Coastcare Week 7 – 13th December 2009

“Coastcare – helping Australian communities care for our coast”

The Australian coastline is around 36,700km long and approximately 80% of Australia’s total population lives within the coastal zone. We all have an impact on our coastal environment.

Coastcare Week 2009 will be celebrated on December 7-13 and will promote the dedicated volunteers and outstanding Coastcare projects around Australia, in particular how groups are battling the impact of climate change.

This Australia wide network of approximately 2,000 volunteer Coastcare groups (around 60,000 people) tackle environmental issues through grassroots projects such as dune restoration, marine life rescue, coastal revegetation, beach clean ups and the reintroduction and monitoring of crucial plant and animal species.

Coastcare CEO Heather Campbell said Coastcare Week is about acknowledging the tireless work of volunteers and also encouraging other Australians to get involved.

“We applaud our volunteers who get their hands dirty, sandy and wet to ensure that damage to our coastal environment systems is minimal and future generations can enjoy Australia’s beautiful coastline.

There are hundreds of Coastcare projects around Australia each with a different story. From monitoring turtle populations on Ningaloo Reef, reestablishing wildlife corridors on Lighthouse Beach to fighting the impact of climate change at Collaroy Beach.”

By making simple changes to our everyday life, all Australians can help protect our coastal areas against climate change and support the hard work of the Coastcare volunteers. Here are three simple actions you can do to help:

Pick up after your pet. What our pets leave behind on the nature strip can easily wash into storm water drains during rainfall events causing harmful bacteria and pollutants to end up on our beaches.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Our coasts are the first line of defense against climate change and therefore one of our highest risk eco systems.

Join your local Coastcare group as a volunteer or start a group. Coastcare groups are working all over the country to ensure our coastlines are in good health and able to adapt to changes brought about by sea level rise.

To find or start a Coastcare group or to help volunteer please visit www.coastcare.com.au