CONNECT, CONSERVE, EXPLORE NATURE #NaturallyGC NaturallyGC Program JULY 2021 – JUNE 2022 Connecting the Gold Coast community with nature through free and low-cost environmental workshops, events, activities and sustainable nature-based recreation. NaturallyGC Ambassador MAYOR’S MESSAGE Patrick Brabant “Enviro Warrior” Ruby and Noah Jay Protecting, restoring, and promoting The Gold Coast is one of the most the Gold Coasts natural areas is at the beautiful and biodiverse cities in Australia Helping nature delivers a better community centre of the NaturallyGC program. I and we’re excited to be NaturallyGC am excited to be involved in a unique youth ambassadors for 2021−22! program like NaturallyGC and feel We both love wildlife and are privileged to be one of its ambassadors. passionate about helping to preserve Feeling connected to our natural world is something inherent in the human spirit. It is even more important now in these stressful and restore natural habitats. times that we take time to connect and On weekends, we can often be found The challenges of Covid-19 brought that Thanks to NaturallyGC, the community can experience our local natural environment. desire for better connectivity to the fore help play a vital role in the conservation planting trees in local parks, cleaning – whether it was through people enjoying of our natural areas and get their The NaturallyGC program is an important the beach or co-presenting Junior Wild their local parks and open space or hands dirty by planting native trees or community asset and provides a great Defenders workshops for children. connecting to local organisations. avenue for Gold Coast locals to do this. seeking a more simple and relaxed life. The NaturallyGC program engages the This is done through their engaging whole community in caring for our incredible Nature is a wonderful healer and our city is There’s even programs that survey and community-focused events which are wild places and we hope to encourage rich in natural attractions – from the 2300 monitor the health of our waterways, creating fun and informative for all ages. parks to 55 kilometres of open beaches a sustainable future for our native animals. other young people to become involved! and our incredible hinterland surrounds. I encourage everyone to get involved with For our youth, the program keeps kids the NaturallyGC program to connect with This City has been a national-leader busy with our popular school holiday our local community and to experience the in promoting better connectivity with programs and fun activities on offer to hidden natural gems of the Gold Coast. our natural landscapes. Hard-working help switch ‘screen time for green time’. council staff, supported through the our In the last 12 months, more than 16,000 NaturallyGC program, work every day to people have been involved with the program assist those who want to play a positive across hundreds of events and more than role through conservation and education. 60,000 trees planted by the community. This community-led program is not It’s time to get your friends and family only educational but it’s great fun. involved and connect, conserve Its aim is to connect the community to and explore our environment. nature and increase awareness of our natural assets through free and low-cost activities - from guided walks to learning about the native animals and plants of the coast. We even promote a ‘citizen science’ program, supported with educational workshops TOM TATE and our Naturally Gold Coast festival. MAYOR NaturallyGC program | July 2021 – June 2022 1 The NaturallyGC program aims to: • connect the community with nature • encourage and promote sustainable, and Gold Coast natural areas nature-based recreation opportunities • provide a range of free and low-cost • encourage on-ground action nature-based workshops and activities • raise awareness of the environmental • provide beneficial, environmental values of the Gold Coast education opportunities. • promote and support city-wide • Encourage an active and conservation initiatives. healthy lifestyle About NaturallyGC NaturallyGC workshops and activities are for people interested in connecting with, exploring and conserving our city’s wonderful natural environment. Activities and events cover a range of environment-based activities from guided bushwalks, wildlife shows, tree planting, coastal education, native gardening, nature photography, citizen science and more. You can also make a difference and connect to a local community group, organisation and other City-led environment programs, discover our best natural area parks to visit, and check out ideas to keep the kids entertained, active and exploring our natural environment. Become a NaturallyGC member Social media Keep up to date with the latest NaturallyGC Use the #NaturallyGC hashtag and share your nature-based workshops, activities and events nature-based experiences with friends and from across the Gold Coast so you’re always family. Search the hashtag across social media in the know. As a