movement - both ear tag and collar based. At Friday Environment Forum on March 27th, Romane will discuss these latest updates in koala research.

Romane states, “I believe that robust science is necessary to support good decision making, and I am especially keen to test that legislation is grounded in science and effectively delivering conservation outcomes.” She hopes that her research can be transformed into informed and effective policy, investments and management actions. Romane also works with the community to deliver impactful citizen science.

Come along to Friday Forum on March 27 to learn about the growth of the Detection Dogs for Conservation team and how their research encompasses landscape ecology, wildlife disease, conservation genetics, movement, community empowerment, innovation for conservation along with koala welfare, in partnership with wildlife rescue groups.

🗓️ Friday, March 27th, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Dr Romane Cristescu with a Detection Dog for Conservation, in the aftermath of the devastating megafires in 2020. Photo by Kye McDonald

10/03/2026

Our next Friday Environment Forum is on
March 13, 2026
COCONUT - The World's Wonder Plant
John Lauritz

One South East Asian proverb states; “There is a different use for coconuts for every day of the year” and many people call it "the tree of life"
At the Friday Forum on March 13th, John Lauritz will use his experience of visiting a coconut plantation on a small island in the Philippines to discuss harvesting techniques of coconuts and how the different products are made – after all, there are over 20 on our supermarket shelves! John will also explore the life cycle, propagation and distribution of coconuts – including some interesting Australian history. He will mention the many diseases and finally look at the economics and impact on world trade, particularly as 50% of the existing palms only produce 30 nuts per year.
Everyone is welcome to learn more about this amazing plant.
🗓️ Friday, March 13th, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 What is this guy collecting in a coconut palm? (It's not coconuts!)

05/03/2026

Our next Friday Environment Forum is on
March 13, 2026

COCONUT - The World's Wonder Plant
John Lauritz

With the explosion of usage and natural benefits, coconuts are now taking the world by storm. Grown throughout the tropics for thousands of years, coconut palm has and still is producing building materials for houses, boats, roofs, sails, ropes, charcoal and clothing. Heart of palm and coconut toddy are prized. The nut itself is a source of coconut water and copra, which is used to make milk, cream, flour and oil.
In fact, one South East Asian proverb states; “There is a different use for coconuts for every day of the year”.

At the Friday Forum on March 13th, John Lauritz will use his experience of visiting a coconut plantation on a small island in the Philippines to discuss harvesting techniques of coconuts and how the different products are made – after all, there are over 20 on our supermarket shelves! John will also explore the life cycle, propagation and distribution of coconuts – including some interesting Australian history. He will mention the many diseases and finally look at the economics and impact on world trade, particularly as 50% of the existing palms only produce 30 nuts per year.

Everyone is welcome to learn more about this amazing plant.

🗓️ Friday, March 13th, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Transport of coconut using carabao by John Lauritz

24/02/2026

Our Next Friday Environment Forum is on Feb 27, 2026
Project Manta: Biology & Ecology of Manta Rays in Australia

Professor Kathy Townsend from UniSC is a leading marine biologist known for her pioneering research on manta rays. As the lead academic for Project Manta, she has spent 19 years uncovering the biology, behaviour and habitat use of mobulid rays, building one of the world’s most comprehensive long‑term datasets on these species. Her work combines advanced scientific methods with the powerful contributions of citizen scientists, whose sightings and photographs have helped reveal migration patterns, key aggregation sites and surprising new discoveries.
Kathy is also a founding and board member of the Manta Foundation, a non-government organisation dedicated to manta ray research, conservation, and public engagement. At the Friday Forum on February 27th, Kathy will share insights into the basic biology of mobulid rays, highlight the impact of community‑driven science, and showcase the major discoveries that Project Manta team has achieved over nearly two decades.

Come along to learn the wonders of this majestic animal.
🗓️ Friday, Feb 27, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee

Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Kathy Townsend taking a DNA sample. Photo by Amelia Armstrong

13/02/2026

One of our NPA volunteers as well!

