SURG has been successful in its application for the Environmental Trust Community Education grant. This grant is a community action blueprint to enhance estuarine habitat resilience. SURG members will undertake in-water estuarine surveys to determine the presence of threatened and protected marine species and identify the critical habitat they rely upon.
The project will involve the following:
- Seagrass cover, areas with complex habitats and deep holes will be geo-referenced along four estuaries.
- Mini-baited underwater video will identify species that use these habitats during different seasons.
- Information collected will form the foundation of interpretive educational material to be displayed at high-use locations along the estuaries.
- Debris surveys and visual censuses will be conducted in and adjacent to critical habitats to quantify local threats to critical habitats.
- Interpretive plaques will be placed on estuary boardwalks with brochures and teaching material developed and made available to the wider community via volunteer groups and government websites.
Details of Environmental Trust Community Education applications are available on http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/2014EDcomm.htm#surg
