What we’re about
Beaches are one of our most loved and iconic natural assets. Sandy beaches are prime sites for recreation (think of ‘beach culture’) and are valued and used by all sectors of society. The love for our beaches may, however, also strangle them, endangering the health of beaches as ecosystems that harbour an amazing diversity of plant and animal life.
We want to make a difference towards conserving the ecological values of our irreplaceable beaches, dunes and surf-zones. We approach this by building a deeper understanding of how sandy beaches work as ecosystems and what amazing animals they support by creating unique habitats. We do this in a fun and informal way, building hands-on environmental skills in an organic way that reflects what members love to do. We also want to make a tangible difference where we can, from beach cleaning to tangible and exciting ‘citizen-science’ projects. We will start small giving it a strong local flavour, but the fundamental values that underpin our work are global. Importantly, we have zero commercial interest and do not seek to make money in any way or form.
Come on join us on the beach conservation journey.
Disclaimer note: By attending this activity, you agree to take full responsibility for your personal safety. Ocean Beaches cannot be held responsible for any mishap that may occur.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Field Trip - K'gari (Fraser Island): beach clean-up & bird diversity mappingK'gari, QLD
Beach Clean-up, Raptor Spotting, Wildlife Photography
Join us for a few days on glorious K’gari. We aim to clean rubbish from the beach - something to make a difference to the horrible plastic pollution of our shores. We also will map the occurrence of the spectacular birds of prey soaring and foraging from the tall dunes to the surf. For those wanting to learn the first steps of ‘serious’ wildlife photography, I will bring cameras with a powerful tele lens (you keep the photos of course). Naturally, you can also bring your camera equipment and binoculars (we will have some). The general idea is to create a new, positive narrative of our spectacular beaches that can, hopefully, translate into better conservation of these glorious ecosystems.
IMPORTANT:- We need to complete some risk and insurance paperwork. Please get in touch with me via email so I can send you the forms to be filled out: tschlach@usc.edu.au.
- Please note that we will need to complete this task at least three (3) weeks before a trip starts. If members do not get in touch, or return the insurance form, they will loose their spot (i.e. we cannot take people without the mandatory insurance cover to the island).
- Fitness and stamina: We will walk along the beach in soft sand picking up litter: it can get hot/wet/windy etc., so both fitness and stamina are required. Expect to be out in the field working for about 8 hours per day There will also be some scrambling in and out of the 4WD vehicle and manual carrying and handling of collected beach litter.
- By attending this activity, you agree to take full responsibility for your personal safety. Ocean Beaches cannot be held responsible for any mishap that may occur
Notes:
- Bring the ‘usual’ for weekend trip in Queensland: hat, sunglasses, water, binoculars (if you have some), change of clothes, torch….
- Depart: University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Carpark P15 (free parking for the duration of the trip); The free carpark is located at the southern end of the campus. The entrance is at Claymore Road, near the McDonald's and the servo. I can also pick up folks around the Sunshine Coast if they struggle to get there.
- https://www.usc.edu.au/about/locations/maps
- Weather emergency: I make a call the evening before if the forecast is truly miserable: we need to be flexible.
- · Equipment: none needed; we supply everything. Bring some gardening gloves for rubbish pick-up (not strictly necessary), rain jacket (!!!), personal medication, water bottle, bottles with fermented content (😊), snacks.
- $ cost to participants: zero (zilch, nil, nada....) thanks to a generous Citizen Science Grant from the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist.
- Transport: provided; we will travel in a 4WD vehicle. It can get a bit crammed, especially if we have to transport large amounts of beach litter back (we will manage and it is all part of the fun).
- Accommodation: provided in cabins at Dilli Village (all paid for).
- https://www.usc.edu.au/k-gari-app/explore/points-of-interest/dilli-village
- Food: I can provide dinner; please let us know about any food allergies/preferences (within limits). Bring your own lunch and breakfast. We have a fully equipped kitchen, hot water, microwaves, etc. We also have a large deep-freezer and walk-in fridge.
- Strictly NO peanuts (in any form).
- Anything else: please text/call/email/message Thomas (0409066710, tschlach@usc.edu.au
- Field Trip - K'gari (Fraser Island): beach clean-up & bird diversity mappingK'gari, QLD
Beach Clean-up, Raptor Spotting, Wildlife Photography
Join us for a few days on glorious K’gari. We aim to clean rubbish from the beach - something to make a difference to the horrible plastic pollution of our shores. We also will map the occurrence of the spectacular birds of prey soaring and foraging from the tall dunes to the surf. For those wanting to learn the first steps of ‘serious’ wildlife photography, I will bring cameras with a powerful tele lens (you keep the photos of course). Naturally, you can also bring your camera equipment and binoculars (we will have some). The general idea is to create a new, positive narrative of our spectacular beaches that can, hopefully, translate into better conservation of these glorious ecosystems.
IMPORTANT:- We need to complete some risk and insurance paperwork. Please get in touch with me via email so I can send you the forms to be filled out: tschlach@usc.edu.au.
- Please note that we will need to complete this task at least three (3) weeks before a trip starts. If members do not get in touch, or return the insurance form, they will loose their spot (i.e. we cannot take people without the mandatory insurance cover to the island).
- Fitness and stamina: We will walk along the beach in soft sand picking up litter: it can get hot/wet/windy etc., so both fitness and stamina are required. Expect to be out in the field working for about 8 hours per day There will also be some scrambling in and out of the 4WD vehicle and manual carrying and handling of collected beach litter.
- By attending this activity, you agree to take full responsibility for your personal safety. Ocean Beaches cannot be held responsible for any mishap that may occur
Notes:
- Bring the ‘usual’ for weekend trip in Queensland: hat, sunglasses, water, binoculars (if you have some), change of clothes, torch….
- Depart: University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Carpark P15 (free parking for the duration of the trip); The free carpark is located at the southern end of the campus. The entrance is at Claymore Road, near the McDonald's and the servo. I can also pick up folks around the Sunshine Coast if they struggle to get there.
- https://www.usc.edu.au/about/locations/maps
- Weather emergency: I make a call the evening before if the forecast is truly miserable: we need to be flexible.
- · Equipment: none needed; we supply everything. Bring some gardening gloves for rubbish pick-up (not strictly necessary), rain jacket (!!!), personal medication, water bottle, bottles with fermented content (😊), snacks.
- $ cost to participants: zero (zilch, nil, nada....) thanks to a generous Citizen Science Grant from the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist.
- Transport: provided; we will travel in a 4WD vehicle. It can get a bit crammed, especially if we have to transport large amounts of beach litter back (we will manage and it is all part of the fun).
- Accommodation: provided in cabins at Dilli Village (all paid for).
- https://www.usc.edu.au/k-gari-app/explore/points-of-interest/dilli-village
- Food: I can provide dinner; please let us know about any food allergies/preferences (within limits). Bring your own lunch and breakfast. We have a fully equipped kitchen, hot water, microwaves, etc. We also have a large deep-freezer and walk-in fridge.
- Strictly NO peanuts (in any form).
- Anything else: please text/call/email/message Thomas (0409066710, tschlach@usc.edu.au
