Meetings at the Kelvin Grove State College library, Victoria Park Rd,

Kelvin Grove, (UBD 18 - B4). At 7.30pm on the fourth Tuesday of

every month, except January and December.

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Brisbane Branch Inc.

August 2007

"WPSQ Bne - advocating conservation through education"

"The Branch advocates conservation through a diverse educational program

including expert speakers at Monthly Public meetings, regular weekend

and day trips in and around Brisbane, Batty Boat Cruises during the

summer, and a newsletter."

Thursday 23 August WPSQ Platypus Care Project Talk

Tuesday 28 August WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting “Inskip Point, a bird

heaven”, by Mike West

Sunday 9 September Threatened Species Day, Downfall Creek

Friday 14 - 16 September WPSQ Southern Branches Get Together, Taroom

Tuesday 25 September WPSQ Brisbane Branch AGM followed by “An

introduction to flying foxes”, by Louise Saunders

Friday 5 - 7 October Moreton Island Weekend Trip

Tuesday 16 October WPSQ Kedron Brook Meeting

Tuesday 23 October WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting “Water Sensitive Urban

Design” by Sarah Walker

Sunday 28 October: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

Saturday 10 November Canoe Trip (BCC Bushland Experience Program)

Sunday 18 November: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

Tuesday 27 November WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting - Trivia Night

Sunday 2 December Brisbane Branch Christmas Get together

Sunday 9 December: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

Page 2 MEGAPODIUM

The Committee’s page

President: Jean-Pierre Jacquet

Vice-president: Vacant

Treasurer: John Markwell

Secretary: Susan Vernon

Committee members:

Leanne Bowden

Leonie Markwell

Greg Miller

This newsletter is kindly printed by Durrington J. R. & Sons Pty Ltd - (07) 3892 6144

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland - Brisbane Branch Inc.

Mail: PO Box 395, Clayfield 4011 Phone: 3221 0194

Email: brisbane@wildlife.org.au Web: www.wildlife.org.au

3372 4675

3378 6974

0400 629 685

3357 9009

3378 6974

3357 9009

Hello everyone, have a look on page 10 at

our Annual Report to see what we've

achieved this year. Our President JP,

won't be running for the position this year,

so we're on the lookout for new enthusi-

asm. The presidents position includes in-

troducing our speakers and helping to find

new speakers for our meetings. If you'd like

to see us do some different projects, join

the committee at the Branch AGM in Sep-

tember to have your views heard and put

into action. Cheers

If you're interested in outdoor environ-

mental education activities, you may

like to also consider the Brisbane City

Council's Recreation programs, available

on their website at

www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Its Bushland

experience calendar of events program

(BECOE) conducts nature-based

activities at various bushland and wetland

locations, including ranger-guided walks,

bird watching, canoeing, learning about

bush medicines and bush tucker, and flora

and fauna identification.

Members, Greg Miller and Leanne Bowden

are guides on two future BECOE canoe

trips - Sat 11th August 2007 7-10am Boon-

dall Wetlands warblers and Islands

trail and Saturday 10 November 9am -

12:00pm Canoe wetlands explore bird-

watch Rainbow Trail Kedron Brook Flood-

way. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL TO

BCC prior to the activity Ph. 3403 8888.

Meeting Location & Date

Our meetings are held at the library of the Kelvin Grove State

College. Entrance to the College ground is at the top of Tank

Street where it intersects with Victoria Park Road (UBD 18 B4).

The library is the building on the right hand corner.

The bus stop is on Kelvin Grove Rd (B) (UBD 18 A6). There are

numerous bus lines stopping there (345-350-351-352-355-356-

357-359-360-361-364-365-366-372-373-393) but it is recom-

mended to check with Brisbane City Council first. The walking

distance is about 385m and is reasonably flat if you follow

L’Estrange Tce and walk along the Victoria Street car park (P).

Iit is far more hilly along School St and Tank St.

Our meeting day is the 4th Tuesday of every month. The starting

time, 7.30pm.

Page 3 MEGAPODIUM

The computer equipment to produce this newsletter and display meeting presentations for WPSQ Brisbane

was proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

Our objectives are to provide educational activities and raise public awareness and appreciation of

Brisbane’s native wildlife and the natural environment that supports its wildlife.

This will assist us to continue to conduct and publicise our long established Environmental Education

Lecture and Activity Programme, providing free public monthly presentations and activities within the

Brisbane area on current environmental issues, to inform and involve the community in their natural

environment.

Receipt of the grant enhances our ability to provide presentations through the purchase of current tech-

nological equipment to publicise the activities and allow presenters to display their information in an

attractive and interesting way to maintain the viewers interest.