subscriber, you will receive platforms to find out how others have been information on more than 800 free or low-cost engaging in the program. activities through monthly email alerts. Please keep in mind the sensitive environment W cityofgoldcoast.com.au/naturallygcmember you may be in when sharing the location of your images to a wide audience. Have your say Have your say Provide feedback on your NaturallyGC experience and have your say. It will assist us in making a better program for you. W gchaveyoursay.com.au/naturallygc 2 NaturallyGC program | July 2021 – June 2022 3 Summary of activities 6 26 36 NaturallyGC kids Nature-based Guided bushwalks conservation education connection Our Gold Coast natural areas 41 47 58 Indigenous Volunteer activities, Citizen science The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most biodiverse cities. It includes activities partnerships and internationally-acclaimed areas such as the World Heritage-listed tree planting Gondwana Rainforests in the southwest and the Ramsar Convention-listed coastal wetlands of southern Moreton Bay in the northeast. One of the largest upland subtropical rainforest remnants in the world is situated within the Border Ranges Biodiversity Hotspot (one of only 15 biodiversity hotspots in Australia). In addition to City-managed land, Gold Coast residents and visitors have access to more than 39,000 hectares of State-managed land. This includes Hinze Dam (Advancetown Lake), conservation parks such as South Stradbroke Island and Pine Ridge, marine parks such as Moreton Bay and national parks such as Springbrook National Park, Nerang National Park, Tamborine National Park and Lamington National Park. The City manages and protects our natural areas by: 66 71 • undertaking ecological restoration and • empowering residents to take action, Protect our Discover our maintenance of City managed natural areas whether big or small, to ensure the long- natural areas natural areas • encouraging hands on community term survival of the koala population with involvement through the Beaches to the Koala Friends Program. Bushland Landcare and NaturallyGC Discover what we’re doing to protect our local programs environment and explore how you can play • supporting private landholders through an active part in protecting, preserving and Land for Wildlife and the Conservation connecting to our natural areas. Partnerships program W cityofgoldcoast.com.au/environment • developing strategies (Our Natural City Strategy), plans and programs that help us to enhance the city’s biodiversity 4 NaturallyGC program | July 2021 – June 2022 5 NATURALLYGC KIDS CONSERVATION CONNECTION Nature Play QLD Nature Play QLD inspires children’s outdoor play, learning and love of nature. It is founded on the understanding that unstructured play outdoors is fundamental to a full and healthy childhood. Nature Play increases the time children spend in unstructured play in nature by providing resources, Get your kids active, exploring and information, events and activity ideas for adults to support their children’s outdoor play. experiencing nature today. There are loads of fun, interactive Nature Play QLD Passport activities for kids to reconnect with The City of Gold Coast has partnered with Nature Play QLD to create the Gold Coast Passport nature and get them back into the to an Amazing Childhood. The program is designed to encourage kids and their families to visit the Gold Coast’s iconic parks and places, and do more day-to-day nature play activities such as green and away from the screen. climb a tree, make a sand sculpture, build a cubby or camp under the stars. There are loads of fun outdoor missions available online, allowing kids to find an interesting mission, and then leave the computer behind to go and do it. For more information visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/naturallygc For additional motivation, they can collect virtual points for completing each outdoor activity to build avatars and earn prizes. There is also a hard copy Nature Play Passport which can be used to track progress. The passport has 11 missions to take you all across the Gold Coast, plus blank pages for ‘choose your own’ missions, stickers, suggestions for great outdoor activities and a list of 15 things every child should do before they’re 12. Parents, get your kids started today! Collect a free copy of the Gold Coast Passport to an Amazing Childhood from your local City library or contact the City of Gold Coast. E [email protected] W natureplayqld.org.au 6 6 . NaturallyGC program | July 2021 – June 2022 7 Creek Connections Kids in conservation Free Free Come and join us as we explore the amazing waterways of the Gold Coast, we will learn Get out and explore the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens and have fun along about the amazing flora and fauna of this biodiversity hotspot that we call home. the way. Join our Botanic Gardens kids in conservation and botanical workshops to discover our natural environment and the plants and animals living there.