Queensland Day is next week on Tuesday 6 June and each year some inspirational locals get honoured at the Noosa Queensland Day Awards.
As we move towards the big day, we showcase some of these dedicated locals who volunteer their time and donate their services for the benefit of our wonderful community.
In the spotlight this week, is Stephanie Haslam who moved to Noosa in 1994 and has been continuously involved in the environmental conservation movement including the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Noosa Parks Association Botany Group and the formation of the Urban Wildlife Garden program.
Stephanie has authored or co-authored a variety of publications which are unique to Noosa as a result of her decades long dedication and love of local botany. Most recently, the new Urban Wildlife Garden’s Handbook which was launched last weekend, What’s In Your Garden – Noosa Native Plants & Wildlife, co-authored with Sonia MacDonald.
Nominated for this award by Urban Wildlife Gardens, Stephanie led the charge to create the program in 2018 under the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association with funding support from Noosa Council and she continues to volunteer for this program today.
The focus of the program is activities to assist residents in protecting and enhancing nature in their Noosa back yards. This is the only program that is focused on nature conservation in urban area backyards which are a valuable part of the Biosphere.
The group now has over 145 members and is growing from strength to strength, with regular garden visits and workshops helping local residents to appreciate and protect wildlife in their gardens.
More information about the program can be found at noosariver.com.au/urban-wildlife-gardens/
Racking up nearly three decades of volunteering in Noosa, Stephanie’s commitment to knowledge sharing and new initiatives that benefit all in the community and nature is absolutely remarkable.
The Noosa Electorate Queensland Day awards are an initiative of Sandy Bolton MP sponsored by Noosa Today & Cooroy RSL.
Nominations are now closed and a full list of recipients and photos will be available after the awards ceremony in Noosa Today and on the website at sandybolton.com/qld-day-awards/
