The Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association’s (BIEPA) fourth annual ‘Giant Turtle’ event, supported by Unitywater, brought together families, volunteers, local leaders and conservationists to spread awareness of the endangered species that rely on local sand dunes to survive.
Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Engagement Joshua Zugajev said the utility supported local environmental initiatives through its Healthy and Thriving Community Grants Program.
“Bribie Island is a beautiful part of Moreton Bay within Unitywater’s service region, and we’re pleased to support BIEPA’s mission to maintain and enhance its unique ecosystems, including the endangered green and loggerhead turtles that call Bribie home,” Mr Zugajev said.
“BIEPA is one of this year’s grants recipients and we’ve supported them with their Giant Turtle event, which features an eye-catching display of community members who come together and form a giant turtle on the beach to help drive awareness about nesting season.
“This grant will also ensure BIEPA volunteers can conduct endangered species monitoring on Bribie Island’s remote northern beaches and promote responsible beach behaviour.”
BIEPA President Richard Ogden said the organisation promoted positive actions for beach users in a number of ways, including through a bespoke tide planning tool called ‘Tread Lightly on Bribie’.
“Beach drivers who drive at night run the risk of disturbing female turtles as they cross the beach to nest and driving above the high tide line where turtles nest in and around the dunes poses a risk of damaging unidentified nests,” Mr Ogden said.
“Ruts in the soft sand also creates hazards for hatchlings trying to reach the ocean.”
“Unitywater’s support of our Tread Lightly app allows beach drivers to avoid sensitive times and the most vulnerable zones on the beach, helping reduce the impacts of disturbance on nesting adults and newly-emerged hatchlings.”
BIEPA’s new ‘Pocket Guide to Protecting Marine Turtles on Bribie Island National Park will be distributed through pop-up displays around Bribie over summer.
To learn more about Unitywater’s Healthy and Thriving Community Grants program, visit www.unitywater.com/grants
