Gulf Croaker: Spring 2025

Gulf Croaker the

Spring 2025

Biodiversity on the brink pg. 6

The Gulf glows pg. 20

Regenerative revolution pg. 24

Conference offered National NRM Knowledge es to explore our nde atte for the opportunity d bus tour! region with an eco-focuse

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Kawanji rang ers from Jaw iyaba Warra Aboriginal Co rporation upsk ill in mapping system techno logies.

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Ed and Océane know it’s serious work protecting nativ e species, but th ere’s always time for a bit of laughter out in the field.

erts who shared their The dream team of exp t workshop in August: pes knowledge at the IPM founder Ebony ur mo Far n, tso Wa f consultant Jef acek.

Bugs founder Dan Pap Faichney and Bugs for

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Community members come toge ther to build leadership capacity with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.

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d the for t at GSNRM’s Mandy and Keerah hel ld year’s Rotary FNQ Fie this ing dur site exhibitor hes to Keerah wis t bes and ll we Days. We said fare ah d up with Gulf Savann recently as she finishe n with Farmers to itio pos a up e tak to NRM Founders.

Local producers attend the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) workshop and take a tour of the trial site.

Good times in the Gulf Thank you to everyone who has joined Gulf Savannah NRM for events, workshops and field days in the last few months — here are a few of our favourite highlights!

A WARM HELLO FROM THE CEO

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As we turn the pages of our Spring edition, the common thread weaving these stories together is the deep connection between environment, agriculture and people. Across the Gulf, these worlds are inextricably linked — healthy soils, thriving wildlife, and resilient communities are not just a backdrop, they’re the foundations for our way of life.

This issue highlights just how much we have to protect, from the delicate work of conserving endangered species to empowering farmers to adopt regenerative practices. We hope you enjoy!

Zoe Williams CEO Gulf Savannah NRM

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY

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ABOUT GULF SAVANNAH NRM We're a not-for-profit organisation working to promote healthy landscapes while supporting local people and enterprise. Come say hi at our offices in Georgetown, Croydon, and Mareeba.

COUNTRY CONNECTIONS

Stay up to date with our monthly newsletter — subscribe at http://bit.ly/4mGX74w.

gulfsavannahnrm.org 4092 1088 admin@gulfsavannahnrm.org

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Front cover photo: Wattle (Acacia) Any questions or queries?

Contact our Communications Officer: lydia.strohfeldt@gulfsavannahnrm.org

ENVIRONMENT + ECONOMICS

CROC CONTROVERSY Mareeba Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt urges faster removal of saltwater crocodiles from Zone F waterways, citing youth safety and delays in removing a 4.6m croc from Two Mile Creek.

Believing the species was introduced locally, she calls for extending removal zones to the Barron River and prompt public reporting of sightings (The Express).

KOWANYAMA

MAREEBA KARUMBA NORMANTON GEORGETOWN

LOCUST FUNDING Queensland government has pledged $4.5 million for aerial and ground spraying to combat locust swarms, which can devastate pastures and threaten livestock feed.

Graziers across the west welcomed the move, with an extra $1 million in federal-state disaster funding also supporting the response (ABC News).

FERAL PEST INITIATIVE The QFPI Exclusion Fencing Grants Scheme offers up to $250,000 per applicant to build new boundary fencing that protects livestock from wild dogs. Landholders must co-fund 50% of costs and complete projects within three years. Applications close 31 October 2025 via QRIDA. For full details on eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit: www.dpi.qld.gov.au

G'DAY GULF: ABOUT OUR REGION GULF CROAKER 04

9,660 people live in the Northern Gulf

GULF SAVANNAH

ROUND UP

MINI BULL RIDER SHINES AT WORLD FINALS ABC Far North reports Carl Douglas Jr, a 10-year-old from Kowanyama, competed in the International Mini Bull Riding Association World Finals in Utah, placing third in the junior division and seventh overall. He took up the sport just two years ago.

Now representing Australia, his hometown held a celebratory parade upon his return (ABC News).

DIGITAL GATEWAY FOR NORTH WEST QUEENSLAND Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has launched two digital platforms—Live North West and Jobs North West—to attract workers, families, and investors to the region.

Developed with RDA Townsville and NW Queensland councils, the platforms highlight lifestyle, employment, education, and business opportunities, aiming to address workforce shortages and boost local economic growth (Croydon Bush Telegraph).

50 YEARS SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Ngoonbi Community Service Indigenous Corporation marks its 50th anniversary in 2025. Since 1975, it has grown from the Jilli Binna arts shop in Kuranda to owning 40+ properties and providing housing, aged care, disability, education, and cultural programs.

Celebrations were held in Cairns, with more planned in Kuranda (The Express).

88% land use is grazing on native pasture

The area is 196,100 square kilometres

Over 196 reptile, 455 bird and 118 mammal species live here SPRING 05

Symbols courtesy NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, nesplandscapes.edu.au

BIODIVERSITY ON THE BRINK PHOTOGRAPHY BY DR EDWARD EVANS From disappearing habitats to vanishing species, Australia’s biodiversity is at a tipping point. With proactive conservation and communityengagement, however, the story of loss doesn’t have to be the final chapter.

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Elegant rainbow skink (Carlia decora)

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We’re conditioned to believe the end of the world will arrive like a clamorous “thud!” on a corrugated roof – the kind of announcement you’d receive just before the sky splits open.

Freed from humanity’s blissful ignorance, this ‘apocalypse’ will finally unveil itself and get to work on building 20-foot walls of water, imprisoning cities in unseasonal blizzards, and slicing open the earth with notso-surgical incisions.

Contrary to this popular belief, catastrophe is not always so obnoxious. Instead, it can be as simple as waking up and wondering where the world went; failing to find the trap door through which the wild slipped away in search of a safer place to call home – a place we aren’t currently providing.

The state of biodiversity in Australia more closely emulates the latter scenario: a quiet yet devastating decrease in native species, fueled by invasive pests, environmental destruction and a warming climate. The issues are mostly visible, though solutions remain shrouded in controversy.

Bracing for broader scale ecosystem collapse Though ecosystems boast thousands to millions of years of experience, evolution cannot always account for human interference; some threats are skilled in unpicking nature’s intricate stitches until species have slipped through the seams.

According to the WWF 2024 Living Planet Report, global wildlife populations have declined by 73 per cent in just 50 years. In Australia, the picture is even more sobering: amphibians have plummeted by 97 per cent, while birds and mammals continue to vanish at alarming rates.

CSIRO now lists more than 1,600 species as threatened, with another slipping into extinction roughly every two years. Though species loss is concerning within itself, the danger escalates further when shrinking numbers could unravel entire ecosystems.

There is, fortunately, much to be learned from a precipice: when we confront the reality of ecosystem collapse with proactive conservation and cultural shifts, the brink becomes less a guaranteed coffin and more a vantage point for change.

Ecologist, wildlife photographer and Gulf Savannah NRM (GSNRM) Biodiversity Officer Dr Edward Evans echoes these sentiments, stressing that conservation cannot keep playing catch-up if we hope to protect our native wonders.

