World Wetland Day was on 2nd February, so it seems only fitting that we're holding events to celebrate all that is Freshwater! Our Freshwater Family Fun Day will be broken down into 2 parts - this first part is focusing on macro-invertebrate monitoring & native fish.

MACRO-INVERTEBRATES:

This event will kick off at 2pm, meeting out the back in the yarning circle at Mooloolah River Landcare. Our "Bug Lady", Jessica Raintree will show you how we monitor the health of our waterways by catching bugs (otherwise know as macro-invertebrates)! This is a hands on event, where you will get a chance to get up close to the tiny creatures that call our freshwater waterways home.

Suitable for all ages, we ask that you supervise children closely, as there are waterways located close-by.

This first session of the afternoon wraps up by 3:15pm. You will then head over to the Seed Pod (our education centre) for a 3:30pm start with local children's author Steve Baines (of the Rodney Rainbow fish series of books), where he will share his passion about Native Freshwater Fish.

NATIVE FRESHWATER FISH:

Steve has written 3 books: 'Rodney swims with Dinosaurs', 'Rodney meets the "Space" Invaders' and 'I Believe in Rainbows'. His talk will be entertaining for adults and children alike! Steve will discuss the importance of fresh water and the Australian freshwater fish that live in those areas.

There will be an opportunity to purchase copies of Steve's books ($25 each or all 3 for $60). Steve is kindly donating a percentage of all sales to MRL.

GET TO KNOW STEVE:

"From a very young age I had a fascination with paddling around in creeks. Under my parents house I had a large collection of jars that held various aquatic inhabitants. I have been involved with the RNA (EKKA) for over 40 years as an Exhibitor, Steward or Judge in the Fish section. I have designed and built Environmental Displays for many Environmental Centres including Melbourne Public Aquarium, In Daintree Rainforest, Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, Griffith University and constructed large ponds and reptile enclosures. My wife encouraged me to write children's books about our Australian Freshwater Native fish and I have sold nearly 7,000 copies of my books so far. Encouraging people to care for our freshwater is important. We focus a lot on the heart of Queensland which is the Great Barrier Reef. However without veins and arteries which is our creeks and rivers we have no heart. We only have 3% of freshwater on our planet and most of that is frozen. Without it we literally have no life. No trees, plants animals, birds or even us.

Please bring along a water bottle, enclosed shoes, hat, sun-safe clothing and your enthusiasm! :)

We will conclude this part of the day with a BBQ from 4:30pm - 5pm - drinks will also be available - donations welcome! Suzanne our nursery manager will be on hand for any plant related questions, and you will be able to purchase from the nursery.

This wonderful event has been made possibly thanks to the support of both the Sunshine Coast Council Grants Program, and the Department of Environment and Science: Community Sustainability Action Grants (Round 7).

You are welcome to purchase tickets separately for PART 2: the frog session, if you would like - however bookings are essential as spaces are limited!