World Wetlands Day – 2 February 2023

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MRCCC celebrates World Wetlands Day -Thursday 2nd February 2023

Wetlands are land areas that are saturated with water either seasonally or permanently. They can be inland or coastal and include marshes, lakes, creeks rivers, floodplains, swamps, estuaries, mangrove flats and more.

Nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Yet, wetlands are undeniably undervalued, being critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation not to mention freshwater availability.

In acknowledging World Wetlands Day, the next MRCCC general meeting, on February 8, will feature a guest presentation on Blue Heart Sunshine Coast, an innovative partnership-based project, committed to sustainable and adaptive floodplain management in the Maroochy River catchment.

The Blue Heart is an area of more than 5,000 hectares on a natural floodplain in the Maroochy River catchment. The project area includes approximately 1,400 hectares of public land. This comprises Sunshine Coast Council’s Coolum Creek Environment Reserve network, the Queensland Government’s Coolum Creek Conservation Park, and Unity Water’s Yandina Creek Wetland.

The Blue Heart provides flood storage for the Maroochy River Catchment. Preserving this is critical to the ongoing flood management of the catchment, particularly the built environment.

This project is an innovative partnership between Sunshine Coast Council, the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science and Unity Water.

More information at  https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/blueheart

Find out more by coming to the MRCCC meeting at Albert Park Bowls Club, 9am, Tuesday February 8.

All are welcome. RSVP to MRCCC for catering purposes 07 5482 4766

Images: Wetland monitoring, K’gari (Fraser Island)