“When it comes to conservation, we’re often more reactive than proactive, with most attention going to species already imperiled,” Dr Evans said.

“Very little thought is put into broader scale ecosystem collapse that could occur due to things like climate change or various other processes that are happening – this is what many ecologists are concerned about.”

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Even if a species isn’t officially listed as threatened, a big population drop can still have serious impacts on the role it plays in the ecosystem.

“Even if a species isn’t officially listed as threatened, a big population drop can still have serious impacts on the role it plays in the ecosystem,” Dr Evans said.

“For example, bettongs eat truffles, so they're quite important dispersers of fungi spores. What happens if you take bettongs out of the ecosystem? I can't tell you, but there'll be knock-on impacts on fungi, and there'll be knock-on impacts on other species that eat fungi.”

Dr Evans went on to apply this principle to one of Northern Queensland’s most iconic species: “As another clear example, it's the same with cassowaries – some plants rely solely on them to disperse their seeds. If you take them out of the system, it wouldn't be a shock to find that the tree is no longer dispersed.”

These cases highlight how the loss of even a single species can trigger uncertain flow-on effects, underscoring the importance of

Atherton delma (Delma mitella)

proactive conservation. As Dr Evans notes: “The reality is that for many species we don't fully understand the functions they perform within the ecosystem, and what will happen if their numbers crash.”

Broadening our definition of ‘biodiversity’ With so many species facing disappearance, it begs the question – what shape will our nation take if its ecological silhouette is erased?

Australia’s chest rises and falls to the swirl of the curlew, its wrinkles find their crease in the cackle of the kookaburra. Gently press a stethoscope to its chest and you’ll discover we’ve got eucalyptus in our lungs and a dawn chorus of unique birdsong on our breath. To lose our native fauna and flora would be like amputating a vital organ, a memory, and a culture all in one; if we haemorrhage, who knows what else will leak out along the way.

And while nature runs deep in our daily lives and constructs our collective image, the reality is that our concern is unevenly spread. Some species are beloved household names (such as the aforementioned curlew and kookaburra), while many others slip quietly toward the brink in obscurity. Dr Evans discusses this considerable gap between our nation’s fan favourite fauna and the many extraordinary species that rarely make headlines: “In Australia, we have a large diversity of unique animals, but there are only a few iconic species that get the most interest,” he said.

Northern greater glider (Petauroides minor)

“There's a very skewed bias towards particular things like koalas, but then there are critically endangered lizards with relatively tiny distributions that are extremely unique and of very high biodiversity value, yet they get very little attention.”

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Yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis)

our desire to problem-solve persists like a phantom limb, still reaching for tools, words, and one another, even when crisis threatens to cut us off.

Data backs up Dr Evans’ sentiment, as funding shows more than $76 million is being poured into the Saving Koalas Fund over the next 4 years, while figures remain mostly undocumented when it comes to reptile and amphibian protection.

GSNRM is fighting that imbalance on the ground: in Tagalaka Country, we’ve worked with Traditional Owners to protect the northern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina rugosa), a largely unfamiliar species, from pig predation. Preserving lesser-known species like this turtle reminds us that it’s not only ecology at stake, but also culture and history.

GSNRM Indigenous Engagement Officer Natarsha Bell captures this message: “From a cultural approach, we have to think: what does the disappearance of a turtle actually mean?” Ms Bell said. “This is a storyline for Tagalaka Traditional Owners, so this little turtle holds a lot of value to the Tagalak people.

Saving the turtles is saving our cultural storyline.”

A crucial step in conservation then is perhaps to broaden our view of biodiversity, to recognise more as worth protecting, and consider the cultural implications of conservation work.

A little responsibility goes a long way Whether the ‘apocalypse’ comes crashing through a window or creeps up from the floorboards, biodiversity loss isn’t something we need to sit idly by and spectate: our hands and minds have long known how to mend humanity’s trail of mishaps. As agriculturalists, artists, and scientists,

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It’s that same instinct which drives GSNRM’s newly appointed Biodiversity Officer, Océane Dupont.

For Ms Dupont, the value of biodiversity is more than professional — it’s personal, raising the stakes for whatever steps we take next.

Working closely with landholders, Traditional Owners and conservation projects in the Gulf, she sees firsthand how deeply people and ecosystems are intertwined, and that biodiversity’s benefits are not abstract.

Conservation is not about choosing between people and the planet — it’s about remembering that we are inseparable from it.

“People should care about biodiversity and conserving the nature we have,” Ms Dupont said. “It gives us so much in ecosystem benefits, economic benefits, social benefits and cultural. There are a thousand reasons why we should care about nature, even more than we do right now.”

That attitude is echoed by a growing public awareness. In 2023, the Biodiversity Council found that 97 per cent of Australians want stronger action for nature, even if they don’t understand the full extent of the biodiversity crisis.

communities, expressed support for stronger biodiversity protections: from tougher penalties on wildlife smuggling to predator-free sanctuaries and cat curfews, the policies reflected a strong appetite for action. Such broad support shows how deeply nature is threaded through our lives, even if we don’t always name it.

Dr Evans takes that thought one step further: “In our modern world, it’s easy for people to become disconnected from nature and forget that, from a biological perspective, we are animals and part of the ecosystem. Humans are reliant on the natural world for so many aspects of our survival and livelihoods, so we should ensure we protect it.”

In other words, conservation is not about choosing between people and the planet — it’s about remembering that we are inseparable from it.

Our relationship with nature has always been both a question mark and an exclamation point; bound to the human experience, it’s the instinct to flinch at a rustle in the bushes, then gently tell your child, ‘be still, look over there,’ as your outstretched hand guides their wide eyes to a fleeting glimpse of wildlife.

No degree of industrialisation, however much it’s tried, has managed to excavate this connection from us.

Now, with a proverbial pen placed in all of our hands, we needn’t rewrite the ending of biodiversity in Australia.

Instead, let’s simply ensure the story continues.

This vast majority, spanning all political alignments, every state and territory, and both urban and rural

sources: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) 2024, Living Planet Report 2024; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2025, Biological diversity, Australian Bureau of Statistics; Reside, A., Watson, J. & Carwardine, J. 2025, 'Fully recovering Australia’s threatened species would cost 25% of GDP. We can’t do it all at once – so let’s start here', CSIRO; Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) 2025, Saving Koalas Fund, Australian Government; Lens 2023, '97% of Australians want more action to stop extinctions and 72% want extra spending on the environment', Monash Lens

in other eco-news...

What’s brown & sticky? introducing our region’s latest ecological discovery: Acrophylla alta

By Wayne Young Australia’s heaviest known insect has recently been recorded, and it’s a completely new species of stickinsect.

The female stick-insect, or phasmid as they are known to scientists, was found in Queensland's wet tropics in February this year. It weighed in at an impressive 44g, eclipsing the previous record set by the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, which is also found in our Gulf Savannah region.

“It was an amazing bit of serendipity really,” said Renee Young, who found the largest female.

This is most likely due to the fact these stick insects seem to live high in the canopy of high-altitude rainforest,” said Ross Coupland, the author of the scientific paper describing the new species.”

