Walker Bay monitoring clean-up

As Curator of the Cooktown Botanic Garden and Gallop Botanic Reserve, I had the privilege of participating in the Walker Bay Monitoring Clean-up, a fantastic initiative led by Reef Clean and funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust. The event brought together South Cape York Catchments, staff and students from Cooktown State School to tackle marine pollution and contribute to critical environmental studies.

It was an inspiring day filled with education and action. Working alongside the students, we explored the impacts of marine debris on our coastline and ecosystems, linking their studies to the local environment in a meaningful way. The students showed a genuine eagerness to learn. They made impressive contributions to the clean-up efforts while gaining a deeper understanding of how our choices affect seascapes and marine biodiversity.

We focused on collecting and cataloguing debris from Walker Bay as part of ongoing monitoring and data collection efforts. This information is vital in informing strategies to combat marine pollution across the region. Seeing the students actively engaged in this process, connecting science with real-world outcomes, was truly rewarding.

Beyond the clean-up itself, the day was a brilliant opportunity to help foster a sense of stewardship among the younger generation. Watching their excitement grow as they realised their contributions were part of a more significant environmental effort reinforced the value of such events.

This collaboration between local organisations, schools, and the community highlights the strength of working together to protect and preserve our unique natural landscapes. It was a privilege to represent the Cooktown Botanic Garden and Gallop Botanic Reserve in this vital work and to witness such a strong commitment to making a difference for our environment through our younger generation.