An annual EcoForum in City of Logan will encourage ideas, strategies and technologies to protect and enhance local natural environments.
The previously biennial Logan EcoForum, held in 2017 and 2019, will now be presented in conjunction with the Logan Eco Action Festival (LEAF) from next year.
The two events will together showcase innovative ideas and facilitate discussion on environmental conservation in City of Logan.
A review of the EcoForum was recently undertaken by Logan City Council to ensure it was meeting community expectations and provided adequate engagement options.
Feedback showed it continues to be a preferred and popular environmental forum with strong support for an annual event.
Council has listened to additional community feedback and will conduct an annual environmental survey from next year.
A wider range of online environmental projects will also be developed and delivered to complement Council's existing program of activities, workshops and educational events.
Environment Chair, Deputy Mayor Jon Raven, said the City of Logan community was passionate about protecting local natural environments.
"Our wildlife, plants and ecosystems must be protected and preserved and Council is committed to supporting our community to achieve this," Cr Raven said.
"Community feedback on our environmental programs is extremely important.
"We have listened to that feedback and we will now deliver an EcoForum every year along with an annual survey to ensure we remain aware of the environmental issues that are important to our community."
This year's Logan Eco Action Festival was held on Sunday, May 23. EnviroGrants totalling more than $174,000 were awarded to several community-led environmental projects.
The recipients were:
Environmental Partnerships and Capacity Building
- Caring for Wildlife and Carers Inc: Help for Carers of Wildlife in Need
- Orphan Native Animal Rear and Release Association Incorp: Wildlife Safe
- Cedar Grove Landcare:
- Cats Claw creeper eradication
- Vegetation enhancement Melaleuca irbyana
- Habitat restoration and protection of endangered Melaleuca irbyana
- Oxley Creek Catchment Association:
- Fauna monitoring community capacity building
- Logan spotlighting series.
Environmental Surveys and Research
- Shyama Ratnasiri (Griffith University): How do local residents value Logan waterways and riparian zones?
- BirdLife Australia: Powerful Owl project of South East Queensland
- Chantelle Derez, of Reptile Rehabilitation Queensland: Disease testing of wild pythons
On-ground Ecosystem Restoration
- International Buddhist Association of Queensland Inc: Chung Tian Bushland Reserve Phase 1 Restoration
- Leanne and Dean Paterson: On-ground eco system restoration project small creek stage 1
- Julie Mann: Freeway for koalas
- Lives Lived Well:
- Communities restoring and connecting endangered species habitat
- Communities enhancing threatened species habitat
- Emily Cooper: Regeneration
- Sharon Rozynski: Invasive weed management
- Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee: Lantana and coral berry removal at Mt Elliott
Environmental Education
- Georgina Kenyon: Freddy Flying Fox puppet champion kit
- Springwood State High School: Back to Earth
- Canterbury College: Kitchen Garden
- Steve Kanowski: Bethania East SS Indigenous garden
- Dr Jarrod Trevathan (Griffith University): Immersive learning using Internet of Things remote environmental monitoring technologies
- Chisholm Catholic College: Bush Tucker Garden
Wildlife Carer Support
- Trixie Benbrook
- Christine Talbot
- Diana Kolb
- Francine Stewart
- Leanne Robertson
- Stacey Robertson
- Trina Holloway
- Carmen Spelta
- Annette Bird
- Connie Clune
- Joerg Rockstroh
- Anja Rockstroh
- Bob Wiley
- Jessie Ovenden
The winners of the 2021 World Environment Day calendar competition were also announced at LEAF on Sunday.
Their entries will be displayed in Council's 2022 World Environment Day calendar.
The winners were:
- Alyssa Tainsh, Year 2, Faith Christian School of Distance Education: Mayor's Choice
- Zachary Jacobs, Year 2, St Edwards Catholic Primary: Mayor's Choice Runner Up
- Maria Brereton, Year 5, St Edwards Catholic Primary
- Daniela Palmani, Year 2, St Edwards Catholic Primary
- Connor Tainsh, Year 4, Faith Christian School of Distance Education
- Zen Crawford, Year 2, Kimberley Park State School
- Tijana Crawford, Year 6, Kimberley Park State School
- Gladys Kidd, Year 4, Browns Plains State School
- Mathias Klavsen, Prep, Calvary Christian College
- Issac Tran, Year 1, Calvary Christian College
- Annika Klavsen, Year 3, Calvary Christian College
- Aloise Van der Klauw, Year 4, Calvary Christian College
- Lucas Tran, Year 4, Calvary Christian College
Council's environmental engagement activities are funded through the Environmental Levy.
