Noosa Integrated Catchment Association in Tewantin, Queensland | Environmental conservation organisation

Noosa Integrated Catchment Association

Locality: Tewantin, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 5449 9650

Address: Doonella House, 52 Doonella Street 4565 Tewantin, QLD, Australia

Website: www.noosariver.com.au/index.php

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• Non-profit organisation
• Environmental conservation organisation

24.01.2022 When the weeds recede. A team of 10 experienced NICA volunteers braved the heat today to extract more bags of invasive weeds from the Noosa river mouth area. Infestations of Corky passion vine, Gloriosa lilly, Cobblers peg, European sea rocket and more recently an outbreak of Flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) are slowly giving way to a riot of endemic native species, many now in flower. A reminder this work is being done under close supervision, mindful of the migratory and resident shorebirds frequenting the area. # NICA #Noosa River #HLW #shorebirds

23.01.2022 The fire destruction of K’gari (Fraser Island) is hard to comprehend. This was a deliberately lit, illegal fire. No one can go though another season of our co...untry burning. Be fire smart. Report any suspicious activity. Be vigilant. Australia will take decades to recover from the fires at the end of last year through to February this year. The loss of wildlife? Populations may never recover.

21.01.2022 Where would you rather be this time next year? Whether you're a beginner or an expert photographer, the 2022 BirdLife Photography Biennial Conference has somet...hing for you! Next year's theme is 'Inspiring Bird Photographers' and the conference will be held on the Gold Coast, QLD, in the Mantra at Sharks Events Centre and Hotel, from 2122 May 2022. There's a great line up of renowned photographers including Jonathon Harrod, Georgina Steytler Photography, Duade Paton Photography, Mark Rayner, Claire Greenwell, Craig Greer, Jon Norling and many other presenters. They'll be covering a wide range of topics designed to cater for those just starting out in bird photography, as well as advanced photographers. So, save the date, register now and buy a ticket here: https://blpbc.birdlifephotography.org.au/tickets/ The 2022 BirdLife Photography Biennial Conference is generously sponsored by Destination Gold Coast. Red-necked Avocet by Nathan Watson

21.01.2022 Here in Noosa, our sharp eyed bird spotter Allen photographed this Whistling Kite, visiting but not disturbing a little Pied Cormorant chick on its nest.

20.01.2022 Some great recent footage of the Noosa river mouth, thanks to Fishing Noosa https://youtu.be/R34oNlZaLBY

20.01.2022 Have your say on shaping the environment of South East Queensland and go into the draw to win one of four $250 vouchers. We want to make sure that #firstn...ations, #aboriginal and #torresstraitislander peoples are represented in this important survey for the region. Anyone can be involved and your answers will help identify challenges and priority actions to protect and restore the region’s natural assets (e.g. air, water, soil, and native vegetation). We want to maintain South East Queensland’s status as an icon for its natural wealth, beauty, liveability and people. It is important that we hear from as many people as possible to ensure we are acting on the most current information and responding to changing circumstances. Take the survey here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com//b4f00aa7b2084841801fdc30cdea

19.01.2022 As part of World Environment Day, join NICA on this boat trip to the sand island in the Noosa River estuary on Tuesday. The regeneration of this important shore bird habitat has been a long term NICA project, supported by Noosa Council and Healthy Land & Water.

18.01.2022 NICA is working actively with Noosa Council to help identify the species / source / extent / drivers of algae accumulations in the Noosa river / Laguna bays / open beaches as part of the Hincksia Sordida initiative. Numerous algae samples have been sent for analysis in addition to ongoing testing of nutrient levels at points around the river system - a possible driver of blooms. Point source of the current blooms - oceanic or estuarine - still to be conclusively determined. Thanks to Tye at @DroneIQ.au for capturing the attached footage of the bloom's extent (Monday) up Weyba Creek, along the main channel and north/south of the river mouth out into Laguna Bay. More work to do. #NICA #Noosa Council #Noosa River

18.01.2022 Fabulous encounters with FOUR Eastern Ground Parrots yesterday at Cooloola. In 50 years of watching this fantastic species, I've never experienced anything like this before. More here: http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com//ground-parrots-gal

18.01.2022 All in a day's work for NICA's volunteer river rangers! They collected 4 bags of rubbish, including weeds, food and bait containers, cans, bottles, timber, fishing line and a rubbish bin. Thanks to Roger and Richard for the report and photos.

