Gecko has a new Management Committee for 2019-2020. If you wish to become involved in their numerous projects or as a volunteer, email office@gecko.org.au

At Gecko Talks 23rd October in Currumbin RSL the talk will be about Australia's bees. "While the charismatic, highly eusocial stingless bees have become the rock stars of the bee world, and a handful of solitary bees like blue banded bees and teddy bear bees have become popular B-grade celebrities, most of our bee species get paid very little, or no attention......".

Generally Gecko members are pleased with The Spit Master Plan which provides for all of the public open space to be retained and enhance with either native planting and, where appropriate basic public facilities.

Are you looking for something active, loaded with educational fun and a little bit different for the children to enjoy during school holidays? Then look no further than GeckoEd’s super popular EcoDiscoverers’ school holiday program. A lifelong interest in the amazing Gold Coast environment could begin with an EcoDiscoverer adventure. Held in the sheltered Currumbin Estuary with the low cost of $10 per child per session, with small class sizes and available for children 5 – 9 years. Our programs are conducted by experienced Teachers with Blue cards in a safe, nurturing environment with lots of fun, games, stories and hands on activities. Parents may accompany their children to share in the wonderful experience that is, EcoDiscoverers. Bookings are essential. These programs often sell out quickly so don’t delay in enrolling in your course and date of choice. Programs run from 9am – 11am (unless otherwise stated) and all children are required to bring a water bottle, morning tea, hat, sunscreen and a sense of adventure. Other EcoDiscoverers’ programs include a Kids Club every Friday afternoon during the school term as well as Birthday Parties based around our EcoDiscoverers’ activities. If you would like more information email: EcoDiscoverers@gecko.org.au or phone Cheryl 0400 703 898 and one of the Team will contact you.

On Wednesday 9th October 2019, Gecko Environment Council Assoc Inc (Gecko) will be holding our 30th Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm, and cordially invite all our members to attend. We hope you will attend this event, hear about all the activities Gecko has been involved with over the past year and welcome in our new Committee for 2019-2020. Thereafter we will hold a short General Meeting with a light supper. We look forward to catching up with friends and members old and new. Please contact office@gecko.org.au or telephone 55341412 for any enquiries or to send a proxy vote.

Gecko Talks – Seedling or Weedling? Expand the Bush by Knowing the Difference Gecko Talks – September 25th at Currumbin RSL Many Gold Coasters volunteer  their time conducting bush regeneration and removing environmental weeds to allow endemic species to flourish

We all know the diseases mosquitos can spread. But few of us know much about the tiny insectivores working tirelessly on our behalf to control those mozzies. That’s where Professor Maria Nicolae comes in, championing the cause of microbats. ‘They play very important roles in controlling the insect population. But they’re under extreme pressure for survival everywhere, pressure that we can help relieve,’ she says.

Gecko's Annual Environmental Awards Night is to be held 7th September 2019. Nominations of people who have helped the Gold Coast environment are welcome. See www.gecko.org.au/environmental awards night to nominate someone soon.

Springbrook National Park is a short drive inland from Surfers Paradise and is a national park that is so exceptional that it has the status of being a World Heritage listed area, but it too suffers from all the same threats and needs our ongoing support and protection from inappropriate development.

In recent months the Department of Tourism has called for expressions of interest for development of eco- tourism ventures in National Parks. Queensland has only 7% of its area as national park, compared to 50% in Tasmania, however the Government has decided that in order to attract more tourists, developments should be allowed in national parks. Gecko has no objection to day visitors to national parks and would like to see better facilities and interpretation in our parks, but we cannot condone development in any national park.