Small things done now will be disproportionately important in decades to come.

NEXT MEETING   7pm Thursday 21st June at Sunnybank Hills library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

On 1st June the Australasian component of a research project called the Program for Planned Biodiversity Studies or PPBio was launched at Acacia Road picnic area. The aim is to collect, store and share biological information on a grand scale. The program began in Brazil and the next country to come on board will be Nepal. Karawatha will become part of an international network of long-term ecological research sites. Projects will cover numerous fields including vegetation, soils, amphibians, reptiles, birds, hydrology, social significance, vegetation biomass, fire and human impact on the interaction with natural areas.

A grid pattern has been placed over Karawatha with terrestrial transects at 250 metre intervals and at 50 metre intervals following water courses. Steel spikes are driven into the ground at these points to be relocated by metal detection and GPS methods. The plan is for researchers and students to go back to the same place on regular intervals and note similarities and changes to previous results. This long-term, replicated form of study eliminates the failures of past studies to have absolute comparisons over time, thus reducing the use of results from different areas and ecosystems to justify unscientific conclusions. Unlike information gathered by authorities or private companies, the data from these projects will be available to managers and the general public alike. This bypasses the limiting of access to data due to restrictions caused by commercial self-interest and secrecy related to future planning.

Our good friend Associate professor Jean-Marc Hero is Project Leader, and partners in the Karawatha project include Griffith University, the University of Queensland, Brisbane City Council and EPA Queensland. They are also part of the overall program to date which is projected to cover thirteen bioregions across Australia when fully operational. Marc gave the opening speech and was accompanied on the day by a solid group of researchers, most distinguished by their “gecko” shirts. BCC’s Councillor Helen Abrahams and the SEQ Catchments representative gave speeches and I spoke for the Society.

It was pleasing to see at the launch some who helped kick off KFPS, including Bernice Volz, Jane and Stan Cajdler, and Councillor Kevin Bianchi. Kevin along with Gail MacPherson and Jim Soorley were responsible for converting the community’s efforts into a functioning entity. Kevin actively promoted Jim’s concept of linking green spaces on the southside of Brisbane, an area we now know as the Karawatha-Greenbank Corridor. Committee-woman Vivienne Reddy also attended. Other BCC personnel in attendance included Councillor Geraldine Knap, Nick Clarke, the head of the Environment Branch with assistant Brad Wilson, Natural Area Coordinator Matt deGlas and Tom McHugh from Wildlife Movement Solutions. The Queensland Herbarium was represented by one of their most respected staff, John Neldner.

Everyone left satisfied and with a smile on their collective face as the feel-good launch was topped off by a sumptuous spread for lunch. This meal reminded me to recognize Margaret Tompson and her brother Alex for continuing to do such a good job of looking after the food duties at our Society outdoor functions. Their latest effort was our recent thank you to those who helped with the 293 Compton Road court case, particularly the Environmental Defender’s Office. Jane’s ‘castle cake’ is a must-repeat experience.

BCC GRANT- THANK YOU

Our grant application to the Brisbane City Council for $8,500 support for our operational needs for this year has been successful. This money gives us the flexibility to carry out the many varied activities with which we are currently involved. These include: a range of intense negotiations regarding threats to the Forest and its connectivity; public awareness displays; informative talks to community groups such as Probis, Rotary and anyone who asks; guided bush walks; catering; school involvement; bush care; plant propagation; web site; and ‘Wildlife Corridor Week’ - our annual community awareness event.

We are always on the look out for volunteers who would like to contribute some time to improve the quality of any of our activities, all of which are focused on safeguarding our natural environment.

BUSH WALK – Sunday 24th

The June bush walk will leave at 7am as usual from the Elizabeth Street Trinder Park entrance. Be prepared to see a few wallabies around the sub-coastal wet heath. If you take your camera along you may get a lucky snap.

RAINFOREST RESCUE

It is good to see that all over this country efforts are being made by many different groups and individuals to protect and safeguard our precious natural environment. In the Cape Tribulation area a recent announcement was made that a ninth property has been saved through the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project.

Lot 22 Camelot Close, Cape Tribulation is covered in lowland tropical rainforest. The protection of this property secures several threatened ecosystems. Initial surveys have identified 37 species of trees, 14 ferns, 7 palms, 23 shrubs and climbers and 2 cycads.

The 2.12 hectare property lies within an approved residential precinct and could have been developed for housing at any time without the purchase. Rainforest Rescue (www.rainforestrescue.org.au) is now liasing with the Queensalnd Environmental Protection Agency to have the land declared a Nature Refuge, ensuring that it is protected forever by an Act of Parliament.

The purchase and protection of the property not only saves this precious rainforest, it also prevents further impact from development. Settlement brings with it a host of threats ranging from introduction of predators to traffic issues and their effects on wildlife, as well as greater runoff impacts on the fringing reef systems.

With the successes being achieved by groups working throughout the country it is obvious that a great groundswell of concern is developing. This has been building up for many years and with continued effort will eventually reach a culmination where environmental considerations will be at the top of the agenda for every government. All those involved in any way with helping Karawatha Forest will be encouraged to know that they are contributing to something vast and enduring.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“ The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
Gaylord Nelson - former governor of Wisconsin, co-founder of Earth Day

DATES TO REMEMBER - JUNE

Report illegal activities to 3403 888

Fire Scar on Tree - Karawatha (Jane Cajdler, June 2007)