Archives for May 2025

Seagrass Watch Level 1

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Reef Catchments organised a Seagrass-Watch Level 1 training session in the stunning Whitsundays, welcoming a great crew of local community members and citizen scientists. This hands-on training was part of the Upscaling Seagrow project and aimed to build local capacity to monitor and protect our vital seagrass meadows. Participants learned how to identify seagrass species, record data accurately, and contribute to long-term monitoring efforts that support the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Big thanks to everyone who joined us — your involvement is key to helping our marine ecosystems thrive!

Stay tuned for upcoming monitoring events and ways to get involved. The more support we have on the ground (and in the water!), the better our chances of keeping seagrass healthy and resilient.

A huge thank you to Deja Brew Café & Catering for the delicious catering!
Seagrass training
Seagrass restoration and research in the Whitsundays is delivered by CMERC, Reef Catchments, and OzFish Unlimited in partnership with the community. The project is funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative, which is supported by Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government, and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.

Solar Installed at Mackay Office

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Earth Day 2025 was a global reminder that the future of our planet lies in the choices we make today. This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, calls on all of us consider switching to renewable energy where possible and take tangible steps to reduce our environmental footprint.

Collective action is powerful, but real progress requires businesses and organisations to lead by example. As stewards of our regional environment, we have a responsibility to both advocate for sustainable practices AND to actively embed it into our operations.

At Reef Catchments, sustainability is fundamental to how we operate, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve. Our recent energy audit highlighted an opportunity to leverage alternative energy sources, driving us to install a 39.6kW solar system at our Mackay office. This system is projected to have the environmental impact equivalent to planting 1,195 trees  – a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint.

This initiative has sparked the creation of a Green Team. This team is now leading the charge in implementing sustainable practices throughout Reef Catchments, ensuring that sustainability becomes an integral part of our organisational culture.

Reef Catchments is committed to driving meaningful change—both through sustainable operations and long-term initiatives that improve, sustain, and enhance our region’s natural resource, now and in the future.

Thank you to Green Energy Technologies for the seamless installation and amazing photos of our new system.

Photo of solar panels on roof

Freshwater Mussels Spotted at Murray Creek Remediation Site!

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Landscape Repair Project

Freshwater mussels spotted along the scenic Murray Creek! These fascinating creatures are true ecosystem engineers — they reshape riverbeds by burrowing, enhance water quality through filtration, support other wildlife by offering food, and contribute to nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.

We’re always thrilled to see these little gems at our streambank sites, as their presence is a strong sign of healthy water quality. Streambank remediation is being delivered along Murray Creek, as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Landscape Repair Program. Find out more about the project here.

Freshwater mussels at Murray Creek Remediation site

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Landscape Repair Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.

Early Mornings in Sandringham – Water Quality Monitoring

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Sandringham Wetlands Complex

In partnership with Associate Professor Nathan Waltham TropWATER and with funding from Great Barrier Reef Foundation, we’re back at Sandringham Wetland Complex for our second year of water quality monitoring following the rehabilitation works completed in 2023!

Why does this matter? This research helps us track how effectively the wetland is trapping fine sediment and reducing nutrient loads before water flows into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Healthy wetlands can provide a role in processing water quality nutrients and sediment, improving water quality and protecting our marine ecosystems.

To ensure the best possible data, we’re starting at sunrise (with some incredible views to show for it!) and collecting water samples early ensure they reach the JCU labs in Townsville the same day for processing. This fast turnaround is essential for accurate results that help us understand the true impact of wetland restoration.

Check out the Sandringham Wetlands Complex project here.

Sunrise over fishway at Sandringham Wetlands Mackay

Photo Credit: Senior Project Officer (Biodiversity), Carlos Bueno. The project is supported by Reef Catchments through funding from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust Program.