Moreton Island – Some scattered memories of a great weekend. 23-25 March 2007

Greg Miller & Leanne Bowden

Good trip over with 3 more to arrive on the night ferry. Waiting on the beach was an ex WPSQ-Brisbane President, Len Martin, who had been camp sitting while Allen was off the island. A high tide, beach erosion and little beach not under waves added interest to the eastern beach run from middle road to the Blue Lagoon camp. Driving down towards the Little Sand Hills when a quick heavy shower hits and adds a new dimension to the trip. The Friday afternoon view from the top of the Little Sand Hills was great. Interesting contrasts between the fine blue and rainy grey sky and the resulting fine areas with the white sands and the clear blue and green waters and the grey edged rainy areas over near Cleveland. Friday evening Gordon took us down the beach to walk up Mt Tempest. For the first half of the walk we were sur-rounded by the melodious calls of white-cheeked honeyeaters and then, click, the channel changed and the raucous noisy friarbirds took over. At the top a classic sunset was shining over towards where the peak hour traffic was. We again noted a few small showers passing around in the bay and a large cell up towards the NW near Caloundra with dark leaden shadows and scattered shining silver water where the sun broke through the rainy patches. All this plus a beautiful orange sunset and then the crescent moon becoming more obvious as last light faded on our return to the car. Later we night swim in Blue Lagoon with double the stars when you keep still for a while and also two moons. Saturday morning at the Lighthouse, a peregrine does a perfect ferry glide across the front of us and about 45 de-grees and 10 metres above with the sun behind us…a perfect view. Looking down we all agreed we had never seen so many turtles close in to the cliff shoreline, also some very large fish in two groups of five or six patrolled the area. The erosion in the path down to the beach is extreme and may soon close off this access. The swim was in the expected wonderful water and the little fish are always seen. Blue Lagoon and Honeyeater Lake are showing the drought being probably 1.5 metres lower than mostly, but the vegetation all looks well. Early in the morning Leanne and I in Blue lagoon watch a musk duck swim and dive to within 20 metres of us. So why not join us when we go over again?

Page 4 What’s on MEGAPODIUM

Thursday 23 August: WPSQ Platypus Care Project Talk

Glen Costello will be holding at talk about the WPSQ platypus care project at the

Downfall Creek Bushland Centre. Enquires to WPSQ 3221 0194.

Tuesday 28 August: WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting “Inskip Point, a bird

heaven”, by Mike West

Inskip Peninsular has long been thought of a place to catch a barge to Fraser Is-

land, and of no value. Tourists would pass by as quickly as possible, casting

sidelong glances at the lawless area where unruly campers did what they liked.

Inskip had no owners, no managers, and people turned the little bent finger of

vegetated sand into a rubbish dump and a huge bush toilet. Dogs and hoons ran

amok until Queensland Parks & Wildlife Services took limited control under the

RAM Act and the situation has improved. In 2001, rumours of rare birds at In-

skip Point caused Mike West to organise a Birds Queensland camp there in Feb-

ruary 2002 and the rest is history. Inskip has become known as the best square

kilometre bird watching in Australia. Come along and see why.

At the Kelvin Grove State College library, 7.30pm

Sunday 9 September: Threatened Species Day, Downfall Creek

Brisbane City Council and Wildlife Queensland invite you to a Family Fun Day

with foodstalls, activities, wildlife demonstrations, bushcraft, Aboriginal dancing,

face painting and displays. Come along and bring the whole family. 9am-1pm

Downfall Creek Environmental Education Centre. Enquires to WPSQ 3221 0194.

Friday 14 - Sunday 16 September: Southern Branches Get Together

The 2007 Southern Branches Get Together and WPSQ AGM is to be hosted by

Upper Dawson Branch in Taroom. This will be a great chance to visit a fascinat-

ing area in the company of people who are closely identified with the region. In-

cluding a day trip to boggomosses and other scenic and interesting spots at Mur-

phy’s Lake, Glebe Weir and Isla Gorge an the official AGM Dinner at Shire Hall

with guest speaker Professor Henry Nix, noted raconteur with a comprehensive

knowledge of Queensland landscapes. Enquires to WPSQ 3221 0194.

Tuesday 25 September: Brisbane branch AGM followed by

“An introduction to flying foxes”, by Louise Saunders.

If you wish to take a more active role in the life of our Branch, this will be your

opportunity. Followed by an introduction to flying foxes to prepare for our up-

coming Batty Boat Cruises.

