NICA is holding an afternoon workshop on Sunday the 19th October 2008 at Tewantin CWA hall and the RSL memorial park. The day begins at 12 noon with a free barbecue lunch followed by an information session, including guest speakers Michael MacNamara (Sunshine Coast Regional Councils Noosa River Ranger), Moreton Bay Seagrass Watch Co-ordinator Lou Coles and the new Noosa Seagrass Watch Co-ordinator Tara Kingsbury.

Ms Kingsbury said “Noosa’s ‘A’ rating depends on the health of our seagrass beds, so monitoring them is important. Like the canaries that were used to detect deadly gases in the coal mines, seagrasses, nicknamed ‘coastal canaries’ are a valuable tool in the detection of harmful changes in aquatic environments.”

She said “Noosa Rivers 15.5 hectares of seagrass; provides enough carbon to offset a car driving 5,115,000km each year, generates 56,578,650 litres oxygen per year, and absorbs nutrients equivalent to the treated effluent of 3,100 people. The average global value of seagrasses for their nutrient cycling and the raw product they provide has been estimated at AUD$26035.50 per hectare per year.”

Tara encourages all who are interested in the health of the Noosa River to come along, saying “The day aims to provide community members with the opportunity to discuss our local environment, the global Seagrass Watch program, and to train in techniques for monitoring seagrass. Joining the program involves spending an hour or so, every four months, out on the river. Community involvement is vital if we are going to protect Noosa’s high environmental values, we all have to work together.”