“These areas are largely inaccessible, the trees are often shrouded in mist, cloud and rain and the insect is very cryptic.”

The males of the species remain as-yet unknown, but the authors of the paper hope one will be found in due course.

“A friend gave a talk at a community conservation group on the Friday about a possible new species they were researching, and on the Sunday while working in the garden, here was this beautiful big insect just hanging about,” she said.

“Nature is amazing and there’s still so much to be discovered, right on our doorstep. These sorts of discoveries highlight the need for active conservation of forests within the region,” said Ross.

“Her camouflage is amazing, and I’d been weeding right under her for 15mins before I realised it wasn’t a stick hanging off the netting, and she was there!”

Renee and Wayne Young are a couple of fauna tragics living on the Atherton Tablelands, but constantly exploring the region. Now retired, Renee worked in mining rehabilitation on Groote Eylandt while Wayne worked across many environmental management roles in Northern Australia including for Gulf Savannah NRM.

It’s also incredible to think that such a huge insect has gone unnoticed by science for so long.

Acrophylla alta Photo by Ross Coupland

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Getting down and dirty story, infographic & images by Mali Eagle

ground yourself

Without soil, we would all be naked, hungry and homeless An ecosystem more diverse than our rainforests, storing more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined, and providing the basis for every single ecosystem function – soils do more than hold up our houses, bog our cars and get tracked through the house.

Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix to make a soil healthy, but knowledge is power; whether you’re mustering a herd, cropping mangoes or choosing a new vegie patch, having a better understanding of what soil occurs on your land can help you make informed management decisions.

No seriously. It provides the fibre needed to make clothes, the feed for a future steak and the materials we need to build a home.

As a producer, soil is your most precious asset; quite literally the foundation upon which your life sits. It is a key factor, alongside climate, that determines what you can grow, how well you can grow it and how much help you need to add.

Breaking it down: what is a fertile soil?

a slice of soil

Soil types aren’t ‘good’ or ‘bad’, they’re just different on a physical, chemical and biological level and need to be managed as such. Instead, it’s important to ask: what is fertile soil? One that provides the water, air and nutrients for plants and biology to grow. This is influenced by a number of factors: soil structure, pH, microbiology – the list goes on!

When a leaf falls onto the soil surface, it is broken down by microbes into organic matter. Organic matter is like liquid gold for a soil; it acts as a glue, holding the soil particles together to improve water infiltration, supplying the plants with essential nutrients and boosting the soil microbial community.

The amount of organic matter in soil determines its fertility, and a big organic pool means lots of good nutrients for plant growth.

Soils also act as a sponge, storing water in air pockets.

As water moves into and through it, the soil acts as a filter, cleaning out pollutants and nutrients. The soil holds onto these substances rather than releasing it into the groundwater. A healthy soil can transform contaminants into something different, thanks to the hard work of soil microbes. They’ve even found a bacteria that can turn an oil spill into water and carbon dioxide!

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Mali Eagle recently graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Natural Resources — Honours) from the University of Queensland, and has joined GSNRM as part of the Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program.

Soil mottles, pigmented by varying conditions

(n.) SALINITY Salinity is the salt content of your soil.

All soils have a natural level of salt, and Australia’s are some of the saltiest!

Having high levels of salt isn't always a bad thing - in fact, having salty soils can lower the risk of erosion in some contexts. If you’re seeing stunted growth, yellowing on the leaves or bare patches of ground, this might be a sign of high salinity.

CLAY (n.)

Clay particles are small but mighty - they create the chemical stickiness that allow soils to hold onto nutrients. However, because they’re so small, when we have a lot of clay particles and not much else, they can stack closely together and become too heavy. A heavy clay is hard to manipulate, and can inhibit root growth into the layer.

(v.) SOIL YOUR UNDIES! Bury a pair of cotton undies (or a rag) 5cm deep for 8 weeks and see how the biology in your soil has broken them down over time. A healthy, biologically active soil will decompose the cotton more. This is best done in spring. Don’t forget to leave a tag out so you can find it your undies again!

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Get your hands dirty: a call to action 1) What can you see?

You should be able to see a topsoil – a darker horizon with lots of roots, decaying leaf litter and earthworms (if you’re lucky!).

Beneath that, the soil can be a range of colours and textures.

Try to spot different layers as you get deeper!

2) What can you feel?

Explore the soil's top layer (between 2 and 10cm), then venture a little further into the profile if you can. Gather a handful of soil from one layer, add in some water to bring it together and squeeze it around. Does it feel gritty and sandy? Is it a little spongy? Is it kind of soapy? Does it seem slick, like clay? This can indicate your soil's texture, which determines three key aspects: 1) its ability to store water and nutrients, 2) its risk of erosion and land degradation, and 3) its potential salinity.

3) Grab a kit!

You can get pH testing kits from most local hardware stores (check the gardening section!). Try comparing the pH in the top and subsoil across your land. This is a cost-effective and easy way to measure the variability of your land, while it could also highlight any major constraints.

4) Understand - it all starts with soil!

Science and study kits aside, if there’s one key takeaway, let it be this: soil is fundamental to life on earth. Learning more about yours will undoubtedly support you in making informed land management decisions that benefit your wallet, your farm and your world.

The most important job of a grazier is to capture sunlight energy, everything else will fall into place.

– Nicole Masters

Carpentaria Shire What a fantastic weekend it was at this year’s Outback by the Sea Festival, held from 12 - 15 September.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday night with the Outback by the Sea Film Festival, where hundreds of people enjoyed screenings of Australia’s latest short films, including entries from our very own Normanton State School students. Markets and children’s face painting were also held beforehand.

Saturday brought more fun with a Paint by Numbers event at the Normanton Library, while Karumba State School hosted a Colour and Slime Fun Run, which proved to be a huge hit.

That evening featured the much-anticipated Festival Concert, with outstanding live performances from The Buckleys, Wesley Dean, and Caitlyn Shadbolt. It was a beautiful night of music and family entertainment under the stars.

On Sunday, the Film Makers Workshop was held at the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, led by actors and directors Steve Bastoni, Carla Bonner, Terry Serio, and Megan Pascoe. With a focus on “telling our own stories” and encouraging creativity. The workshop inspired many budding film enthusiasts. Now in its second year, it’s quickly becoming a much-loved addition to the festival program.

Mareeba Shire In August, the Mareeba Multicultural Festival celebrated its 27th year, promoting harmony and connection in the community through performances, delicious food and interactive workshops. This event is held on the last Saturday of August every year in Arnold Park and we hope to see you there next time.

YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL GULF CROAKER 14

Spring is here and now is the time to prepare for the bushfire and wet season.

Stay informed by visiting your local Council’s website for their emergency dashboard and sign up for their Early Warning Network for alerts. The Get Ready Queensland website offers great resources, including how to create an escape plan and prepare an emergency kit.

In October, Mareeba Shire Council will be hosting the Dinner and Disasters event at the Mareeba Drive-In. This is a family friendly event to help the community connect with local emergency organisations and to get ready for emergency situations and weather events.

