BCL is pleased to announce a new partnership with GeelongPort seeking to raise awareness on the value of Corio Bay’s costal ecosystems for climate change mitigation. The program will transform GeelongPort community members into citizen scientists, who advocate the protection and restoration of Victoria’s coastal wetlands and contribute to local blue carbon research.
Corio Bay has a wealth of blue carbon ecosystems (saltmarshes, mangroves and seagrass beds) that serve as natural carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. “It is important that the local community understands their value and advocates their protection for climate change mitigation and adaptation” explains Professor Peter Macreadie, head of Deakin’s Blue Carbon Lab.
Thanks to the support received from GeelongPort, we will be able to connect their employees with nature and advance climate change science by engaging participants in immersive learning experiences during six citizen science days.
These events will engage 150+ GeelongPort community members in:
– educational talks on climate change and coastal wetlands
– fieldwork to collect critical data to build the case for the restoration and protection of saltmarshes in Victoria.
This collaboration will help (i) educate the GeelongPort community and raise awareness of sustainability practices, (ii) collect publishable data on the ability of Australian coastal wetlands to mitigate climate change, and (iii) positively contribute to health, wellbeing and team-bonding of GeelongPort staff.
“We are excited about partnering with BCL” Dr Lisa Mills, Environment and Sustainability Manager at GeelongPort explained. “Initiatives such as this one set us on our way to becoming Australia’s most sustainable bulk port and contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of our region”. The project aligns with GeelongPort Environment Strategy, which includes a key focus on responsible management and protection of Corio Bay.


