Refresh and Reconnect in Queenscliff, VIC - AUSMAP Community Day
Event description
Come and see whether your local beach, Queenscliff Beach, has microplastics with AUSMAP!
Interested in learning more about microplastics around Victoria and the impact on humans and the environment?
Come and participate in our FREE AUSMAP Microplastic Event!
About the day - What will you learn?
* Join Dr Michelle Blewitt (AUSMAP Program Director) and be a Research Assistant for the day - learn about the global plastic issue and be involved in an immersive science experience collecting microplastic samples. The data will help AUSMAP, the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project, understand the microplastic issue nationally, and be added to the national database to help find effective remediation strategies.
* Gain a broader environmental awareness on the issue of plastics and deeper insight into the microplastic problem
* What are microplastics, where we can find them in our local community, and how AUSMAP is helping to reduce this problem, along with your help!
* Gain hands-on experience by helping sample along the shores.
* We will then analyse what we find and be part of the discussion for effective mitigation strategies to help be part of the solution to Microplastic Pollution!
Expert: Dr Michelle Blewitt (AUSMAP Program Director)
Location: Meet at Queenscliff Beach, beach side off Princess Park near the start of Queenscliff South Pier.
This day is perfect for the surfing community, educators, retirees, kids, adults - everyone!
We would like to extend a special invitation to those who attended our previous events around Victoria!
This is a great way to brush up on your knowledge and get reinvigorated to get out and sample again!
It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see - until recently microplastic pollution presented scientists with a crisis that was invisible to the naked eye. Now we have AUSMAP.
By translating data into vivid maps of plastic pollution hotspots all over Australia, the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) makes it easy for everyone to see the scale and nature of this growing problem.
We need to know how much is out there before we figure out what to do with it. We also need large numbers of Australians to engage with behaviour change, so we can stop any more plastic from entering our waterways.
Data collected by citizen scientists help create an entire ‘source to solution pathway’, from identifying microplastic hotspots that can then be used to recognise potential sources, to help implement reduction strategies to improve management.
FAQs
What do I need to bring?
* Shoes that can get wet: You will be required to collect water to help sieve, so if you have a pair of waterproof shoes, then please bring (or go barefoot).
* Sun protection, including hat and sunscreen
* Reusable water bottle - please, no single-use plastics!
What is the cost of the Community Day?
This AUSMAP Community day is FREE, however, ANY donation to support the ongoing development and delivery of AUSMAP is greatly appreciated! All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
Remember, please BYO reusable drink bottle or coffee cup, no single-use plastics!
For more information, please contact events@ausmap.org