Finally, Council supports Mareeba Shire Tourism, the Local Tourism Organisation which promotes the visitor experience in the Mareeba Shire. To keep up to date with opportunities and networking events, join the Mareeba Shire Tourism Facebook group and use #LoveMareebaShire while exploring the Shire!

Croydon Shire The 2025 Croydon Heritage Festival was a shining success— celebrating connection, culture, and community across nine vibrant days of all-ages events. From rodeos and heritage walks to live music, Gulflander rides, games, and fireworks, this year’s festival truly had it all.

At its heart was a historic milestone: the official unveiling of the revitalised Archaeological Chinese Temple and Settlement Site. Now proudly transformed, this rare and significant site honours the legacy of Croydon’s early Chinese settlers and their lasting contribution to the town’s story.

Visitors now enter through a striking new gateway, flanked by traditional Fu Dog statues, followed by two lotus-inspired shade structures and a golden incense urn handcrafted in China. New interpretive signage and a compelling audio trail—featuring voices of descendants, knowledge holders, and researchers—bring the site’s rich stories to life.

The unveiling ceremony welcomed Dr Ruan Zongze, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane, alongside the Mayor and CEO of Croydon Shire Council, the site architect, the President of CADCAI, and descendants to officially open the site. His presence marked the occasion as one of both cultural and international significance.

A touching highlight came when visitor K. Chun Tie discovered his family story featured on one of the new signs—an emotional moment that sparked a personal journey into heritage. With traditional performances, cultural pride, and a magical Outback dinner, the day was unforgettable.

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When fire moves across Country, it carries truth with it. Our survival has always depended on that truth — our connection to land, water, and spirit. These are not just resources; they are our lifeblood.

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Gugu Yaral straight talk, strong Country

Indigenous leadership and collaboration are increasingly part of Gulf Savannah NRM’s DNA, where real outcomes grow from starting small, staying flexible, and placing Traditional Owners at the centre of work on Country.

This approach was on full display in a recent NRM Regions Queensland Lunch & Lead session, where GSNRM shared the story of how a simple conversation with Tagalaka Traditional Owners about pig predation and declining turtle sightings at Tagalaka National Park (formerly Littleton NP) grew into a meaningful, long-term partnership.

What began as a discussion about protecting turtles from feral pigs evolved into a project that helped the Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation achieve a long-held aspiration: establishing a full-time Tagalaka Ranger Program.

Indigenous Cultural Broker Natarsha Bell closed the session with a powerful reflection on the deeper meaning behind the project, introducing the Yalanji concept of Gugu Yaral — “straight talk with heart and passion.”

“When fire moves across Country, it carries truth with it,” Ms Bell said.

“Our survival has always depended on that truth — our connection to land, water, and spirit. These are not just resources; they are our lifeblood,” she said.

Ranger Coordinator Edmond Busch said the partnership’s success was measured in tangible outcomes: “Seeing a Fully Funded QILRSP program for Tagalaka Country and people was the biggest highlight for me,” Mr Busch said. “It meant Tagalaka people fully employed as Rangers and starting the Elders dreams of Tagalaka people looking after Country.”

During their tenure, the rangers undertook extensive professional development, including chainsaw operation, ACDC chemical usage, and in-the-field data monitoring.

Working alongside Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, the team also launched activities aimed at protecting endangered species such as the Gouldian finch.

While GSNRM’s formal involvement has concluded, the Tagalaka Ranger Program will continue for at least another two years under the Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation — a testament to the strength of Gugu Yaral and the enduring power of Indigenous-led conservation.

Gulf Savannah NRM congratulates the ranger team on their achievements to date and looks forward to seeing the next chapter of Tagalaka’s work to care for Country and preserve cultural heritage.

This project was funded by the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program through the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, in collaboration with Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation.

“The struggle we face today is showing that connection still exists, that it is alive in us. Every project, every act of care for Country, is proof that our hearts remain here, grounded and strong.”

After a thriving 12-month stint, the initial collaboration between GSNRM and the newly formed Tagalaka Ranger team has now wrapped up.

Jonathon Miles (Tagalaka Ranger), Denise Hinks (GSNRM Corporate Services Manager), Zoe Williams (GSNRM CEO), Edmond Busch (Tagalaka Coordinator), Jamie Richardson (Senior Ranger) and Brendan Grogan-Creed (Tagalaka Ranger).

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MiniBeasts Wildlife experts acquaint the kids with a stick insect

Country connections: Gulf Kids Day unites remote schools Although it’s been running for more than 15 years, Gulf Kids Day continues to grow in reach and impact. By combining science and creativity, it gives young people from some of Queensland’s most remote communities a chance to learn, connect and fall in love with the environment.

Gulf Savannah NRM’s legacy event Gulf Kids Day once again offered a gathering place for learning, laughter and connection.

On Thursday August 28, the usually quiet town of Croydon was buzzing with energy as 122 students from five schools explored science, the arts and agriculture through hands-on workshops and outdoor games.

This year’s theme — World Environment Day — inspired activities that ranged from giant bug encounters and “soil explosions” to original artmaking and farm-to-table field games.

While the abundance of children’s laughter was a clear sign of the day’s success, the event carried a deeper purpose: connection.

Croydon State School principal Steven Simms said Gulf Kids gives students a rare chance to step outside their

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usual routines and build new friendships.

“Not only does it give the kids a bit of an idea [about science and the environment] with the fun activities, it also brings other schools in and gives them engagement from different people they’re not used to seeing,” Mr Simms said.

Student helper Christine from Forsayth State School agreed.

“We only have four students at our school, so they don’t have a lot of opportunities to interact with other kids,” she said.

“Today has been amazing, mostly for the interaction while doing activities.”

Spanning 29,538 square kilometres, Croydon Shire is nearly half the size of Tasmania but home to just 266 people.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022 census, only 49 of those residents are 14 years of age and younger.

Turning leaves, seeds and flowers into art

More than 500 kilometres from Cairns, opportunities for large-scale, hands-on learning are therefore few and far between. Yet despite the hot, dry conditions — and a landscape where there are more cattle than kids — students threw themselves into the program with enthusiasm.

Among the highlights was a water-filtration activity led by Oceane Dupont, Gulf Savannah NRM’s newly appointed Biodiversity Officer.

“I was surprised by how much the kids already knew about water and filtration, because that’s what they’re used to here in the Gulf. They take all their water from the rivers and dams, and then they filter it — that’s how they get clean water,” Ms Dupont said.

DIY water filtration!

“It’s eye opening for them, and helps them consider what they might like to do at home more too.”

No single activity claimed the title of “biggest hit,” but the MiniBeasts Wildlife display was a strong contender.

Students met scorpions, centipedes, spiders and praying mantises up close — some braving a gentle touch while others admired from a safe distance.

Encounters with native wildlife such as this help children see these creatures as a natural part of their world, reducing fear and fostering an early appreciation for the environment.

Teachers and supervisors were equally impressed, noting the value in this experience.

“We learnt that centipedes aren’t actually dangerous,” Croydon State School teacher Pam said. “We don’t need to kill them!”