Page 5 What’s on MEGAPODIUM

At the Kelvin Grove State College library, 7.30pm

Friday 5 - Sunday 7 October: Moreton Island weekend

Join Brisbane branch members and your host Alan Genninges on a weekend ex-

ploration of Moreton Island. Activities include bush walking, 4WD tours, swim-

ming in the nearby lagoon and beaches, sand tobogganing, turtle watching at

the cape lighthouse and Saturday social BBQ night. See pg 7 for more details.

Tuesday 16 October: WPSQ Kedron Brook Meeting

7:30-9:30pm at Downfall Creek Bushcare Centre, Speaker TBA

Tuesday 23 October: WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting “Water Sensitive

Urban Design” by Sarah Walker, S E Qld Healthy Waterways Partnership

Scientific studies of the catchments of South East Queensland (SEQ) have shown

sewage discharges and urban stormwater to be key contributors to reduced wa-

ter quality in local waterways and the internationally recognised Moreton Bay

Marine Park. Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a holistic approach to the

planning and design of urban development that aims to minimise negative im-

pacts on the natural water cycle and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems.

This presentation will outline what is WSUD, the drivers and research results that

demonstrate the need for it, and what is being done in South East Qld to encour-

age implementation of it.

At the Kelvin Grove State College library, 7.30pm

Sunday 28 October: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

Come and share with us a cruise on the Brisbane River with a difference, that of

the unforgettable sight of thousands of flying foxes flying away overhead at sun-

set on the way to their feeding grounds (your own backyard, possibly). During

the trip, expert commentary will give you historical information about the places

passed by our cruise boat and then will reveal to you everything you wanted to

know about bats and more. For further information and booking, call WPSQ Head

Office on 3221 0194.

Saturday 10 November: “Canoe wetlands explore birdwatch Rainbow

Trail Kedron Brook Floodway”, lead by Greg & Leanne, 7 -10am

Greg and Leanne are your guides on this BCC Bushland Experience canoe event.

Bookings and payments are essential to the Brisbane City Council prior

to the activity. Contact 3403 8888.

Page 6 What’s on (cont’d) MEGAPODIUM

Sunday 18 November: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

For further information and booking, call WPSQ Head Office on 3221 0194.

Tuesday 27 November: WPSQ Brisbane Branch Meeting- Trivia Night

Celebrate the last meeting of the year at a fun get-together. Bring a plate of

Christmas nibbles to share, your thinking caps and a biro. Learn some wildlife

facts whilst you celebrate the coming season.

At the Kelvin Grove State College library, 7.30pm

Sunday 2 December: Christmas Get together, 2pm

Our breakaway party is being held at Orleigh Park, Hill End Terrace, West End.

We will be at the South Brisbane Sailing Club end of the Park (for want of a bet-

ter description) under a big tree near the river.

Please bring a chair or a rug , plate, cup, glass etc as well as a plate of food to

share and something to drink. We will have a couple of folding tables set up.

Contingency plan: If by some miracle it rains, the party will be held at the Mark-

well’s place at 7 Haysom Close at Chapel Hill. If it sprinkles and you don’t know

where to go phone 33786974 before 1pm to find out.

Sunday 9 December: Batty Boat Cruise, Brisbane River

For further information and booking, call WPSQ Head Office on 3221 0194.

27 NOVEMBER - WILDLIE TRIVIA & GAMES NIGHT

Help us create an interesting evening!

Send us some questions and answers - or facts and figures to include

with the quiz, and their source to appease any doubting Thomases!

(eg. Question: Which crocodile has a broad snout, Freshwater or Salt-

water?

Answer: Saltwater

Source: Wilson S. (2005) A Field Guide to Reptiles Page 20)

Or write anagram to confound the brain

(e.g. BOWMAT = WOMBAT)

