The Griffith Centre for Coastal Management will launch a new citizen science program — DuneWatch — at North Burleigh on Saturday (December 12).
Like the successful BeachCare program run by the Centre, DuneWatch will foster community engagement to monitor, maintain and record the condition of dunes at 10 locations from Rainbow Bay to Paradise Point.
DuneWatch program leader Ms Maggie Muurmans says activities will include beach profiling, biodiversity surveys, analysis of human disturbance and other factors affecting dune health and coastal protection.
“Ideally the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management wants to set up a database to share findings throughout Australia,” says Ms Muurmans.
“The aim is to develop a blueprint for a national program geared to understanding what is happening with our dunes and informing any action that might need to be taken.
“Griffith’s BeachCare initiative has ably demonstrated what can be achieved when community groups come together to work with scientists and really take ownership of their local beaches.”
DuneWatch activities will take place at a different Gold Coast location from 9-11am every Saturday morning and participants are asked to wear enclosed shoes, sun smart clothing and to bring a bottle of water. All other equipment will be supplied.
Meanwhile, the capacity for the Gold Coast’s natural coastline to inspire artistic creativity can be seen in the My Beach, My Backyard photography exhibition showing daily from 9am-4pm until December 18 at the headquarters of the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management on the Gold Coast campus.
Launched in July and with categories of Flora, Fauna, Beaches and Coastal Engineering, the GCCM received 60 entries that were judged by professional photographers
David Mahay and Simone Capridossi, and the Centre’s Nikos Penaranda.
Winners were Matthew Marny (adult), Blake Doupain (teenage) and Angie Zhou (child).