08/02/2026

Our first Friday Environment Forum for 2026 is on this Friday,
Feb 13th is "Birds and Birding in India" with Ken Cross.
Ken will take an in-depth look at the birds, mammals, and habitats of India, along with personal experiences from the field.
Ken has just returned from his sixth birding trip to India and he says, “India is a truly mega-diverse nation, home to more than 1,300 bird species and an extraordinary range of charismatic mammals such as tigers, leopards, and elephants. It is a country of deep history, immense cultural richness, and remarkable natural landscapes.”
Come along to Friday Environment Forum on February 13th to learn why Ken keeps returning. Be warned: by the end, you may find yourself inspired to join him on his next Indian safari! Everyone is welcome to our forum.
🗓️ Friday, Feb 13, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Our first forum is free for NPA members-just bring proof of your membership for 2026!
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 A tiger relaxing in Ranthambore National Park by Ken Cross

21/01/2026

Our first Friday Environment Forum for 2026 is on
Feb 13th
Birds and Birding in India with Ken Cross

Ken Cross has just returned from his sixth birding trip to India. What is it about this country that attracts Ken? He proclaims, “India is a truly mega-diverse nation, home to more than 1,300 bird species and an extraordinary range of charismatic mammals such as tigers, leopards, and elephants. It is a country of deep history, immense cultural richness, and remarkable natural landscapes.”

Ken Cross is the convenor of BirdLife Sunshine Coast, an enthusiastic world birder and a happily retired secondary school teacher. He has led birding tours across Australia and internationally.

In this presentation, Ken will take an in-depth look at the birds, mammals, and habitats of India, along with personal experiences from the field. Come along to Friday Environment Forum on February 13th to learn why Ken keeps returning. Be warned: by the end, you may find yourself inspired to join him on his next Indian safari! Everyone is welcome to our forum.

🗓️ Friday, Feb 13, 2026
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Our first forum is free for NPA members-just bring proof of your membership for 2026!

Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 White-throated kingfisher by Ken Cross

24/11/2025

Join the Friday Environment Forum on 28 November to hear Tony Wellington reveal the fascinating and unexpected mating behaviours of Noosa’s wildlife. From same-s*x swan couples to animals that eat their s*xual partners, nature’s love life is full of surprises.
Everyone is welcome to our last Friday Forum of the year.

🗓️ Friday, Nov 28th, 2025
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Tony photographing a bearded dragon by Judy Ditter. The s*x of developing bearded dragons is determined by the ambient temperature, not their genes.

16/11/2025

Our next Friday Environment Forum is on Nov 28
Tony Wellington will give us an insight into the "Amazing Mating Behaviour of our Local Fauna"

Local author, wildlife photographer and former mayor Tony Wellington will speak about the astonishing mating habits of Noosa wildlife, from birds and mammals to invertebrates. While we humans attempt to project our preconceived notions of appropriate behaviour onto wildlife, nature often refuses to conform to our expectations.

Which species leave all the parenting to the males? Do same-s*x swan couples make better parents? Why do some reptiles, amphibians and birds change their s*xual orientation regardless of their genetic programming? How do echidnas manage to mate? Is it OK to eat your s*xual partner?

Come along to our last Friday Environment Forum for the year on November 28th and be astonished as Tony lifts the veil on the secret lives of our non-human neighbours.

🗓️ Friday, Nov 28th, 2025
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Many dragonfly mate on the wing, while males have numerous strategies to ensure the offspring are theirs alone. Photo by Tony Wellington

13/11/2025

Please make a submission before November 17th!!!

🌿 Protect What Matters 🌿
Just a few minutes of your time today can help save the Pumicestone Passage and protect the Northern Inter-Urban Break green belt from inappropriate and high-impact development.
Your voice makes a difference— once it’s gone, it’s gone forever💚

Take action https://tinyurl.com/2t456z5k

Take Action for Pumicestone Passage - TAPP Inc
Caloundra Residents Association Wildlife Queensland - Sunshine Coast & Hinterland Branch OSCAR Inc BIEPA - Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc.
Sunshine Coast Council Queensland Environment Queensland Conservation Council Andrew Powell MP David Crisafulli MP Cr Maria Suarez, Division 9 Cr Tim Burns Division 3 Cr David Law - Division 10

10/11/2025

The next Friday Environment Forum on November 14 will feature Dr. Sarah Pye, an award-winning author and traveller, who will present “Borneo, Bears and Books.” Dr. Pye will discuss her collaboration with Malaysian ecologist Dr. Wong Siew Te, focusing on the conservation of sun bears and the challenges they face, such as poaching, the illegal pet trade, and habitat loss. The forum will include a multimedia presentation highlighting the importance of tropical rainforests and ways individuals can help protect them.
Dr. Pye is also the author of several children’s books about wildlife, including “Saving Sun Bears” and her latest, “Curious Kai asks Why.” Her books will be available for purchase at the event.

🗓️ Friday, Nov 14th, 2025
⏰ 10am morning tea, 10:30am -12pm forum
📍 NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
🎟️ $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door includes morning tea/coffee
Join the bird observers at 8.30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.
More info: https://noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
📸 Dr Sarah Pye