May 222014
 

Original story by Judith Kerr, Bayside Bulletin

MUD, mossies and the threat of rain did not deter a band of nature lovers taking to Tingalpa Creek for a day inspecting life in the mangroves.
Healthy Waterways connect to your creek week-  Tim Roe from the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre skippers a boat full of people along Tingalpa Creek, Thorneside. Photo: Chris McCormack

Healthy Waterways connect to your creek week- Tim Roe from the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre skippers a boat full of people along Tingalpa Creek, Thorneside. Photo: Chris McCormack

Wildlife Preservation Society organised the information tour as part of Connect to Your Creek Week, which started on Monday, May 19.

The group was given a comprehensive guide to mangroves and the people who monitor, map and manage them.

Since 2012, citizen scientists have collected mangrove data in Tingalpa Creek, and MangroveWatch scientists have analysed and reported on it.

MangroveWatch scientists gave a presentation on the importance of mangroves and Wildlife Queensland, which runs community-based monitoring programs, thanked the volunteers.

MangroveWatch coordinator Debra Henry said collected data was shared with officers from Brisbane and Redland councils.

“This was the first time we have organised such a tour and it proved such a popular success, we plan to hold another next year,” Ms Henry said.

“Promoting the mangroves in this way encourages people to protect them and we hope the valuable information gathered will be considered by the councils.”

Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre’s Tim Roe skippered the boat Janjari up the creek.

Mr Roe and his team were announced finalists in this year’s Healthy Waterways Sustainable Education category for Mangrove Watch work with school students on Tingalpa Creek.

Finalist in the Healthy Waterways Volunteer of the Year category Geoffrey Redman was also on the tour to answer any questions.

Winners in all Healthy Waterways categories will be announced on June 20.

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