Email to Brisbane@wildlife.org.au or post to PO Box Clayfield 4011

Page 7 MEGAPODIUM

Moreton Island trip

Friday 5 - Sunday 7 October 2007

“MICat” Moreton Island Ferry departs 8.30 am Friday morning and 6.30pm Friday night Departs from: Hawkins Transport, 14 Howard Smith Drive, Lytton (UBD Map 143 C1) http://www.moretonventure.com/ Travel time: 1hr 15mins Returning on the 4.30pm ferry, anticipated arrival back at Lytton, 5.45pm The price of your Moreton Experience, hosted by Alan Genninges, http://www.moretonexperience.com/ includes the MICat fare, QPWS visitor fees, transport on the Island and Saturday night meal. Cost: WPSQ member $125; non-member $135; children under 12: half-price Booking and further information: Leonie Markwell Phone: 3378 6974. All bookings require at least a $30 deposit per person no later than Friday 21 September. If paying by cheque, please make cheque payable to: “Moreton Experience”. Travel: At the MICat ticket office please inform staff that you are travelling with Moreton Experience. Parking is in a locked up yard and costs $5 per day (at owners risk). If being dropped off, be prepared to be dropped off at the ticket office - only passen-gers for MICat are allowed past the ticket office. Friday morning travellers will normally have their luggage loaded onto a vehicle before boarding. Friday night passengers will have to load their luggage onto the deck of the ferry. If being picked up on your return then your transport will not be able to enter the terminal until the MICat arrives. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to enable orderly loading of your luggage onto the vehicle or ferry. As you will need to carry your luggage from car to transport to tent, you will wish to travel as light as possible, with luggage packed in bags that close (prevents spillages should bags become upturned when loading into and onto transport vehicles.) Catering: On Saturday night a BBQ with salads will be provided. BYO alcohol. If you require special dietary menu items (eg vegetarian burgers) please bring your own to ensure your special needs are met. Tea and coffee is provided at Blue Lagoon campsite. Water: boiled from available natural Island resources is available. Facilities for your food preparation: Gas stoves and tables are available for your food preparation. Several frypans and a small selection of small saucepans are provided. Ease congestion by bringing your favourite camping saucepan. Please bring your own utensils for food preparation and your own plate, cup, glass and cutlery. Refrigeration: - None. Please BYO esky. Accommodation is in canvas tents (2 m high, 4 by 6 metres). These are large enough for groups of up to 5 comfortably. Our party of up to 40 persons will have at least 10 tents. Tent selection is done on arrival by the patrons. If your party is 1 or 2 and you do not wish to share, you’re welcome to BYO hike tent. Tents do not have a floor and so a small brush can be handy when getting into bed. The tents do not have insect screening. However biting insects are generally not a problem. Some weather con-ditions can result in biting insects arriving and staying, so come prepared, just in case. Bedding. A bare stretcher is provided, so please bring your own sleeping bag, pillow etc. A sleeping mat on the stretcher can pro-vide additional comfort and warmth. Care of tents. If you wish to make more floor space in the tents then you are welcome to fold spare stretchers. Folded stretchers must be placed on another stretcher - not on the ground - And on departure please return stretchers to their original position. If unlacing a tent please re-lace before departure using a blanket stitch only. Please do not hang towels or wet cloths on tent poles. Itinerary During the weekend we will visit The Little Sandhills and Cape Moreton area by bus. Please note that under State Gov-ernment regulations, indemnity forms are required, particularly for sand tobogganing, and are also required for some self guided activities, such as swimming and walking. Phones Patchy, but usable service is available at the camp for Telstra's CDMA and GSM service. To date other providers do not provide coverage. Deposit $30 is non-refundable and will be used to pay for the seats in the leased bus which could not be filled due to your can-cellation.

Page 8 MEGAPODIUM

“ECOSYSTEMS and FIRE in QLD”

by Geoffrey Smith

Our Speaker for Tuesday 22nd May, was Geoffrey Smith, from the Biodiversity Sciences Unit of the Environmental Protection Agency. Geoff spoke on “Ecosystems and Fire in Queensland” and has provided us with the following paper, for the infor-mation of those members who were unable to attend. Fire has played an important role in shaping much of the Australia’s landscapes and the composition of the fauna and flora within them. Manipulating fire to create or protect desirable landscape features and habitats has become of primary importance at all levels of land management.

1.0 History of fire in Australia Over the past 20 years, the counting of charcoal in association with pollen in the construction of palaeo-environmental records from swamp, lake and marine sediments has become routine. This has resulted in substantial data set on the history of burning on Australian continent (although methodologically variable and geographically biased). Two generalised records from SE Australia demonstrate a general increase in burning in later Tertiary period along with reduced rainfall, increased climate vari-ability and development/expansion of sclerophyll and heath vegetation. One continuous record of vegetation and burning from early Quarternary indicates relatively stable conditions. Increase in fire activity is evident in most records through the last gla-cial/inter glacial cycle, particularly during drier glacials and times of major climate change. Over the last 11 000 years the bulk of charcoal records indicate high fire activity over last few 1 000 years with a major peak in the early phase of European settle-ment followed by a reduction in recent decades. Climate has exerted the major control over fire activity and vegetation change. There is a notable increase in fire activity centred on a period 40 000 years b.p. which is ascribed to Aboriginal burning (in the absence of major climate change). The presence of fire in the Australian environment has meant an evolution of traits in plants that mean they can cope with fire in the environment or can reproduce despite fire.