“They are pretty switched on, they do know how it works — they were running around getting other things that weren’t supposed to be filtered and trying them. Some were a success, some were not!”

Local artist Rebekah Haase from Georgetown guided students through a stamping-art workshop, encouraging creativity in a region where formal art programs are scarce.

To fuel the fun, organisers put on a barbecue feast, serving more than 30 kilograms of fresh food to hungry participants. With appetites satisfied, students and staff took a moment to reflect on the day and share their thoughts on the event.

Food deliveries await in this farm-to-table field game

Using native leaves, seeds and flowers, students learned to press these unique materials into paper and create their very own bush-inspired designs.

“There are always some kids in the group you can tell are in their element, and there are others who are still discovering what it’s actually like to do something creative with stamping art,” Ms Haase said.

Gulf Kids coordinators and volunteers come together after a successful afternoon

“I’d just like to thank the team at Gulf Savannah for all the work they’ve put into this,” principal Simms said.

“We really do appreciate you guys coming out here and doing something different to engage with the kids.”

SPRING 19

from dawn until dusk, the Gulf glows A recent trip out west set the stage for important lessons on rural beauty. Across the Gulf, the landscape and sun clearly have an agreement: to trade in hue and silhouette no less than twice a day. With colour as their currency, we witnessed — and were enveloped by — this exchange. Not even the emu or bustard could escape it.

GULF CROAKER 20

SPRING 21

GULF CROAKER 22

dust becomes memory on the long stretch out west Awash with outback nostalgia, the trip’s more tangible highlights included Lake Belmore, Diehm’s Lookout, Croydon Heritage Precinct, the swimming hole, Charleston Dam, country night skies, and horizons so wide, you’d hit the limits of your imagination before the end of a locally forged dirt road. As we kicked up dust, pigment and light settled on our senses, before the atmosphere breathed it all back into memory.

Not even rearview mirrors capture how days like those linger.

SPRING 23

From farmers to consumers: local producers embrace sustainable practices GULF CROAKER 24

Through workshops and trial sites, Gulf Savannah NRM is helping producers swap chemicals for creativity, boost transparency from paddock to plate, and deliver safer, healthier food for consumers.

SPRING 25

“Most farmers know the old ways of using toxic chemicals and expensive fertilizers have been a burden on them, they want to move away from that.”

Life on the land is a frontline; a shock absorber for extreme climates, restless soil, and pests with dietary cravings not unlike our own. As a result, farmers are often called upon as weathervanes for change – the first to feel a sharp pull in a new direction and point the way forward.

Meanwhile, for many consumers, fruit and veg seem to jump from field to bowl. Farm-to-table has taken root in popular culture, but most of the process evaporates like morning fog across the tablelands: easy to romanticise, but not enough to hold our attention for too long. That distance — between the toil of production and polished product on the shelf — is becoming far more traversable with the growth of regenerative agriculture.

Across the Gulf and Far North Queensland, Gulf Savannah NRM (GSNRM) is leading the shift: supporting local farmers to adopt more sustainable practices that benefit both businesses and the broader community, the organisation is conducting a series of workshops over the next three years as part of its Climate-Smart Agriculture Project.

By connecting producers with specialists from various fields, the workshops are building a new knowledge and practical capacity, especially in the Mareeba and Dimbulah locales.

GULF CROAKER 26

Under the leadership of Agriculture Officer Jessica Miranda, three workshops have taken place so far, each respectively focused on soil health, regenerative farming and the carbon market, as well as integrated pest management.

‘Empowerment’ and ‘knowledge’ were the words Ms Miranda kept trailing back to when speaking to the potential of her project, as well as the co-benefits that will be enjoyed by various demographics.

“Farmers all want to be more sustainable if it doesn’t mean economic loss: they all want to have healthier soil, that's for sure,” Ms Miranda said.

“The Australian market has a huge demand for less pesticides, for organics, for non-GMO; consumers want to eat something that’s healthy and has been grown sustainably,” she said.

“Farmers are interested in getting to the point where they don’t need to use pesticides anymore, or chemical fertilisers, and are hoping consumers will also be willing to pay more for these premium products.”

With interest high and practical guidance available, producers are showing up in full force.

Jeff identifying bug species captured by traps

Growers get together If enthusiasm could be measured in bums on seats, then Mareeba and Dimbulah residents were certainly eager on June 25, when more than 50 producers gathered at the Mareeba Leagues Club for the second workshop in the series.

Guest speaker André Leu — Daintree mango farmer and president of Regeneration International — captured the room’s attention when he introduced simple, chemical-free soil care methods, including the use of everyday household products like vinegar.

With over 50 years in the industry, Mr Leu’s presentation combined a deep foundation of science and lived experience.

highlighting the economic incentive to explore low-input methods.

Thankfully, Mr Leu believes many growers are already aware of these challenges and are cultivating a landscape for change.

“Most [producers] know the old ways of using toxic chemicals and expensive fertilizers have been a burden on them; they want to move away from that. What we’re doing is offering them practical ways of doing it and showing them how other farmers have successfully done it so they can start this journey,” he said.

“It’s practical farming – by farmers, for farmers.”

Betting on bug traps

“We actually have what’s called a farming diaspora: people are leaving, so we’re losing millions of farmers all around the world.”

Beyond the workshops, GSNRM’s Climate-Smart Ag project is also establishing trial sites to test both traditional and emerging methods, giving producers an updated toolkit of techniques. One such site is Jennings Farm, where bug traps have been deployed to reduce chemical use in insect control.

Studies back Mr Leu’s concern. Research from the Food and Agriculture Organisation shows that global pesticide use has risen steadily over the past three decades, yet yields have plateaued, meaning farmers are paying more without necessarily producing more.

These traps are distributed densely across landholder John Jennings’ graviola crop and use aggregation pheromones to attract bananaspotting bugs to sticky panels. The technology offers precise pest management, while sparing ‘beneficial’ insects and important pollinators.

Additionally, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the benchmark for on-farm chemical costs rose to $3 billion in 2014,

Throughout various mornings spent alongside John amid his crop, an undeniable sense of custodianship for his land was demonstrated through his words and actions.

“Business as usual in farming no longer works”, Mr Leu said.

Jeff Watson and Shaun Jennings collect data from traps

sources: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2024, Pesticides use and trade. 1990–2022; Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland 2025, Tilletia nigrifaciens on Phragmites australis

SPRING SPRING 27 15 11

Above: banana-spotting bug nymph Below: project lead Jessica Miranda poses with her favourite fruit - graviola

“Farmers all want to be more sustainable if it doesn’t mean economic loss: they all want to have healthier soil, that's for sure.”

“I don’t know if many people realise that we’re facing Great Barrier Reef regulations being implemented with more force in the next year, so anything we can do to show we’re trying to do the right thing, is probably going to be a good thing,” Mr Jennings said.

John is of course referring to the 2026 UNESCO Great Barrier Reef management review, which is likely to emphasize concerns about agricultural chemical run-off and its impact on the reef. The assessment will highlight producers’ role in meeting international water-quality targets and global sustainability goals. But it’s not just the condition of the land and sea that worries Mr Jennings – it’s also the wellbeing of his customers.

