Original story by William Rollo, ABC News
Queensland researchers say environmental groups tasked with managing the state’s coastal ecosystems are critically under-resourced.
Reef Check Australia volunteer Deanna Hing with a sample of the rubbish collected in a land and sea clean-up. Photo: John McCutcheon/Sunshine Coast Daily
Australia’s coastal ecosystems are maintained by community-based natural resource management groups.
However, Alby Wooler from the Capricorn Coast Landcare Group says it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain unpaid workers.
“The volunteer base is not as good as it was eight, 10 years ago,” he said.
CQUniversity researcher Julian Reid is investigating the structures and functions of Government-funded coastal management groups.
He says most struggle with volunteer shortages and their resources are being over-stretched because of population growth, coastal development and climate change.
“The concern is how these environmental groups, if they’ll have the capacity to respond to these increased needs,” he said.
He says environmental conservation is among the least popular of volunteer activities.
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