2.0 Ecological adaptations of plants to fire 2.1 Fire Resistant Plants: Fire-resistance refers to plants that suffer little damage during a characteristic fire regime. This mostly applies to large trees whose flammable parts are high above surface fires. 2.2 Fire-Tolerant Plants: Fire-tolerant species are able to withstand some forms of fire and grow despite some damage. These plants are sometimes referred to as “resprouters.” 2.3 Fire-Intolerant Plants: Fire-intolerant species tend to be highly flammable and completely destroyed by fire. “Obligate seeders” are plants with large, fire-activated seed banks that germinate, grow, and mature rapidly following a fire in order to reproduce and renew the seed bank before the next fire. Plants also show adaptations in terms of their ability to reproduce following fire. 2.4 Serotiny is the behaviour of some plant species that retain their non-dormant seeds in a cone or woody fruit for up to sev-eral years, but release them after exposure to fire. The cones protect the seeds from granivores and the heat generated by bush fires. However, during a bush fire the heat melts resins in the seed, that once held the cone or fruit tight shut, which then allows the structures to open and release the seeds. Such survival strategies allow for seeds to be released after fires which signal the clearance of competitor plants from the environment. Serotinous obligate seeders are prone to elimination under high frequency fire regimes. Serotinous species are characterised by the possession of an aerial seed bank. Seeds on the ground have a limited life span and are vulnerable to bush fires, whereas in the air the seeds can remain viable for several years and are protected from fires. Fire triggers the release of seeds from these fruits and then they are released into an ash bed resulting from burning of the vegetation. Ash after a fire raises the pH of the soil which can also be a trigger in the germination of serotinous seeds. Serotinous species that release a small amount of seed spontaneously are referred to as weakly serotinous. Examples of species that use this method of seed release are species of the genera Conospermum, Pinus and Eucalyptus, and nearly all species in the Proteaceae family.

3.0 Why manage vegetation/ecosystems with controlled burning? Fire management is a major tool used to protect life and property, by suppressing opportunity for wildfire. It is also used to fulfil the ecological requirements of flora, fauna and other natural assets and to maintain and promote sustainable production values, cultural resources and practices. The major trick in applying a burning management program is knowing and using the ‘correct’ fire regime.

4.0 What is a fire regime? The long-term effect of fire on a landscape varies according to sequences of fire events, rather than to a single fire event. Se-quences of fire events are known as 'fire regimes'. Fire regimes are determined by four factors: intensity (how severe fires are), frequency (how often fires occur), season (the time of the year fires occur) and scale (how extensive each fire is and the patchi-ness of the burnt and unburnt mosaic).

Page 9 MEGAPODIUM

4.1 Fire Frequency This is the time that elapses between consecutive fire events. A large number of sequential fires that occur at very short inter-vals (before fertile seeds are produced each time) or too infrequently (allowing plants to age and die out) can lead to the loss of native plant and animal species. Recent studies indicate that some of Western Australia’s ecosystems, particularly in the tropical savannah and the arid interior, are suffering from large and frequent wildfire. These wildfires may be contributing to observed declines of some plant and animal species in these ecosystems. The frequency of fire affects the growth cycle of plants. Plant communities vary in their response to the period of time be-tween fires, as do individual species and plants. Some species may not persist if fires are too frequent, as the plants are unable to reach maturity and produce sufficient seed before the next fire episode. Certain plant species, known as obligate seeders, can only regenerate from seed. This seed is stored in the soil or in woody capsules on the plant. If fires occur continually be-fore these plants are mature enough to produce adequate seed reserves, these species are likely to decline. Infrequent fires may displace plants that require fire to assist with their regeneration, such as most heath species.

4.2 Fire Intensity and Season The intensity of a fire is measured by the amount of heat energy released for every metre of fire front. Intensity depends on the amount of fuel (i.e. vegetation) available and how fast the fire travels. The most obvious result of an intense fire is the loss of vegetation cover. High intensity fires consume most of the vegetation. These fires tend to occur in the hotter, drier periods of the year (summer and autumn in the south and the dry season in the north). Scorching and defoliation of tree crowns in common, shrubs and grasses are completely consumed leaving very little unburnt areas of vegetation. Low intensity fires only burn patches of vegetation and leave significant patches unburnt. These fires tend to occur in the moister and cooler periods of the year (spring in the south and the early dry and wet seasons in the north). High intensity fire is required at times to rejuvenate ecosystems, create Habitat for animals and assist in the regeneration strategies of plants. It heats the soil, cracking seed coats and triggering germination; it triggers woody seed pods held in the canopy to open, releasing seed onto a fresh and fertile ash bed; it clears thick understorey reducing competition for seedlings; it encourages new growth that is food for many animals; it creates hollows in logs and trees that are used by animals for nest-ing and shelter. In general, the higher the fire intensity the greater the biological impact and the longer period required for the ecosystem to fully recover.