17.01.2022 Two channel-billed cuckoos flew over the walkway I was ambling along on Sunday, next to Kedron Brook. They alighted in a cadaghi tree, scattering all sorts of s...maller birds into the air in alarm. When I walked over and looked up, I found them engaged in some kind of play or courtship behaviour, with one of the birds waving a piece of bark around in its bill, keeping it just out of reach from the other bird. Their engagement with each other allowed me to approach closer than I usually can with this wary species, and I enjoyed the moment a lot. This interaction is similar to the courtship behaviour noted for the species, where the male offers the female an insect meal before copulation. It could also just be a moment of light-hearted play, which would be fitting for these clever birds. While crows are often considered to be the brainiacs of the bird world, channel-billed cuckoos routinely deceive crows when they sneak eggs into their nests, so what does that say about cuckoo intelligence?

14.01.2022 NICA was pleased to host the first event of SCEC's 2021 WED calendar this week. The group took to the Noosa River on Tuesday, to enjoy the autumn weather, visit key migratory shorebird habitat around the frying pan and hear more on NICA's efforts to conserve this rich area. Not unusually, several species of migratory shorebirds were still here foraging amongst our resident species. Thanks to Sunshine Coast Environment Council for arranging a wonderful outing.

13.01.2022 NICA's "IN-KIND" portrait series by Yanni van Zijl - our next volunteer is "An Urban Wildlife Gardener". Whether assisting our Bushcare groups or helping homeowners transform their gardens in native refuges.

13.01.2022 'The dark side of Noosa'; what you need to know about Noosa's wastewater treatment plant. Thanks to Desire for organising the recent visit of NICA members. https://noosariver.com.au/the-dark-side-of-noosa/'

13.01.2022 The #AussieBirdCount is on this week, what have you found so far? This is a great resource from BirdLife Southern Queensland. Submit your count with BirdLife Australia Here: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/submit-a-count/

12.01.2022 Is this a glimpse into the future of bushland regeneration? The Canadian startup behind the project, plans to use its technology to plant 40,000 trees this month. By 2028, the startup aims to have planted a full 1 billion trees. https://www.fastcompany.com//these-drones-can-plant-40000-

10.01.2022 This fantastic family friendly event is on this Sunday. The Noosa Festival of Water, organised by Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, is at Noosa Botanic Gardens in Cooroy 10am to 3pm. NICA will have a stall there, so drop in and say hello, we will have our books and merchandise available to buy at great prices.

09.01.2022 This successful mangrove shoreline restoration project is underway at Golden Beach Caloundra, a great example of what can be achieved by collaborative partnerships.

09.01.2022 NICA will be at this World Environment Day event on Saturday, follow the link to register. We will have a stall with info on our projects and our botanical reference books will be available for sale. Drop in and say hello! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-environment-day-doona

07.01.2022 After the recent rain, fish are on the bite again in the usual Noosa River spots. Just a reminder to thoughtfully dispose of any tangles, sinkers, hooks and bait bags in the Fishing Line Recovery Bins that NICA designed and installed around our river system. You know the one's - white PVC bananas mounted on posts - just like the one in the photo. Never more than a few steps away and you might just save a life. #Noosa River #NICA #Sustainable fishing

07.01.2022 Once again, the Noosa River scored an A- rating in Healthy Land & Water's SEQ Scorecard 2020 (link here: https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/results). Though pollutant loads remain high and stream bank vegetation / wetland extents declined slightly, our estuarine water quality improved. Suggested priority actions include a) reduce sediment loads/nutrients entering waterways b) protecting / managing critical habitats and c) reducing the impact of development. Interestingly, HLW's survey indicates 58% of Noosa's residents said they were likely to clean up sections of their local waterway this year and 38% would become involved in a local environmental group to do so. Give NICA a call and let's get cracking. #Noosa River #HLW #NIC

06.01.2022 Did you know in the last 12 months almost 3 million Queenslanders volunteered 5.7 hours each and every week? Collectively, that contribution added almost $84 billion to the local economy, with the environment a worthy recipient of almost 11% of all that effort. The Queensland State of Volunteering Report 2021 (here : https://volunteeringqld.org.au//State-of-Volunteering-in-Q) is a great read for anyone interested in understanding what motivates and inspires our wonderful NICA volunteers and all of those thinking of joining us at [email protected].

