The Inaugural Great Victorian QUEER Sea Slug Census!

To shelter from the winds we will now access the Marine Sanctuary 1 kilometre east at the 1st Beaumaris Sea Scout Boat Shed. Opposite 444 Beach Rd, Beaumaris. https://goo.gl/maps/Jk4P7N3pKYWYdt8fA

Queer Nature Connection is heading back to the beach! To the explore glorious rock pools. 
And we would love you to join us!!

Have you ever wondered about those magical (and queer as!) nudibranchs, or sea slugs? 
Come on this awesome Queer Nature Connection Sea Slug Census rock pool ramble to see, and count, those elusive, beautiful creatures!

After our splendid Queer Fish Count in December we're going back for more with the good folks from ReefWatch at the Victorian National Parks Association. Join our guide from Reef Watch and Firekeepers- Queer Nature Connection mentors at Ricketts point on Boon Wurrung Country to explore the rock pools at the perfect time of year to spot Sea Slugs! Bring shoes that can get wet if you have some, and appropriate (warm) clothing. 

-Learn more about the incredibly diverse sea slugs, who are also called nudibranchs, and other creatures that live between the tides.

-Meet new friends

-Enjoy a day out at the beach with nature connection activities thrown in too

- enjoy a cuppa and afternoon tea on us 

There is a carpooling link for folks to offer and request lifts to the event at Ricketts Point. We can also pick folks up from Cheltenham Station at 12:30 pm if needed.

We will gather as a group of up to 15 adults and youth, have an intro circle and some activities, before Kade Mills, VNPA's ReefWatch Coordinator will introduce us to rock pool rambling, techniques for finding those magical beings ('think like a slug'), and the sea slugs themselves.  Then we'll wander across the rocks for an hour or two before sharing a cuppa and some snacks. The event will wind up at 4pm.

Of course all of our activities are optional, we encourage folks to tune into what feels safe to participate in. Please ask if anything could be made more accessible for your participation. There will be a space to chill out with picnic blankets, books about marine life and even a new Marine Life of Victoria Bingo game to play! There are (binary) toilets onsite.

This event is for adults, or youth with a guardian, who feel some identification with the spectrum of LGBTQIA+.

Please get in touch if you have any further queries.

Katrina on behalf of Queer Nature Connection

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤 

More info about The Sea Slug Census from VNPA:

Sea Slugs are sometimes called the butterflies of the sea, but they’re more than just a pretty face! Not only are they adorned in a bewitching spectrum of colours, they’re also excellent indicators of how our environment is changing.

With 15 successful Melbourne Sea Slug Census events to date, our records of sea slug species found in Victorian coastal waters continue to grow.

Collecting photos of sea slugs present at different times during the year helps us to monitor these species and track any changes. But we need your help!

Autumn is a great time to rock and ramble along the coast and search for slugs. The slugs themselves are not that fond of overheating in the scorching sun, so walking the intertidal “think like a slug” and search the cooler shady spots for these cryptic critters.

Each of your observations increases knowledge on these short-lived and unusual molluscs. The images you send in will help us unravel the mysteries of these critters and detect changes in sea slug populations.

In Partnership with the Melbourne Sea Slug Census

Some VNPA links for your perusal:
Sea Slug Census

ABOUT SEA SLUGS