Welcome to the SEQ Catchments quarterly news update. Click on the headlines below, or for the latest news from SEQ Catchments, visit www.seqcatchments.com.au

Latest News

SEQ Catchments named Australian Government NRM Award winner
SEQ Catchments has taken out the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Award at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Awards for its work with the Landcare community in delivering the South East Queensland NRM Plan 2009-2031. Read more

Listen to SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner's interview on ABC Radio's Queensland Country Hour.

Grants available to protect endangered Swamp Tea-tree
Landholders in Jimboomba, Harrisville, Gatton, Toogoolawah and surrounding areas can help conserve one of South East Queensland's most critically endangered ecological communities – the Swamp Tea-tree forest. Read more

International Delegates join the Healthy Country Study Tour
SEQ Catchments showcased its work in the Logan, Bremer and Lockyer catchments to 50 scientists and professionals from Australia and around the world when it hosted the International River Symposium Healthy Country Study Tour yesterday. Read more

SEQ Catchments attend Landcare Conference 2011
SEQ Catchments were well represented at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Conference, providing an opportunity for information sharing and learning among other landcare groups, community groups, NGO's and industry on land management issues across Australia. Read more

Sunshine Coast takes out top catchment award
The Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative was awarded the 2011 Australian National Riverprize worth $195,000 at 14th International River Symposium this week. Read more

Draft Noosa Climate Action Plan out for comment
For the last year and a half, SEQ Catchments has been helping facilitate a climate adaptation plan for the Noosa Biosphere in partnership with Noosa Biosphere Ltd, Noosa Residents & Ratepayers and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Read more

Lockyer Valley farmers one step closer to production
For farmers severely impacted by the January floods in the Lockyer catchment, getting their land back into production as soon as possible is at the top of their minds. Read more

Environmentally friendly moorings key for protecting local marine habitat
Boaties are being urged to swap conventional mooring for an environmentally friendly alternative to protect Moreton Bay's seagrass. Read more

Healthier waterways help reduce flood impacts
Healthier water courses are vital for reducing the most damaging impacts of flooding – this was the main message at the SEQ Post Flood Science Review and Planning Forum held in Brisbane earlier this month. Read more

Watch out for Cat's Claw Creeper Vine!
This invasive weed is currently in bloom and is one of the worst canopy tree killers. For more information on this invasive weed download the fact sheet here.

SEQ Catchments welcomes new Regional Landcare Facilitator
Apanie Wood has recently taken on the role of Regional Landcare Facilitator for SEQ. Based in Ipswich at SEQ Catchments, Apanie works to support Landcare, production groups and other land managers to adopt sustainable farm and land management practices and to protect our landscape. Read more

Government Updates
$8.4 million to help Queensland waterways recover from natural disasters
Natural Resource Management groups and local councils across Queensland are set to benefit from $8.4 million in funding for environmental cleanup as part of the recovery from this year's floods and cyclones. Read more

$100,000 up for grabs to raise awareness of Queensland's natural resources
The Queensland Government has opened a $100,000 funding pool aimed at increasing Queenslanders' awareness of, and involvement in, environmental protection. Read more

New floodplain mapping for QLD The largest floodplain mapping initiative in the State's history – built on the latest technology and supported by both new and historic data - is underway, Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh announced. Read more

Upcoming Events
Lockyer Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Tour, leaving from Gatton, Thursday 27th October, 9am-1pm. For more information click here.

Community Field Day on Swamp Tea Tree Conservation, Jimboomba, Saturday 15th Octoberr, 9am - 11.30 am. For more information click here.

Healthy Waterways 2011 Ecosystem Health Report Card, held simultaneously in four locations across South East Queensland (Central, Southern, Western and Northern), Wednesday 19 October at 11.15am (for 11.30am start) until 12:30pm. For more information click here.

Biofertile Farms workshop, Sunshine Coast, Sunday 30th Oct – Monday 1st Nov. For more information click here.

Noosa Climate Action Plan, the next step, Peregian, 5.30 pm – 8.30pm. For more information click here

South East Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, University of Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Auditorium Hall 1, 3rd November, 9.30am-4.30pm. RSVP by 20th October 2011: cwelden@seqcatchments.com.au. For more information click here.

Queensland Coastal Conference 2011, Cairns, 19-21 October 2011. To register click here

Carbon Forum and annual general meeting, Rockhampton, 21 October from 9am. For more information click here