When was your group formed and why?
Positive Change for Marine Life (PCFML) was formed in 2012. Inspired by a newfound understanding of global challenges and the importance of marine ecosystems, we aimed to create positive change through education, collaboration, and community engagement.
At the time, our Founder Karl had no experience running a non-profit organisation, and we weren’t sure how to develop strategies, attract community support, or raise the funds necessary to create the change our oceans desperately needed. However, we were fueled by passion and a belief that it’s better to try and fail than to do nothing at all. Fastforward 12 years and we are running conservation programs in three countries - Australia, India and the Solomon Islands!
Photo: Brunswick River Kayak Marine Debris Clean Up with Volunteers
How many members do you currently have? What are the key skillsets and areas of experience across your group?
We have 60 members and an active volunteer group of over 200 people. We have also launched the Brunswick River Online Community Hub to foster collaborative catchment management!
Our team is made up of conservation scientists, community engagement specialists, spatial mapping and data specialists, and of course our wonderful volunteer and intern community - often marine biology or conservation science students.
Photo: Volunteers planting native riparian trees along the Brunswick River
How long have you been a member group with NCC for now? What are some key collaborative actions you’ve taken with the NCC network?
I think a few years! We haven't had the chance to collaborate (from my understanding) until recently when the team came for a site visit on the Brunswick River. We showed them an example of a riparian restoration site where we planted 700 native tree species and 200 grey mangroves in the intertidal zone. We also fenced off cattle as they were trampling the banks. We got permission from a landowner to do this work as this bank was heavily effected by the 2022 floods in the northern rivers.
How are you predominantly involved with NCC now?
Follow your work and involved with your wetlands campaign.
What projects are you focusing on currently?
Rewilding our Floodplains - we rewild blue forests and coastal floodplains to create climate and nature resilience.
Our Rewilding our Floodplains program takes an integrated, ecosystem approach to determine waterway health based on key environmental factors. We work with the community to develop solutions that will create real change and long-lasting rejuvenation of our catchments and the ocean, exploring multi-stakeholder strategic corridors that create a bridge across catchments, from source to sea, while providing long-term climate resilience.
Most recent updates - planting of 200 mangroves using a new method to enhance survival rate. See here
What are the biggest challenges you face as a group in achieving your goals at the moment?
Resources and funding. We are tiny team with incredible and necessary goals. We have all the mapping, data, tools and science to get the work done we are just struggling to secure enough funds to maintain and grow our internal staff. If you'd like to support us to keep doing the important work we're doing, you can donate here.
Photo: Brunswick River Kayak Marine Debris Clean Up with Volunteers
What are you most excited about at this current time?
The recent focus on wetland conservation and the blue economy - the power of investing in these ecosystems has for people and planet.
Photo: Drone Image - Brunswick River riparian restoration site, volunteers planted 700 native riparian species and fenced off cattle from the river
Are there any opportunities for collaboration for the NCC network that you’d like to put forward?
At this stage with our limited capacity and funding, we would be interested in collaborating for a wetlands fundraiser that could help us continue making an impact in NSW. We also take donations if you'd like to contribute here.
What inspires/moves you to keep doing the work to protect nature?
The passion our community has for protecting our waterways, and the happiness nature provides. Every time we run an event, whether it be a clean-up, planting, or monitoring session, all participants leave feeling more in tune with nature. This makes me think and hope that beyond our work, they are more inclined to protect it in their everyday lives.
Of course, living in a coastal community of Australia, I am naturally connected to the ocean and our waterways. With such diverse marine species, incredible waves, and almost always clear water, I do this work because I want others to get the chance to experience the calming, powerful, and humbling elements of our ocean.
If you'd like to find out more, you can go to our website. Donations are always welcome to ensure we can continue this important work. You can also follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Photo: Brunswick River Kayak Marine Debris Clean Up with Volunteers