4.3 Scale of burn High intensity fires that occur in the drier periods of the year tend to be extensive (unless their spread is moderated by low fuel areas) and more uniform across the landscape. Lower intensity fires that occur in the cooler periods of the year tend to be less extensive as they commonly go out overnight and result in a mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches. Fire ecology studies have shown that continuing sequential, extensive, high intensity fires are inappropriate for maintaining biodiversity and that low intensity fires that result in an interlocking mosaic of burnt-unburnt patches can aid in the conservation of biodiversity at the landscape level.

5.0 Fauna and fire The impacts of fire regimes directly on fauna and/or their habitat are an important factor in deciding upon ‘correct’ fire re-gimes for ecosystems.

6.0 Ecosystems and fire regimes The ecosystem is defined as a self-sustaining association of plants, animals, and the physical environment in which they live. In Queensland there is a framework that permits the classification of vegetation into what are called Regional Ecosystems, based on the bioregion the vegetation is found in, the land zone it occurs on and the species it contains. The Regional Ecosystem scheme has been developed to assist the EPA to plan for biodiversity both on and off reserve. The framework has been incorporated into planning initiatives such as guidelines for clearing on leasehold lands under the Lands Act 1994 and the Vegetation Management Act 1999. A project has been initiated to develop and provide information on fire regimes that maintain ecological values of Queen-sland’s regional ecosystems. They are being prepared according to a standard format for web publication through the REDD link on the EPA web-site. In 2005-06 fire guidelines were prepared and published for the New England, north-west Highlands and Central Queensland Coast bioregions. The fire guidelines project continues to develop and review guidelines for fire regimes that maintain ecological values of Queensland’s regional ecosystems. In 2006-07 guidelines were prepared for Southern Brigalow Belt, South-east Queensland and Cape York Peninsula Bioregions. CYP guidelines have been published on the web through the REDD link on the EPA web-site. On your internet browser go to http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/biodiversity/regional_ecosystems/fire_management_guidelines/

Page 10 MEGAPODIUM

BRISBANE BRANCH REPORT (members: 147)

Greg Miller & Leanne Bowden, Committee Members (for Jean-Pierre Jacquet, President)

This year, our committee of six kept the Branch operating and achieving its aims. This was notwith-standing our President Jean-Pierre Jacquet, Treasurer John Markwell and Committee Member Leonie Markwell enjoying extended holidays in Europe; our Secretary Susan Vernon holidaying in Canada; and committee members Greg Miller and Leanne Bowden taking 4 weeks leave in far northern Queensland. This sometimes meant there was only one member left to run the show. We are grateful for the on-going help of past committee and current members Brian Lowry, Bob and Mary Durrington and Beth Smyth who continue to assist running the Branch, particularly during these absences. The Brisbane Branch advocates conservation through a diverse educational programme including ex-pert speakers at monthly public meetings; regular weekend and day trips in and around Brisbane; Batty Boat Cruises during the summer and a newsletter. From February, we were required to find a new venue for our monthly meetings, due to the Queen-sland Museum raising its prices substantially. Our new venue is at the Kelvin Grove High School Li-brary, for about the same annual expense as QM now charges for one night. Attendance has been spo-radic as members settle in and become accustomed to traveling to the new location. Many thanks to Mary Durrington for providing supper on these occasions. We were successful in obtaining a grant from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund enabling us to purchase a lap-top computer, data projector and ancillary equipment to assist in producing the newsletter and supporting the presentations of our guest speakers. Our quality speakers came from our own membership, as well as from the University of Queensland, CSIRO, Environmental Protection Agency, Birds Queensland, Australian Marine Conservation Soci-ety and private environmental consultants. They raised awareness and educated attendees on subjects including Brush turkey courtship, the link between Brisbane Birds and Global Conservation, the effec-tiveness of green zones in Moreton Bay Marine Park, Bird Migration and Avian Flu, the ex-HMAS Brisbane artificial reef project, detrimental effects of long drought on arthopods, Ecosystems and fire in Queensland, the impact of over fishing on the environment, Life in the Urban Jungle and conserva-tion values of Inskip Point. Non-member speakers were provided with a thank you gift of one year’s subscription to Wildlife Australia Magazine, to assist with supporting the Society. Sadly, although we do have a membership of approximately 147, attendance at meetings does not usually exceed 20. Our activities included two camps on Moreton Island, in October 2006 and March 2007. For our branch, it is our “backyard” as it is within the Brisbane City Council boundary. Trips here are always well attended and are a great opportunity to mix with like-minded folk, learn about the island’s envi-ronment and the pressures that it faces and there’s always something new to discover. We also joined with dual Birds Queensland member, Mike West for a joint camp at Mount Mee in September 2006. These trips added special wildlife sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, Lathams snipe and platypus to our year. Environmental walks led by Greg and Leanne were held at Kalinga Park in November, Oxley Creek Common in February, and Sherwood Forest in July. Some members also enjoyed a canoe trip in the Boondall Wetlands in November. These walks in the Brisbane area raise awareness of its natural envi-ronment and local wildlife, utilizing those areas that the Brisbane City Council has set aside for pres-

