MEDIA RELEASE 15 March 2010 Forum to explore local coastal changes A free public forum will be held at the Ulverstone Civic Centre on 23 March to share the latest findings on regional coastal change and the potential impacts on our beach environments. Organised by Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management (NRM) through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative, the Regional Coastal Forum will feature guest speakers and afternoon workshops for environmental science students. The focus of presentations at the Forum is to explore where and how the effects of sea‐level rise are being felt on coasts and coastal ecosystems in the region, and what impacts are likely in the future. Specific topics include the impacts of coastal erosion and typical locations for erosion in our region, whether penguins and shorebirds are adapting to changes in climate, and a local case study exploring how vulnerable sheltered bays are to sea level rise. The presentations combine regional research results from coastal geomorphologists and the University of Tasmania, plus forty‐one years of Phillip Island Nature Park data on the Bass Strait Little Penguins. Anna Wind, Facilitator Team Leader at Cradle Coast NRM, planned the Forum to generate local discussions on the potential implications of climate change on the natural environment of the north west coast. “There is a lot of information regarding climate change, and sometimes the volume of information can generate as many questions as it answers,” Ms Wind said. “The Forum will help the community understand the changes that are taking place on our coast; their causes and implications for our beach plants, birds and landscape. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions and have a discussion with the expert presenters.” Registrations are required for the free Forum and can be made until 19 March by calling Cradle Coast NRM on 6431 6285. End… Cradle Coast NRM works with community, industry, private enterprise and government to manage and improve our natural resources to ensure a healthy future for our region. Cradle Coast NRM is a committee of the Cradle Coast Authority. Attached: Regional Coastal Forum ‐ event program. Media Contact/s: Anna Wind Amanda Wilson Facilitator Team Leader, Cradle Coast NRM Communications Manager, Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 03 6431 6285 Ph: 0457 834 558
Regional Coastal Forum: Event Program Tuesday 23 March 2010 9.00am – 1.30pm Ulverstone Civic Centre RSVP by 19 March. Call 6431 6285
9.30am:
Program commencement and introduction Mr Chris Rees—Coastal & Marine Branch, DPIPWE
9.40am:
Is sea level rise impacting on the Tasmanian coast? Mr Chris Sharples ‐ Coastal Geomorphologist
10.25am
The potential impacts of climate change on coastal birds in south‐eastern Australia Dr Peter Dann ‐ Research Manager, Phillip Island Nature Park
11.10am
Morning tea Gawler Room
11.40am
What seagrasses do for dairy farmers and other unlikely tales from the far north west coast of Tasmania Dr Richard Mount ‐ Research Fellow, University of Tasmania
12.25pm
Concluding remarks Mr Chris Rees
12.30pm
Lunch Gawler Room
1.30pm
Student workshops Gawler Room