The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation (NBRF) hosted its annual Noosa Biosphere Awards, hailed a “fantastic celebration“, on Thursday 30 November at the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, with 140 guests from the local environment and sustainability sector turning out for the event.
Under the categories of land, water, wildlife, young eco-leader, people and economy (not-for-profit and business) the winners were Urban Wildlife Gardens, Ten Little Pieces, USC Detection Dogs for Conservation, Taylor Ladd-Hudson, Zero Emissions Noosa and Eco-cottages.
In addition, a special recognition award was presented to Noosa resident Bernard Jean for his outstanding contribution to conservation through his work with multiple organisations.
MC and NBRF inaugural deputy chair Phil Moran told guests the Noosa region was recognised by UNESCO to be uniquely positioned to balance our urbanised population and tourism destination while preserving biodiversity.
“The awards provide a platform in the community effort to maintain a balance between nature and people,“ he said.
“We’re all here to do one thing – to look after the planet.“
Noosa was designated a biosphere reserve in 2007 and joins the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, alongside 737 other biosphere reserves in 134 countries.
Professor Peter Bridgewater, former Secretary of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, delivered the event’s keynote address, sharing inspiration and insights on what makes Noosa special and what we can learn from biosphere reserves around the world.
“It’s easy to be green but more difficult to be sustainable,“ he said.
“What’s unique about Noosa as a biosphere is nothing and everything.
“You are not living in a natural landscape, you are living in a cultural landscape – you share that with all biospheres around the world.
“What is unique is its cultural content.
“Each biosphere has features that are unique because of the biodiversity and the interaction of people in it.
“The way to a sustainable future is to reconcile ourselves with the land, water, wildlife and culture, and with each other.
“We cannot be sustainable if we’re not listening and talking to each other.
“A biosphere is about ensuring sustainability, the health of people and the whole of nature and giving hope for the future.“
Now in its third year, the Noosa Biosphere Awards are a testament to the individuals who are leading conservation efforts in the Noosa region.
NBRF chair Fiona Berkin described the event as a “great celebration of community and environment“.
“The 23 finalists represent our community’s unique approach to building a thriving local economy, while respecting the living environment around us. These shared values are what makes Noosa a great model to the rest of the world,“ she said.
Ms Berkin thanked the participants and sponsors including event sponsor Maravista Farm.
The awards recognised individuals and businesses who demonstrated environment and sustainability excellence in the Noosa Shire, in alignment with the UNESCO MAB.
The Land category award was presented to the Urban Wildlife Gardens project by Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) for producing a resource for urban land holders to increase their ecology by using native plants and turning their gardens into wildlife sanctuaries.
The Water category was won by Alison Foley for her Ten Little Pieces project. Alison said the idea for the project was sparked on Noosa Main beach five years ago after she challenged her kids to find 10 pieces of rubbish in exchange for ice-creams. When they returned with armfuls of rubbish she initiated a Facebook page aimed at teaching kids more about the ocean environment and changing behaviours to make a difference.
The Wildlife category award was presented to the University of the Sunshine Coast Detection Dogs for Conservation. Team spokeswoman Briana Gardener said the group had a common goal to have some impact on environment. She said among their work with trained detection dogs they were looking locally at the distribution of koalas and threats to koalas, and in working with local researchers, councillors and rescuers they were optimistic for the future of koalas. “You see yourself as a cog in a machine that works,“ she said.
Young Eco-Leader category winner Taylor Ladd-Hudson, 15, began working with several conservation groups in 2020 after discovering what shark nets and drum lines were doing in her marine backyard and how they were affecting all marine life not just sharks, and the need to educate young people.
“We’re all in this room to protect and conserve our biosphere,“ she said.
The People and Economy (Not-for-profit) category award was won by the team at Zero Emissions Noosa.
The People and Economy (Business) category award was won by Eco Cottages and received on their behalf by Nathan Phipps.
Award entries were judged by an independent panel from across the local community, including Rex Halverson, Peter Hunnam, Judy Castledine, Benjamin Derrick, Noosa Councillors Amelia Lorentson and Karen Finzel, and Noosa Biosphere Awards 2022 Young Eco-Leader Winner, Jarrah Small.
For more information, visit noosabiosphere.org.au/
