Coastline education at Beachport

FRIENDS of Seaweed and Holdfast Limestone Coast Incorporated invite the community to learn more about our diverse ocean algae by Walking the Seasons at Beachport in July.

The Friends group, with support from Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation and the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, embarked on a six-season journey to celebrate ocean algae along the Beachport coast and record local variations throughout the year.

Each walk is increasing the community’s appreciation of our diverse variety of seaweed. The walks also build scientific understanding of how its presence on our shoreline is impacted by the six seasons of the First Nations of the South East.

In January, during Shell and Wattle Seed Time, the coast was warm and still as First Nation’s Elder, Doug Nicholls, explained the importance of watching the seasons and caring for country according to seasonal change.

An ideal low tide for the Sugar and Eel Time Walk in March revealed all the colour and diversity of life clinging to the reef. Oyster catchers and seagulls enjoyed foraging in the rack.

Neville Bonney joined the walk and shared his knowledge of edible seaweeds and the importance of the plants that grow in the fixed dune system.

As the season cooled, Friends of Seaweed invited community to the third walk of the year, held during Cultural Ceremonial Time, a time to share lore and story.

The group created a collaborative ephemeral art piece celebrating the journey of the seasons, the pathway to deeper community understanding, and a better appreciation of the importance seaweed plays on our unique and fragile coastline.

Steve Chapple generously supported this event by capturing the moment on his camera before the rising waters reclaimed the artwork.

On Wednesday, July 22, the group will brave Emu Camp and Story Time at Beachport, continuing to collect data with the help of community participants.

Come along and share your love of our beautiful coastlines. Learn more about First Nations deep connection to the seasons of the Limestone Coast. Become a citizen scientist and understand the value of seaweed in the Limestone Coast region.

To register for this event, visit: https://www.holdfastlimestonecoast.com/walking-the-seasons

The six seasonal walks are funded by Friends of Parks and Nature South Australia, a statewide body of volunteer community groups that partner with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect our environmental and cultural heritage.