FEATURE

Your guide to whale watching

The whale watching season is with us! Off the east coast of Australia an estimated 35,000 humpback whales migrate annually over 10,000 kilometres from the southern feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warm Queensland breeding waters. Known as the ‘Humpback Whale Highway’, there are a myriad of vantage points on the Northern Beaches to watch these magnificent creatures.

Marine Biologist, Dr Michelle Blewitt, recommends our many headlands, especially Long Reef, North Head and Barrenjoey Lighthouse Headland. For more spotting tips, see below. 

Image: Courtesy of Dr Michelle Blewitt

EVENTS

The war on waste

Let’s win this war! With small steps you can make a big difference. We have a list of great webinars to educate and support you along the way: 

• How to feed a family of four for under $10
• Wooden furniture repair and restoration
• Bike maintenance and repair.
   

Competition to celebrate Long Reef Aquatic Reserve turning 40

Encourage your kids to get colouring! There are some fantastic prizes to be had in the following age categories: 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years. Prizes include Merlin annual passes valued up to $500; $250 vouchers for Long Reef Surf shop and $100 vouchers for art and craft supplies from Eckersley's. Brought to you by NSW DPI Fisheries. Closes 22 July.

NEWS

Costa joins Bushlink workers

A group of local Bushcare workers were delighted by the recent visit of Costa Georgiadis from ABC’s Gardening Australia.

The workers are part of an employment program called Bushlink, providing meaningful work for people with disability. Run by Northside Enterprise they work on environmental projects for clubs, National Parks, commercial gardens as well as supporting Council’s Bushcare sites.

Costa joined the workers in the dunes at Dee Why Beach, where they are enhancing the area with native plants that help stabilise the dunes.
 

Reducing plastic pollution

Dee Why Lagoon will be the latest location to be surveyed by the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) to understand the impacts of litter and plastic pollution on the marine environment of the area.

AUSMAP is a national citizen science project, managed by the Total Environment Centre, which undertakes mapping of plastic pollution hotspots around Australia. 

Buddies in the bush

Our Bushcare team have been busy capturing some of the native animals visiting our local Bushcare sites, with nature cameras. This Long-nosed Bandicoot is just one of the many visitors that passed by. Our Bushcare volunteers have recently returned to their important work after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19. Why not join them in their endeavors to protect the habitat of our native fauna. No experience necessary - just enthusiasm.

Reducing water use

We're partnering with Sydney Water to help local businesses reduce their water consumption and costs. The Water Savings Partnership is helping businesses with high water use to identify leaks, water loss and other saving opportunities.

Working with high usage sites such as Manly Wharf, the scheme has already seen water savings of nearly 50,000 litres per day - equivalent to the size of seven Olympic swimming pools each year!