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ervation. It is important for a group like ours to be aware of them, and lend support to the BCC if re-quired to maintain such preservation and the species they support. We also uncover items of local his-torical significance and interest. Again, attendance is low given the size of our membership. However, the walks continue to form a component of our activities as they are always a source of pleasure for those who do attend and we never fail to learn something new about our environment on every occa-sion. For fund raising, John Markwell organized 5 Batty Boat Cruises, between October 2006 and March 2007, including one private booking. These trips have become an icon for the city of Brisbane. Further funds were raised through the sale of raffle tickets and chocolates on the boat. For future trips, we have also initiated bat magnets made by a local artist from recycled materials, for sale on board. We are looking into having a banner made for the boat, as well as special T-shirts for sale on board. We appre-ciate the assistance of Head Office in looking after the bookings for these trips, the committee for orga-nizing the trip program, the boat and its passengers and the voluntary commentators, including Tim Lowe, Monika Rhodes, Greg Miller and John Markwell. Thanks also to Louise Saunders of Bat Care Brisbane for providing flying foxes and microbats for viewing on board, commentary and contribution to flying fox education. All play their part in educating the passengers on aspects of the Brisbane River and the Flying Foxes. Once again, we raised sufficient money to cover Head Office costs and to fund various bat projects. Leanne Bowden initiated another form of fundraising through the sale of Entertainment Books, raising $300 to date. We expect sales to increase our funding in future years, once purchasers become accus-tomed to knowing that books are available through us. It was pleasing to hear purchasers comment that they preferentially selected WPSQ Brisbane to purchase their books from, as the funds raised were go-ing to a worthy conservation cause. We produced four newletters during the year, thanks to JP’s efforts on the new laptop and Bob Dur-rington for complimentary printing. We promoted all our activities, as well as including information on activities for our fellow Brisbane Groups, Boondall/Tinchi Tamba Wetlands and Kedron Brook Catch-ment. Thanks to the Branch members and speakers who provided information to include in the newslet-ters. We’ll continue to provide our newsletter to Head Office to publicise the Branch through the www.widife.org.au site, and we thank HO for making this site available. In the interests of sharing, Greg Miller presented talks on Avian Flu and Bird Migration to Boondall/Tinchi Tamba Wetlands Branch and on Birds of Kedron Brook to Kedron Brook Catchment Branch. We thank them for providing the opportunity and for their interest. Susan assisted on stalls to promote Wildlife Queensland at the RSPCA Million Paws Walk held at Uni-versity of Queensland, and a Platypus Festival held by Moggill Creek Catchment Group at Brookfield Showgrounds. The Branch was involved with helping to resolve the Wacol kangaroo issue together with other well known local conservations, when inaccurate information on the large number and poor condition of the kangaroos at “Pooh Corner”, resulted in a planned culling of these kangaroos. It was resolved when the claimed population numbers were proved to be extremely inflated and the kangaroos were proved to be in good condition by Ian Freeman, a retired veterinarian and member of our Branch. Thank you to all those concerned. At the next Branch AGM, we hope to gain some new committee members to fill the gaps for those re-tiring, particularly the presidency. We also hope that, through our newsletters, we can encourage more of our members to join and support us at our meetings and activities because as well as their evident environmental education values, they are very rewarding and also an awful lot of fun.

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Seafood with a conscience… By Craig Bohm,

National Fisheries Campaigner, Australian Marine Conservation Society

If only there were plenty more fish in the sea. Some of our favourite fish are being pushed to extinction by increasing demand and destructive fishing methods. Australians eat over 206,000 tonnes of seafood each year and our appetite is growing. Australia’s fisheries no longer catch as much seafood as is eaten locally and today over 60 per cent of seafood is imported from over 19 countries.