“There’s been talk of being able to measure fruit nutrition and chemical content for a long time”, he said. “I haven’t seen it come to fruition yet, but I believe if it does happen – if we can track the fruit right from the end user to the farm – we can look up what exactly has been used on that fruit. It’ll be good and prevent a lot of substandard fruits getting out there.”

In the meantime, John remains optimistic that this emerging bug-trap technology is a tangible first step for “the environment, and for the people eating the fruit”.

Across the region, initiatives like this are multiplying, suggesting that the shift toward regenerative agriculture is less a passing trend and more a timely return to balance — between the land, its caretakers, and those it nourishes.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the ClimateSmart Agriculture Program.

GULF CROAKER 28

VOX POP: growing knowledge & networks

What are local producers saying about GSNRM’s workshops and the germination of regenerative agriculture throughout our region?

“The most valuable thing was the reiteration of my current ideas; it confirms that the practices I’m using are valid. I also got some novel information today, in particular about the management of pests in a different crop to what I’m usually in. Lots of learnings for me!” - Richard

“These kinds of events are really helpful for my knowledge base about soil; about how to manage weeds and not think of them as weeds. It’s changing my mindset again recalibrating me back into a positive view about the kinds of things that come onto your property without your control.” - Deb

“It’s good to know there’s a research focus on [integrated pest management]; I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for results from that and what we can implement in our management. There are also discussions around the room about chemical controls, what people are using, what they’re seeing as far as timing and impacts on beneficials.

There’s always something to learn when you get a group of growers together and hear about other people’s experiences.” - Dale

“We’ve been farmers for 56 years. We started off with tobacco and now have limes, lemons and cattle. We’re finding that fertilizer and water are a very big cost. It’s very good to see another point of view, completely different to what we’ve been taught to farm. Organics are something you think don’t mix with commercial farming, but I can see it can be implemented to save money and make things better.”

- Evelyn

SPRING 29

“I’m looking for different practices to improve pasture and finish off the cattle. I’ve learnt about moving away from pesticides for weed eradication, and using weeds as opposed to eliminating them. This information is invaluable. [The biggest takeaway is] seeing that this is the future - we need to look at taking care of what we have, and [form] a better understanding of how to change work practices and evolve. I hope that we can, as a collective, show the way; not just in the industry, but also for the generations coming through.”

- Rick

“It’s great to hear from entomologists about the actual ecology of pests and their life cycle, as well as understand what to look for in your orchard, and then network with growers who are currently using these practices; learn from them. and then trial [these techniques] onfarm while asking for help.”

- Marine

PEST PORTFOLIO #1 Cat-astrophic for nati ve species

How do feral cats threat

en Australian wildlife?

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One suc h threat is feral c ats.

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éane nd Oc ward a d E tional a rs N ice t Lewis ity Off M rs e in iv s trap Biod camera Park deploy

Mappin g applic ations s are use uch as d to su Avenza pport c amera survey s Over 30 Reconyx infrared and white flash camera traps are being used to track cat activity by GSNRM GULF CROAKER 30

Sources: Threatened Species Recovery Hub; Invasive Species Council; ABC News; Banks, P.B., Carthey, A.J.R. and Bytheway, J.P. (2018). Australian native mammals recognize and respond to alien predators: a meta-analysis.

The first paws that stepped ashore According to the Threatened Species Recovery Hub, cats colonised the nation as early as 1788, coming ashore with the first fleet. Genetic analyses and historical data indicate cats had spread across the entire continent within 70 years, with only 0.1 per cent of land mass remaining cat-free today [exclusively on islands or purposefully fenced and protected areas]. This surge was fueled by later introductions to manage other nonnative pests, especially those which created complications for farming.

Unfortunately, cats found a thirst for more than just rodents and rabbits.

A collation of almost 100 studies indicates there are now approximately 3.8 million domesticated cats in Australia, and anywhere between 2.1 and 6.3 million ferals: a figure which fluctuates with rainfall and availability of prey.

Though most people make a distinction between pet cats and ferals, it’s important to note they’re the exact same species and possess an equal capacity for predating on wildlife.

“Cats are very elusive and hard to monitor, they’re hard to trap and track,” he said.

“Australian wildlife has evolved without cats in their environment, so they don’t recognise cats as a threat.”

This concept, scientifically referred to as ‘prey naiveté’, accounts for the fact that native species lack evolutionary predator recognition for certain dangers. For example, studies suggest the impact of feral dogs and foxes is less significant due to their taxonomic connections: native species have had approximately 4000 years since canids, in the form of dingoes, were first introduced. Hence, they’ve had time to develop the typical responses for staying safe: camouflage, mimicry, flee, hide, and at all costs – avoid.

When it comes to felids, these antipredation instincts are still catching up. Though scientists believe wildlife will eventually wisen to cats, the question is whether their declining populations have time for evolution to correct their behaviour. Statistics

Forget the millions, loss is in the billions

Gulf Savannah Biodiversity Officer Dr Edward Evans explains why cats pose such an outsized threat to native species compared to other predators.

“There are many small to mediumsized mammals that have gone extinct either directly or in part due to feral cats,” Dr Evans said.

Though there are many ways to illustrate this devastating knock to wildlife, it is difficult to capture the full scope and impact. Cats have played a major role in the extinction of 25 native species, including the lesser ‘yallara’ bilby, pig-footed bandicoot and broadfaced potoroo.

Cats continue to be a major concern for land mammals such as the bilby, bandicoot, bettong and numbat. In fact, predation by cats is a recognised threat to over 200 nationally threatened species, and 37 listed migratory species.

A single roaming, hunting cat will kill more than three animals every week, which adds up to approximately 186 animals per year.

This leads us to the truly concerning figures. Each year, across Australia, feral cats kill:

TOTAL DEATH TOLL = 2.72 BILLION 92 million frogs

ANIMAL CLASS

What matters even more than the headcount is the havoc they wreak — each pawprint carries consequences far beyond cat numbers.

indicate they do not.

265 million birds 466 million reptiles

815 million mammals 1.086 billion invertebrates

KILLED BY CATS (PER YEAR) = approx. 100 million

data source: Invasive Species Council

SPRING 31

And of course, as is the case for any ecosystem, if one species disappears, flow-on effects follow and leave longlasting impacts we cannot at this stage be certain of.

No simple solution When it comes to controlling cats, there is no quick fix, especially when they have an uncanny ability to win over human affection: scientists even suggest their parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, may play a role in positively influencing human behaviour towards cats. This emotional pull complicates any effort to reduce their numbers, even as evidence mounts of the damage they cause.

Dr Evans even confesses: “I like cats – they're cool animals and amazing predators, but unfortunately they’re a huge issue for native wildlife.”

Across Australia, management measures are debated and range from tighter laws for pet owners, to targeted shooting programs, to one north-Queensland shire that even offers a $10 bounty for cat scalps.

Each method sparks controversy: what’s humane, what’s effective, and who decides?

Each camera is a small but vital step toward understanding what’s happening on the ground. By gathering clear evidence of threats and species activity, projects like this give communities and decisionmakers the information they need to undertake cat control methods moving forward.

