Biosecurity education program
Officers provide expert advice, information about council's invasive plant and animal programs and education materials to assist community members.
To educate and engage with the community, council's invasive plant and animal officers attend a range of events each year. This enables council to engage with the community and work in collaboration to protect against invasive plants and animals.
Officers will be available at the following events, so come along and say hello!
| Event | Location | Date |
Rainforest reads: Stories under the canopy | Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve | 14–17 and 19–22 December 2024 9.30am–3.30pm |
Warana sunset weed walk with Pest Plant and Bushcare Officers | TBC | 23 January 2025 From 4.00pm |
| Buderim Australia Day Picnic in the Park | Buderim Village Park 2 Church Street Buderim | 26 January 2025 From 4.30pm |
Invasive plants and animals workshop | Glass House Mountains Community Hall 8 Coonowrin Road Glass House Mountains | 19 April 2025 9.00am–12.00pm |
| Education stall at the Maleny Wood Expo | Maleny Showgrounds 13 Maleny Stanley River Road Maleny | 3–5 May 2025 |
| Invasive plants and animals talks at the Maleny Wood Expo | Maleny Showgrounds 13 Maleny Stanley River Road Maleny | 3–5 May 2025 Times TBC |
| Education stall at the Maleny Show | Maleny Showgrounds 13 Maleny Stanley River Road Maleny | 30–31 May 2025 |
| Education stall at the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show | Nambour Showgrounds Coronation Avenue Nambour | 13–15 June 2025 |
| Education stall at the Queensland Garden Show | Nambour Showgrounds Coronation Avenue Nambour | 10–13 July 2025 |
| Invasive plants and animals talks at the Queensland Garden Show | Nambour Showgrounds Coronation Avenue Nambour | 10–13 July 2025 Times TBC |
Book an adventure: local author book event | Beerwah Community Hall 25 Peachester Road Beerwah | 16 August 2025 9.00am–3.00pm |
| Education stall at Yandina Markets | Yandina Sports Complex North Street Yandina | 23 August 2025 6.00am–12.00pm |
Invasive plants and animals walks and talks | TBC | 29 August 2025 9.00am–12.00pm |
| Education stall at Kenilworth Show | Kenilworth Showgrounds | 20 September 2025 |
If you would like to speak to an officer about invasive plants or animals outside of these events, please contact council and an officer will get in contact with you.
Rocky and the River in Peril
'I am a lucky little bum-breathing turtle, and this river is where I'm meant to be'.
This is a heart-warming story about a curious young turtle seeking another turtle just like him and the journey and challenges he faces as he runs into invasive species along the way. Rocky is a Mary River turtle, which are now critically endangered. Without help, soon there could be no more Mary River turtles left in the wild at all. Invasive animals like the characters in the book, are a danger to native animals like Rocky. Invasive plants like salvinia and cat's claw creeper and many more degrade their habitat and make it difficult for them to survive and find food. Everyone can be a hero for our wonderful wildlife.
Written by council officers Rhea Phelan, Rita Everitt and Francesca McMackin and illustrated by Michelle Pike.
To access a copy of Rocky and the River in Peril:
- book a kindy or school visit with our education team
- visit any Sunshine Coast Council library to borrow a copy.