Today, an incredible 75% of the world’s oceans are officially over-fished or fished right up to their limit and Australia’s oceans are not faring much better. Although Australia has ex-tremely diverse marine habitats, numerous species and very high levels of endemism (that is species that are found know where else in the world), Australia actually has very small fisheries in comparison to many other maritime nations including New Zealand. This makes our fisheries particularly vulnerable to overfishing.

But the good news is our seafood choices can make a difference. The Australian Marine Conservation Society has launched Australia’s Sustainable Sea-food Guide - Expanded Edition, which lists the fish species we should avoid, think twice about and those that are a better choice. This guide is Australia’s only comprehensive, in-dependent and national guide to help us make more sustainable seafood choices. The Guide includes over 60 species with fact sheets on issues including the impacts of commer-cial fishing gear and aquaculture, the importance of marine national parks, seafood labelling and seafood and our health.

Our seafood choices matter and you can be part of the solution. This excellent guide is for those many Australians who love their seafood but also love our oceans. Purchasing sea-food sustainably empowers you to help make our fisheries more sustainable. When pur-chasing seafood there are a few simple shopping tips you can follow:

•Avoid long lived or slow growing species (e.g. orange roughy - commonly labelled as deep sea perch),

•Avoid deep sea species (caught below 500m) – they generally grow slowly can take dec-ades to reach breeding age (e.g. oreo - commonly labelled as dory and gemfish),

•Avoid sharks and rays, (commonly labelled as flake), and

•Avoid imported seafood - as we have no control over their management.

Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide is only $9.95 and makes a great gift. The Guide can be purchased online at www.marineconservation.org.au or from Freecall 1800 066 299. Discounts for multiple copies available. All proceeds are recycled into creating more sus-tainable seafood products for you.

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RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR JOIN US HERE

For more information on the Web

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland: http://www.wildlife.org.au

Friends of Pooh Corner: http://www.poohcorner.info

Centenary & District Environment Action: http://www.cdea.org.au

Brisbane City Council Bush Experience Program:

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:STANDARD:528319102:pc=PC_2020

Wildlife Land Fund Ltd: http://www.wildfund.org

Ric Nattrass’ “Driving You Wild” : http://www/drivingyouwild.com.au

Alan Genninges’ “Moreton Experience” : http://www.moretonexperience.com

Birds Queensland: http://www.birdsqueensland.org.au

Moggill Creek Catchment Group: http://www.moggillcreek.org.au

NEARBY WPSQ BRANCHES

Other WPSQ branches in the Brisbane area also conduct regular meetings to which they

invites expert speakers (contact them or check WPSQ website first for details)

Bayside Branch: last Friday of the month

At the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre, 17 Runnymede Road, Capalaba

Kedron Brook Branch: 3rd Tuesday of every 2nd month

At the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, 815 Rode Rd, MaDowell (UBD 118 F16)

Boondall Tinchi-Tamba Branch:

At the Boondall Wetlands Environmental Centre, contact Jennifer on 3869 0359

BRISBANE BRANCH

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DO YOU WANT TO: Preserve… the flora and fauna of Queensland by all lawful means? Educate… the community in an understanding of the principles of conservation and preservation of the natural environment? Discourage… by all legal means, the possible destruction, exploitation and unneces-sary development of any part of the natural environment? Encourage… rational land use and proper land planning of existing and future devel-opment, and the use of the natural environment and its management?

YES????

THEN WPSQ BRISBANE NEEDS YOU!!! NOMINATE FOR A POSITION ON YOUR COMMITTEE

ATTEND THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 7.30pm ON TUESDAY

25 SEPTEMBER 2007, KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE LIBRARY

Or COMPLETE THE NOMINATION FORM BELOW HELP US TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS

WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF

QUEENSLAND BRISBANE BRANCH

PROXY FORM

I, …………………………………………………..…….

(Postcode………………) being a member of the Wildlife

Preservation Society of Queensland, hereby appoint

……………………………………………….…………..

as my proxy to vote on my behalf at the Annual General

meeting to be held on the 25th September 2007

Signature:-………………………………………..……….

Is this proxy a general proxy? (Yes/No*).

If ‘No’, indicate if this form is to be used against/ in favour

of* the following specific resolution:

………………………………………………………..……

………………..…………………………….………………

WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF

QUEENSLAND BRISBANE BRANCH

NOMINATION FORM

Return to Secretary by 25th Sept 2007 or present at AGM.

Proposer:………………………………………………….....

I, (members name) …………….……. of………………….….....

Seconder:……………………………………………….……

I, (members name) …………….……. of………………..……....

Nominate:………………………………………….…...……

(members name) ……………….……. of………...……..…..…..

as a candidate for the position of ………………..……...……

Signed:

Proposer:……………………………………

Seconder:……………………………………