Every patch counts!

What a wonderful morning of learning, sharing and inspiration at our Plant for Our Blue Planet workshop on Saturday 17 October at Burringbar Rainforest Nursery!

With the workshop at full capacity, 22 enthusiastic participants came together to explore how we can create wildlife-friendly gardens, support biodiversity and help protect our waterways and ocean — all from our own backyards.

Held as part of our Byron–Tweed Region Hope Spot Ocean Champion Program, the workshop explored the important connections between healthy habitats on land and the health of our aquatic and marine ecosystems.

With guidance from local experts Michael Corke from Tweed Shire Council and Matt Fitzgerald from Burringbar Rainforest Nursery, participants learnt about selecting suitable native plants, creating habitat for local wildlife, improving soil health and building more climate-resilient gardens.

We also explored how everyday gardening choices can influence the health of our waterways, including ways to reduce reliance on pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers.

Participants had the opportunity to explore the nursery, ask questions and develop ideas for their own Rewild Your Patch Plans, taking home practical knowledge and inspiration to put into action.

A huge thank you to Michael and Matt for generously sharing their expertise, to Burringbar Rainforest Nursery for hosting us, and to everyone who joined us with such enthusiasm!

The message from the morning was simple: you don’t need a large backyard to make a difference. Whether it’s a courtyard, balcony, a few pots or a larger garden, every patch can contribute to creating habitat and supporting biodiversity.

Keep Growing Your Ocean Champion Actions!

Inspired to create more habitat in your own patch? Explore our free online resources:

> Create a Wildlife-Friendly Backyard

> Natural Urban Gardens — Keep Chemicals Out of Our Waterways

This workshop was delivered through our Ocean Champion Program, with support from Patagonia’s 1% for the Planet initiative.

Together, we’re creating positive change for wildlife, waterways and our ocean — one patch at a time

What better way to celebrate Marine Protected Area Day than getting out on the ocean and exploring the incredible biodiversity of our Byron–Tweed Hope Spot!

In August, we welcomed a fantastic group of enthusiastic Ocean Champions to our Biodiversity Citizen Science Workshop and field trip, which was booked to full capacity! The workshop brought together community members for a hands-on day of marine research, biodiversity discovery and learning about the importance of protecting our oceans.

Exploring life above and below the surface

From observing and recording marine mammals to learning about the importance of long-term monitoring, citizen science teams gained first-hand experience of how scientific observations help us better understand these animals, their habitats and the pressures they face.

The team first completed a cetacean survey on-board the research vessel as we covered different areas of Byron Bay-searching for resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and migrating humpback whales.

Then it was time to explore beneath the surface!

At Nguthungulli (Julian Rocks), one of the region’s most spectacular marine biodiversity hotspots within Cape Byron Marine Park, participants took to the water to discover and document the extraordinary diversity of underwater life.

Armed with underwater cameras and plenty of curiosity, our citizen science Ocean Champions explored the reef environment, photographing and recording marine species to contribute observations to our Byron–Tweed Hope Spot Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist.

From the marine life visible above the surface to the incredible world beneath it, the experience highlighted just how interconnected and diverse our coastal and marine ecosystems are.

Discovering biodiversity beyond what we can see

Our field activities also included collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) samples and underwater sound recordings, introducing participants to additional scientific methods used to investigate marine biodiversity.

Environmental DNA allows researchers to detect genetic material that organisms leave behind in the water, offering another way to investigate which species may be present—even when they aren’t directly observed.

Underwater sound recordings provide valuable insights into the marine soundscape, helping us investigate biological sounds and the acoustic environment experienced by marine wildlife.

By combining visual observations, eDNA sampling and acoustic recordings, our research aims to build a more comprehensive picture of marine biodiversity across the Byron–Tweed Hope Spot.

Turning ocean discovery into conservation action

Our biodiversity project is part of our larger Ocean Champion Program, which empowers communities to take meaningful grassroots action to protect and conserve our oceans.

Citizen science is an important part of this work. By bringing people into the field and providing opportunities to participate in real scientific research, we’re helping build knowledge, develop practical skills and strengthen connections with our marine environment.

And the learning doesn’t stop when the field day ends!

Citizen scientists can continue contributing to our Byron–Tweed Hope Spot Biodiversity Project by photographing and recording the wildlife they encounter in our coastal and marine environments.

Every observation adds another piece to our growing picture of biodiversity across the Hope Spot.

A big thank you to our Ocean Champions!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this special day and brought such enthusiasm, curiosity and passion for our oceans!

We also extend our thanks to everyone who helped make the workshop possible.

Together, we’re building knowledge, inspiring ocean stewardship and taking action to help protect the incredible biodiversity of our Byron–Tweed Hope Spot.

Become an Ocean Champion!

Want to get involved in citizen science and help us discover, record and protect marine biodiversity?

Join our Byron–Tweed Hope Spot Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist or explore our free online Ocean Citizen Science Workshop to learn how you can contribute. Also check out our events page and join one of our upcoming field trips.

Discover it. Record it. Help protect it.