Upskilling Sustainability

11/06/2026

🐸 The Frog Hilton: Part 2
After designing the perfect amphibian accommodation, it was time for Shane to open the doors.

Using a repurposed food-grade IBC container, Shane created a frog-friendly pond complete with native aquatic plants from Mooloolah River Landcare nursery, clean water, sheltered spaces, and a 12-volt solar-powered pump to keep everything healthy and thriving. A few native fire-tailed gudgeons were added to help manage mosquitoes and algae, and the Frog Hilton was officially ready for guests.

The best part? Habitat projects like this can be created at many different scales. Whether it's a frog pond, native garden, bird bath, or pollinator patch, every backyard can become a refuge for local wildlife.

🌱 Small actions can create big benefits for biodiversity.

💭 What could you add to your backyard to help native species feel at home?

🧰 Specs: Re-purposing an IBC cube, those common 1000-litre plastic storage containers, is an economical approach. Starting with a food-grade container, use an angle grinder to cut through the metal frame at about 400mm high. The plastic can be cut with a handsaw or, better still, a reciprocating saw. Using the end with the valve allows it to be drained for cleaning. Repurpose the other end as storage for bulk potting mix (see pic). Once cut, people often fit plastic tubing over the cut surface; this was initially done, but it looked terrible. So, Shane chose the overkill option and built a wooden enclosure. He filled the base with about an inch of clean river pebbles and added water. Placing an overflow about 2 inches above the top (see pic) prevents your Hilton from spilling over.

09/06/2026

🐸 Checking in to the Frog Hilton

If frogs are the ultimate hotel critics, Shane has been working hard to earn a five-star review.

A regular attendee at Upskilling Sustainability Initiative events, Shane recently set out to create the perfect backyard habitat for some very selective guests. Frogs need more than just water. They rely on healthy ecosystems, shelter from predators, native plants, and clean surroundings to thrive.

After an earlier attempt at building a frog "motel" attracted no visitors, Shane went back to the drawing board. Repurposing an old IBC cube, he created what can only be described as the Frog Hilton.

Will the guests check in?
Stay tuned for Part 2 to find out.

💭 What wildlife have you welcomed into your backyard habitat?

07/06/2026

🌊 World Oceans Day | 8 June

Tomorrow is World Oceans Day, a day to celebrate the ocean and reflect on its role in sustaining life on Earth - https://unworldoceansday.org

This year's theme, "REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean," invites us to think differently about how we connect with, learn from, and care for the world’s oceans.

Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are fortunate to live within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where our beaches, waterways and marine ecosystems are woven into our identity, wellbeing and future. The health of our ocean is deeply connected to the health of our communities.

At the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative, we believe that positive change begins with learning, conversation, and collective action. World Oceans Day is an opportunity to pause and ask:

💭 What might a new relationship with our ocean look like?

Would it mean listening more closely to nature? Making different choices in our daily lives? Supporting ocean science and conservation? Or creating stronger connections between people, place, and planet?

The official World Oceans Day Discussion Guide (link on website) offers inspiring questions and activities to help explore these ideas with friends, family, colleagues, and community groups.

As we work towards Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, let's take time to reimagine how we can contribute to a thriving ocean for future generations.

🌏 Learn.
🤝 Connect.
🌊 Reimagine.

In celebration and support of the life and livelihood that the ocean sustains, UN WOD 2021 will feature keynotes, panel discussions and presentations that spotlight biodiversity, latest oceanic discoveries, the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems, and more.

03/06/2026

🌏 World Environment Day | 5 June

This World Environment Day, we're reminded that creating a sustainable future starts with the choices we make today.

The 2026 campaign focuses on climate change and asks us to pay attention to the signals our planet is sending and respond with action. From protecting and restoring ecosystems to strengthening community resilience and supporting climate solutions, every action matters.

Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are lucky to live among stunning beaches, forests, rivers, and communities. Protecting these places takes more than awareness. It requires learning, collaboration, and action.

At the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative (USI), we believe that building sustainability skills and connecting people are among the most effective ways to create positive change.

Whether you're learning something new, getting involved in a local project, sharing knowledge, or helping others to take action, you are part of the solution. This World Environment Day, take one step for climate, nature, and your community.

🌱 Learn.
🤝 Connect.
🌏 Act.

https://www.worldenvironmentday.global

World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

25/05/2026

⭐ Big conversations about climate adaptation are happening across the Sunshine Coast, and we’re excited to see the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative involved in the journey.

