Moreton Bay Wetlands Expo

We are lucky to live in a very special part of the world. However, did you know our community is about to celebrate a silver anniversary?

The 25th anniversary of the  Ramsar Convention in Moreton Bay!

Ramsar? That sounds like one of those tech termsbut Ramsar is actually a town in Iran ' so why would we be celebrating that? Let me explain.

In the 60s and 70s, global concern started to grow around the loss and degradation of wetland habitat for migratory birds. In 1971, Australia was one of seven nations to sign an agreement to conserve and wisely use wetlands across the globe. This happened in the small Iranian town of Ramsar ' hence Ramsar Convention. Since then, 90% of all countries have signed up.

Why is this important? This beautiful blue-green jewel we live on is interconnected in ways we would not even imagine¦

Take for example, the Red-necked Stint. This tiny migratory shorebird weighs just 30 grams, and completes a 25,000 km round trip to sit-out the Siberian winter in Moreton Bay. Can you imagine that? An amazing, seemingly fragile species, flies half way around the world, to rest and feed in our own backyard.

These international visitors can be found in Moreton Bay from October to March, alongside the Alaskan Bar-tailed Godwit (flying non-stop across the Pacific to get here) to take up residence alongside our own home-grown Pied Oystercatcher.

And these birds are just part of the reason Redcliffe Environmental Forum (REF) is celebrating in a big way ' cue the Moreton Bay Wetlands Expo.

Moreton Bay gained Ramsar status in 1993, so to highlight this 25th anniversary and celebrate our beautiful bay, REF has gathered together the crème de la crème of enviro people for an Expo.

So, on Sunday, 21st October, head to Deception Bay and take a wetlands walk with University of Queensland experts, hear talks by scientists from the Department of Environment and Science, and chat with volunteers from Wildlife Queensland, Coralwatch and around a dozen other exhibitors. It promises to be a feast for the senses, with touch tanks, marine audio experiences, and great activities for the kids.
Get along to the Wetlands Expo ' you will be amazed at what's here in our own backyard!

What:  Moreton Bay Wetlands Expo
Where: Captain Cook Parade, Deception Bay
When:
10am to 2pm, Sunday 21st October