News
QR Codes on K’gari
FIDO recently decided to test the application of QR codes. (QR stands for Quick Response rather than ‘Queensland Rail’). We recently updated the Eurong sign shelter and instead of loading up a lot of blurb that people who want to make the most of their time on K’gari are loathe to stop and read, we tried using QR codes to sell ourselves and our message. (more…)
What to do if you get stung by an Irukandji?
Recently it was confirmed that an Irukandji jellyfish has been found off the west coast of K’gari. There have also been other suspected stings further down the coast. People visiting this area and across the broader marine environment should be extra vigilant about their personal safety. This extra care is particularly important for those operating vessels, diving or snorkelling. (more…)
Helping to Build the GSS Research Fund
As part of its fundraising efforts to build the Research Fund, FIDO is offering a series of Cruises in the Strait to enable people to have a personal experience of Great Sandy Strait. (more…)
Saving Great Sandy Strait
Great Sandy Strait is already listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Significance, but along with Cooloola, it is has been nominated for inclusion on Australia’s National Heritage list as well as the World Heritage Tentative List. Great Sandy Strait and its natural integrity are vitally important to Fraser Island. There is now a groundswell of public concern over the future of Great Sandy Strait if the proposed Colton coal mine proceeds, as it currently has approval to do. (more…)
Quarantine – it’s more than just weeds!
I always thought I was fairly environmentally aware, but recently I have had my eyes opened to more than the issue introducing weeds to K’gari. When not in use, FIDO’s Land Cruiser is stored in Brisbane. I was shocked when I went down to put stuff in it that it was crawling with ants.
Give yourself a Weed Workout: Brazilian Cherry
Brazillian Cherry (Eugenia uniflora), an environmental weed, is a medium height shrub native to South America, Brazilian Cherry has a dense rounded habit with oval leaves, pointed tips and red new growth. It grows 3-6m tall and forms dense stands outcompeting native plants. (more…)
Butchulla Celebration Day at Central Station
On the 28 of October, 2017, a Butchulla Celebration Day was held at Central Station, K’gari to mark the third anniversary of the Butchulla Peoples’ Native Title Consent Determination on 24 October, 2014.
The Excitement of New Discoveries
Ever since FIDO’s Beach to Birrabeen BioBlitz, I have been ever alert to discover anything ‘new’ or ‘different’ on K’gari. I was always interested, but my interest has been lifted to a new level. Thus it was that when driving into Eurong’s Residential Valley, I spied in my peripheral vision a Caeasalpinia bonduc. It was in a site driven and walked past hundreds of times each week. Peter Shooter had previously discovered one very large rambling specimen the Happy Valley dump. This was the first specimen I had seen in Eurong. It was so much smaller but unmistakable even from a passing vehicle. I was so excited that I rushed to get my co-workers to show them this new observation. (more…)
Blackberry Nightshade – Environmental Weed
One of the world’s worst weeds (Holm) Blackberry nightshade (Solanum americanum & S.nigrum) is a weed of 37 crops in 61 countries. Alternate host for diseases including anthracnose, Cercospora, blight, leaf spot and powdery mildew, at least 13 nematodes, 3 bacterial diseases, 7 fungal diseases including Rhizoctonia and over 30 crop viruses. (more…)
Seasonal Migration… and those that stay
It’s that time again! The humpback whale annual migration is heading south and the marine turtle courting and breeding season begins – where adult courting males and nesting females return to their birthplace from areas hundreds of kilometres abroad.
While these migratory breeding cycles increase whale and turtle populations, sadly, some individuals remain and become part of the island’s food-web providing extra sustenance for terrestrial scavengers including the island’s apex predators. (more…)
FINIA 