The challenge, as GSNRM staff will tell you, isn’t just removing a single predator: it’s balancing science, culture, and community values to give native wildlife a chance to recover.

What’s next?

In the next edition of the Croaker, we’ll continue this pest portfolio series with an invasive species many communities throughout Australia are all too familiar with: feral pigs.

s in a trap camer y b d rve pture d Rese ats ca Wetlan Feral c a b e e Mar

On the ground, Gulf Savannah NRM is trialing practical solutions of its own, including the deployment of motionsensor camera traps in Mt Lewis National Park and Mareeba Wetlands Reserve.

Biodiversity Officer Océane Dupont explains the initiative in more detail: “By setting up these cameras, we're trying to protect the broader ecosystem,” she said.

“We’re trying to see what the status of the native species is, such as the northern bettong, and get a feel for the threats they’re facing.”

Cute and cuddly? Statistics say otherwise

19 GULF CROAKER 32

(Azadirachta indica)

NEEM TREE ID fast facts for identifying in the field OVERVIEW: Fast-growing tree, typically 15–20 m tall, sometimes reaching up to 40 m Crown spreads widely — up to 20 m across Bark is rough and deeply fissured (grooved)

bonus pest

LEAVES: Evergreen, but may shed most leaves in dry seasons.

Compound (pinnate) leaves, 20–40 cm long Each leaf has 20–30 dark green, serrated leaflets, about 3–8 cm long The end leaflet is often missing Young leaves can be reddish or purplish FLOWERS: Cream-coloured and sweet-smelling Grow in long clusters (15–25 cm), called inflorescences Each cluster has 150–250 small flowers, each about 1 cm wide Flowers have five petals, ten stamens, and one central style

s| som blos e e m tr Nee

an Zam a r i Sam

FRUITS: Small, yellow-green drupes (1–2 cm long) containing a single seed source: Invasive plant risk assessment, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

White Cedar can often be mistaken for Neem.

Generally, the former is deciduous, mediumsized (up to 12 m), with a spreading canopy and seasonal leaf loss. Here are some other key differences:

Neem fru Forest its and leave Health s Manag | William M. C e Bugwo ment Interna iesla, od.org tional,

Leaves = White Cedar has compound, bipinnate leaves with smaller leaflets, turning bright yellow in autumn. Fully deciduous.

Flowers = Lilac to almost white flowers with a purple staminal tube, arranged in large panicles.

Fruits = Yellow, fleshy drupes (1–1.5 cm) with a hard, ribbed stone inside containing five seeds; fruit persists on the tree after leaf fall. Toxic to humans and animals.

Invasive neem trees in the Gilbert River catchment have been a significant concern for residents, graziers and local councils due to their impact on the natural environment and agricultural production value.

– GSNRM CEO Zoe Williams SPRING 33

FALSE NEIGHBOURS

Q&A

“Meat is the aim, pasture is the game.”

Environment‌

Where love for the land meets the realities of running a business

Meet Julie Nicolosi – one of GSNRM’s Agriculture Officers and project lead for Improving Land Condition across northwest Queensland. Though an agronomist with a dual degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness, Julie’s connection to the grazing world runs far deeper than formal qualifications.

vs. & Economics

Q: Julie, can you introduce yourself, both professionally and personally?

A: When I was probably about 13, I told my mum I was going to be an agronomist, because I had decided that there had to be more to raising cattle than good genetics and praying for rain. So, I set off on a mission to figure out how to grow grass. I've got a strong passion for pastures and eco-landscape management as well, so taking a holistic approach. We sometimes like to think that we can separate plants from the environment, from the climate, but climate and environment tend to be one and the same.

Q: You’ve mentioned it can be difficult for landholders to balance environmental and economic interests can you elaborate?

A: Unfortunately, on the farm I grew up on, I watched the decline of the pastures and the condition of the land. That’s probably why I’m so passionate about people trying to improve land condition, because I can see that grass equals meat, and meat equals dollars.

Meat is the aim, pasture is the game. Graziers are grass farmers and grass managers; we just happen to use cows to harvest something nothing else can eat, and we sell cattle to make money.

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Whatever we advise them to do, it has to be financially viable, because otherwise they’re going to say they can’t afford it. So, we want to consider how we can manage grazing to sustain the ecosystem rather than sustain the ecosystem for grazing.

Q. How can landholders manage grazing to protect the ecosystem?

A. Rest-based grazing — allowing sensitive areas to have rest during the growing season so vegetative growth can occur. You want a staggered succession in trees, with old, middle, and young trees. That way, as one tree dies, another comes in behind it, supporting biodiversity — birds, reptiles, and everything that lives in trees. It’s like people: grandparents teach, parents manage, kids learn. The land works the same way — succession matters.

Start adding rest periods to let the pasture recover and observe productivity. It’s a faith test — you have to trust the process. It’s a big change, but it prevents the destruction of grass diversity.

Q: How do you see farmers’ attachment to the land and their knowledge of it?

Q: How would you encourage farmers hesitant about holistic management?

A. I think it’s sad we have this connotation in the media that farmers are the reason we have degraded landscapes, and yet there is a really strong correlation with farmers to the land, like the familiarity, calling it home. I truly believe farmers care — they care more than I think anyone else could possibly care for the land that they own and run. It’s your home, it’s more than a house on a cul-de-sac with a green lawn out the front. It’s a whole business, it’s your family, your kids grow up working it. At the end of the day the only constant is the land, and it’s hard not to be attached to it when you grow up on it.

A. My message for those on the fence: you only have to do a little bit, a little bit goes a long way. Even on a small scale, just watch it for a bit. If it’s the science that’s not helping, read about it. There’s no perfect time to start, but the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes, and the worse the land condition gets.

I remember my dad telling me about before the cane toads, when there were sand goannas everywhere.

You couldn't go anywhere without seeing them — big ones, little ones, you name it. Landholders, such as my dad, are the ones running around saying “you can’t take that tree,” because a bird wants to live there.

Farmers may not know scientific names, but they have a common name for it, they know what lives in it, when it grows and flowers, what can eat it, what can’t, what’s poisonous too.

A producer has many jobs all wrapped into one title, and one of those is you have to be a land manager; whether you’re cropping or grazing, you have to care about the condition of the land you manage.

If you have succession in mind, your children or your grandchildren are going to stay on and keep going.

It's not going to be viable for them either to go from a D back to a C or even a B in their lifetime; it will be a financial burden for them in terms of productivity and environmental sustainability.

There’s always going to be a project going in the grazing system with Gulf Savannah NRM. I know it’s uncommon in the beef industry to pay for a consultant to help with management decisions, but I believe it is the way of the future.

Q. Anything else to add?

A. I am very passionate about pastures, perhaps too passionate! I find it fascinating, the relationship plants have to the rest of the food chain. There is nothing else on the planet that can convert light energy into chemical energy we can use for food and power. We take that for granted, but it’s some very dramatic, very cool science.

“I truly believe farmers care — they care more than I think anyone else could possibly care for the land that they own and run.”