Carmine Buss and Fien Van den Steen will support Sunshine Coast Council’s upcoming Climate Ready Community event at Nambour Library on Thursday 25 June, featuring The Adaptation Game (TAG), an interactive workshop designed to help communities explore real-world climate challenges together.

Through TAG, participants work through scenarios including heatwaves 🥵, storms ⛈️, flooding 🌊, and fires 🔥, while learning practical actions that can strengthen community resilience and preparedness.

We love seeing collaborations like this between Sunshine Coast Council, Sunshine Coast Libraries, and UniSC that connect learning, community engagement, and climate action in practical and accessible ways.

And this is only the beginning… we’re hoping to bring TAG to the University of the Sunshine Coast in the future.

Find out more – https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/whats-on/at-the-library/climate-ready-community
Book your place via Sunshine Coast Libraries - https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/environment/sustainability-and-climate-change/the-adaptation-game-tag-sunshine-coast

20/05/2026

Even rainy weather could not dampen the energy at this week’s Change Makers Lab event 🌿

Hosted in the beautiful Buranga Centre Garden, PhD student Taylor Berrett led an engaging outdoor discussion exploring the powerful connection between nature, social connection, stress, and resilience.

Despite the wet conditions, 14 attendees gathered under the fairy lights to reflect on how reconnecting with green spaces and with one another can help prevent burnout and support long-term wellbeing, particularly for those working and studying in sustainability-focused spaces.

Through open conversation and shared experiences, participants explored how humans are inherently connected to both nature and community, and why making time for both is essential for maintaining energy, perspective, and motivation in busy lives.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a warm and thoughtful atmosphere.

Events like these are exactly what the Upskilling Sustainability Initiative is about: bringing people together to learn, connect, and create positive impact within our community. 🌱

08/05/2026

🤔 Feeling overwhelmed or pulled in different directions?

This Change Makers Lab invites you to reconnect with nature and with each other to restore your energy, strengthen resilience, and stay aligned with your goals.

Join Taylor Berrett, PhD student, for a guided walk and interactive outdoor workshop on campus. Together, we’ll explore how time in nature can help regulate stress, build social connection, and support you to keep showing up for what matters, even when life gets busy.

Through shared experiences and simple, practical approaches, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and reconnected with yourself and a community of like-minded change-makers.

📅 Monday 18 May 2026
🕓 4:00–6:00pm
📍 University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Campus, Buranga Centre Garden (Building E)

Please wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, as this session will take place outdoors.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/from-stress-to-reset

We hope you can join us for this restorative and inspiring session, and thank you for helping spread the word throughout the wider UniSC and Sunshine Coast community.

28/04/2026

💡 From an idea in Bangkok to a growing community on the Sunshine Coast 🌞

20/04/2026

🌿 Upskilling Sustainability: Meet Jasmin 🌿

This week, we’re excited to introduce Jasmin Groves, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) student and recent nutrition graduate, as part of the UniSC Sustainability Collective.

Jasmin’s Honours research explores career pathways for nutrition and dietetics graduates, reflecting her broader passion for building more sustainable food systems. She is particularly interested in how we can support both planetary and human health together, recognising that these challenges are deeply interconnected.

Through her work with the Collective, Jasmin aims to make sustainability feel more within reach. She recognises that climate and sustainability issues can sometimes seem overwhelming, and she hopes to simplify them into practical, accessible steps for students across the University of the Sunshine Coast.

🌊 Fun fact: Jasmin has never been on a plane, and she jokes that it might reflect her love for the Sunshine Coast. When she’s not studying, you’ll often find her relaxing by the beach or at a local café.

✨ Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the people shaping sustainability at

20/04/2026

🌏✨ WEDFest 2026 is almost HERE! ✨🌏

Celebrate World Environment Day with a month long WEDFest of inspiring, hands-on, and community-driven events across the Sunshine Coast throughout June 💚

From learning to action — there’s something for everyone:

🌿 Workshops & forums
🌊 Conservation activities
🎶 Live performances
🚶‍♀️ Climate trails & guided walks
🍴 Food, music & more

This is your chance to connect, learn, and take action for our environment 🌳🐨

👉 Explore the full program & find your event:
https://www.scec.org.au/wedfest

Let’s come together this June to celebrate and make positive impact for the incredible environment we’re working to protect 🌏💫