05.01.2022 The NICA Girraween Bushcare Group held it’s final session for the year on Tuesday at Cooyar St. 10 willing weeders turned up, but another 4 arrived for morning tea to celebrate Jill Campbell’s birthday day. Happy Birthday Jill! They removed 2 cubic metres of a variety of weeds including sitatro, glycine, archer, Singapore daisy, cobblers pegs, panic grass, a variety of paspalum, setaria, sida cordifolia and alternanthera. Thanks to everyone who has helped this year, and hope to see you on the last Tuesday in January 2021 (It happens to be Australia day, so I guess for morning tea we should have lamingtons, meat pies, vegemite sandwiches, pavlova, followed by a chiko roll).

04.01.2022 NICA's River Rangers found all sorts of interesting things on their latest trip; Stop 1 was the southern extremity of the sand island where there was a discarded campsite. At this location we found 6 milk crates and scattered drink containers and other rubbish. Stop 2 was North Head where the sand spit was breached last Sunday night, 23 May. This has resulted in a strong tidal flow through the Frying Pan which has flushed out remnants of last summer’s algal bloom and accum...ulation of debris from recent rainfall. Stop 3 was the Sandbags at Doggie Beach. The bag at the eastern extremity has deflated to the extent that it is completely submerged whilst another bag is slowly following suit. There are 7 bags in total and it is only a matter of time before a decision on the future of this structure will have to be made. Stop 4 was Garth Prowd Bridge. Several drink containers & some discarded plastic were collected here. Stops 5 & 6 at Munna Point Bridge to pick up a chair fished out of the creek plus the usual empty bottles, etc. The volunteer river ranger project is supported by Noosa Council and they are notified of any issues. Thanks to volunteers Geoff and David for the report. Join NICA and help us keep Noosa's waterways pristine. See more

03.01.2022 Back in 2009 as part of the Noosa River Riparian Rehabilitation Program (coir logs etc.), NICA planted over 200 mangrove seedlings in PVC pipes embedded along the shoreline between Lakes Cootharaba and Cooroibah. Several recent trips and a lot of hard work, and the NICA crew have extracted all but the most deeply embedded or intertwined pipes. For the curious, around 25% of the mangroves planted within the visible pipes succeeded to this day - a reasonable result. Still a lot more work required to protect the Noosa River's shorelines from erosion, stay tuned.

02.01.2022 NICA's "IN-KIND" portrait series by Yanni van Zijl - our next volunteer is simply "A reliable Allrounder". Whether on the boat, around our waterways or counting the arrivals in the Frying Pan.

02.01.2022 Recently, two of our Rangers were out-and-about at Toorbul completing #shorebird signage audits when they came across ‘Traveller’ 6RYBR a migratory Bar-tail G...odwit. They were able to record the leg tag for this bird and informed the Queensland Wader Study Group, who shared the story of Traveller. Without ado let us share the story with you! ‘Traveller’ was originally banded with a metal band in 2010, and later tagged with coloured flags and bands in Feb 2013 at Manawatu estuary North Island, New Zealand. Researchers have been monitoring her for the last eight years. Traveller was photographed on her return journey on Sep 10 at the Toorbul Roost then later recorded on Sep 23. She had stopped over to rest and feed for just under a fortnight. Where is she returning from you may ask? She is likely to be returning from the Kuskokwim Shoals, near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, in Alaska. So far she has made at least a 10,000km nonstop flight, and still has 2,500km across the Tasman Sea to make it home. All in all, she will have a return migration of 25,000km, following an endless summer. Her survival connects and relies on related protected areas, even when they are oceans apart. Australia and New Zealand have signed to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR). Across the Tasman Sea, Manawatu River mouth and estuary is a sister RAMSAR site. Some 10,470km away in the north, in Alaska, Travellers northern hemisphere summer breeding site and success, is assured by the protection provided by the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. Thank you Maggie for your great picture, the Queensland Wader Study Group for cataloguing this fantastic information and networking it with the New Zealand Researchers from across the Tasman, who started recording her story. Undisturbed feeding and resting is essential for the success of migrating shorebirds http://ow.ly/WZQa50CucgC | #qldenvironment