SPRING 35

PROJECT & NEWS UPDATES Gulf Savannah NRM is delivering a range of projects in regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, fire and drought management, community resilience, and more.

High-tech traps take aim at feral pigs With the support of rangers from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Western Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, GSNRM’s biodiversity team has returned to Mt Spurgeon armed with new tools to combat one of Australia’s greatest threats to native wildlife: feral pigs.

Three remotely operated traps have now been deployed at key sites across the national park, providing a safer, more effective way to reduce pig numbers while minimising impacts on non-target species.

GSNRM’s feral pig coordinator and biosecurity officer Scott Morrison said the destructive pests are notorious for the scale and variety of damage they cause.

‘Feral pigs will eat anything: sea turtle nestlings, grains, pawpaws, mangoes, lambs, kangaroos, even calves as they’re being born,’ Scott said. ’They’re a pretty ferocious predator — the sky’s the limit for what effect they have on many levels.’

Gulf Savannah NRM secures $3.88 million in landmark state funding to protect Northern Gulf landscapes Queensland’s Gulf communities are set to benefit from a major investment, with Gulf Savannah NRM to receive $3.88 million through the Liberal Government’s new Natural Resource Management Expansion Program (NRMEP).

Announced in Cairns on Wednesday 10 September by Minister for Natural Resources Dale Last, the funding is part of a $6.96 million package to support four regional projects across Queensland.

Gulf Savannah NRM’s investment will deliver two key projects: one to tackle the spread of invasive neem trees along the Gilbert River in Etheridge Shire, and another to protect the Great Artesian Basin springs in the Northern Gulf from damage caused by feral pigs and cattle.

Gulf Savannah NRM CEO Zoe Williams said the funding will support much needed work in these ecologically critical parts of North West Queensland.

‘We are pleased to now have the necessary funding to work with local communities to tackle this issue and restore native vegetation in sensitive riparian areas’, Ms Williams said.

This project is funded by Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program (NRMEP).

GULF CROAKER 36

As well as predation, feral pigs cause widespread soil disturbance, destroy native vegetation, foul waterways, and spread diseases that can devastate livestock and wildlife alike. Their impact is felt across Queensland, costing agriculture and conservation millions of dollars each year.

These new remote traps use motion-sensor cameras and mobile technology to allow rangers and the GSNRM team to monitor sites and trigger the enclosures only when entire groups of pigs are inside. This improves animal welfare outcomes and maximises the effectiveness of each capture.

GSNRM will continue to work alongside QPWS and Western Yalanji to track the results over coming months.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Gulf Savannah NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.

Something for your glove box!

Thanks to the expertise of recently appointed Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Mandy Pickering, Grasses of the Northern Gulf Region is now available!

Discover over 40 grass species with images and scientific names, plus key info on land type, forage value, perennial status and productivity — all in one easy-to-use guide that fits in your glove box.

It’s the perfect field guide for landholders, ecologists and citizen scientists alike!

Contact us today to request your copy.

From conference to country Following the 2025 NRM Knowledge Conference in Cairns, 18 participants continued their conversations in the field by joining a two-day field trip co-hosted by Gulf Savannah NRM and Terrain NRM. The trip highlighted the diversity of our landscapes, from rainforest to savannah.

Project officers, botanists and Indigenous rangers shared their insights about working in wet sclerophyll forests, protecting threatened vine thickets and supporting sustainable agriculture locally.

Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves deeper into our unique region and meet iconic local species such as spectacle flying foxes and northern bettongs, not to mention some elusive birds spotted on the way.

Sign u NEWS p for LETTE our m with o onthly ur pro R newsle jects, e tter a v e nts an our w n d s ta ebsite d com y up t : www munit o date .gulfs y reso avann FOLLO ahnrm urces! Visit .org W US

Land monitoring unites experts Rangeland Agroecologist Consultants from Western Australia recently visited our region, meeting with local producers to share knowledge on understanding key land condition indicators.

Their visit was complemented by a James Cook University research tour, which saw rain gauges installed, motion-trap cameras deployed, and soil samples collected to support ongoing monitoring.

SPRING 37

THE SEASON AHEAD Temperature Projections Warmer-than-average conditions are expected across all regions (60%-80% chance maximum temperatures will be above average), with a heightened risk of extreme heat. This could mean increased heat stress for livestock, especially in areas forecast to exceed 40°C.

Oct Nov Dec

Get the latest climate info Want to stay up to date with weather and climate forecasts? Sign up for updates from the Northern Australia Climate Program and you'll get a monthly climate information update delivered straight to your inbox!

Livestock comfort:

Climate drivers:

Livestock are at risk of heat stress during spring. Check out the Accumulated Heat Load Unit forecast and the Cattle Comfort Index tools.

ENSO remains neutral, but La Niñalike conditions may briefly appear. The negative IOD is expected to persist, and sea surface temperatures around northern Australia remain among the warmest on record.

Gulf Savannah NRM is proud to be collaborating on this project with the University of Southern Queensland, the Bureau of Meteorology, the UK Met Office, state governments in QLD, NT and WA, and other NRM groups.

GULF CROAKER 38

Checklist: Northern Wet Season Identifying your risk Have you checked the weather forecast at your location?

Have you identified and analysed the potential risks in your location (flood and cyclone)?

Have you contacted your local council about flood or cyclone risk in your area?

Managing your risk Check with your local council and their disaster dashboard to access: flood plans or records in your area and local disaster updates local government and community disaster plans local flood arrangements information about road closures, river heights, evacuation centres.

Make an emergency plan and identify where to shelter during extreme weather. Complete your emergency plan at getready.qld.gov.au/plan.

Check your insurance covers flood and cyclone/storm damage.

Clear loose equipment and vegetation around buildings and access points. Clear gutters and downpipes.

Prepare an inventory of livestock, infrastructure, and equipment.

Ensure you have sufficient fodder, medication, and water supplies for animals.

Have materials ready to secure doors and windows.

Make a plan to move electrical equipment, chemicals and hazardous materials above ground level.

Locate and pack your critical documents such as financial, insurance, legal and identification details, and important plans in a portable waterproof container.

Back-up your critical data to a portable storage device and store it in a secure off-site location.

Pack an emergency kit and keep it where you can quickly retrieve it.

Include essential items, including keys, radio, torches, batteries, power bank, mobile phone and charger, essential medication, and first aid kit.

For a full Northern Wet Season Checklist and links to other useful resources, scan the QR code.

SPRING 39

Wet Season Emergency Contacts Emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) Triple Zero (000) One Zero Six (106) through your telephone typewriter (TTY)

Other services Flood and storm emergency assistance: SES 132 500 Alerts and evacuation centres: ABC local radio and council disaster dashboard Road conditions and closures: qldtraffic.qld.gov.au State-wide road conditions: 13 19 40 Animal emergencies: RSPCA Queensland 1300 264 625

Georgetown 106.1 FM

Croydon 105.9 FM

Dimbulah 91.7 FM

Mount Garnet 95.7 FM

Karumba 106.1 FM

Atherton 720 AM

Normanton 105.7 FM

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.