Walk and Talk for Protected Areas (Toohey Forest)

40 RSVPS

Join Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) and guest speakers for an information session and walk in Toohey Forest. To find out more about the importance of Protected areas, and how you can take action to push for bigger and better protected areas in QLD.  

Due to Covid and to ensure we can all comfortably take part in the guided walk we will be capping our numbers at 30. So RSVP to save your spot.

Queensland is home to 70% of Australia’s mammals, 80% of its birds and more than 50% of its native reptiles, frogs and plant species. Though Queensland is the most biodiverse state or territory in Australia, we have the smallest proportion of its land in national parks and protected areas. At only 8.2%, our unique plants and animals are threatened by land clearing, degradation and a changing climate.  

Despite Qld government promises to increase the area protected and the adoption of a target of 17% in 2015, little has changed over the last few years. At the current rate of protection increase it will take 127 years to reach 17%, well outside what is required to meet obligations under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity target! 

Join us at 8:30am Sunday 28 March 2021 at the EcoCentre, Griffith University. Hear from speakers from the QCC and Griffith’s School of Environment, outlining information about QCC’s campaign and why protected areas are important. We will then take a short guide walk through Toohey Forest, during which you will hear more about Toohey Forest and its conservation history.  

Guest Speakers - Hear from Dr Leah Burns and Associate Professor Samantha Capon from Griffith School of Environment and Science about the importance of protected areas and the conservation value of Toohey Forest.  

How to get there – This walk begins at the EcoCentre within Griffith University (170 Kessels Rd, Nathan) and you can get there by bus (Route 135, 120 or 125), bike or car.  There is free car parking available and it is near the Eastern Cycling and Walking Path. The EcoCentre facilities will be available to you if you want to bring family or friends and enjoy a morning picnic there after the walk. You can find the Griffith campus map here. 

The walk - The walk will be easy, accessible to all, no matter your mobility, and a modest distance. You can choose to walk all of it or only a part of it, or take a longer walk in your own time.  

COVID 19 - For you safety, Covid 19 physical distancing and contact tracing will be observed for the walk and presentations. Hand sanitiser will be provided.