NatureSpot biodiversity surveys is a citizen science project where anyone can contribute to catalogue plants and animals living in our city. The community has submitted over 1000 sightings of flora and fauna since November 2019 on the NatureSpot website* to help us create a comprehensive species dataset for inner-south Melbourne. Your data will help us identify important habitat areas to enhance food, shelter and refuge to support our beautiful urban biodiversity.
The surface waters of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers carry nearly 1.4 billion items of litter to Port Phillip Bay each year, according to new research from Port Phillip EcoCentre.
As a Brighton Sea Scouts Venturer, Sam Perkins noticed an alarming amount of microplastic appearing at the Holloway Bend Beach in Brighton. Concerned with the impact these microplastics would have on the life in Port Phillip Bay, Sam was inspired to protect the bay as his project in pursuit of the Queen’s Scout Environment Award. The question was: where to start?
This summer, beachgoers are urged to slip, slop and slap sustainably by using sunscreen not containing toxic chemicals, to avoid further damage to our reefs. Chemicals in sunscreen can wash off directly to the ocean when swimming. They can also be carried off the sand to the ocean as the tide rises, particularly if beachgoers use spray-on sunscreen which leaves residue chemicals across the sand. Even sunscreen washed off in the shower has the potential to end up in the ocean.
The Teachers' Environment Network (TEN) are free professional learning events that are run each term to support school and ELC educators, staff and parents to network, share resources and connect to the local environment! A wide range of topics are covered, with a focus on embedding sustainability and environmental education in classroom teaching. Emphasis is on STEAM/STEM and inquiry-based learning with a variety of topics covered such as climate change and ecosystems, habitat improvements for local species and plastics in our oceans and on land.
Port Phillip Baykeeper partnered with Scouts Victoria to conduct a far reaching street litter and microplastics study of 6 different street use types across Greater Melbourne. Street uses included retail, industrial, public buildings, sportsgrounds, parks and residential.
The EcoCentre acknowledges the Kulin Nations, including the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung language group, traditional owners of the land on which we are located. We pay respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Elder members of our multicultural community.
