Grant for marine rocks project

Peninsula-based marine conservation group Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI), have been successful in obtaining a $14,000 grant from the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

OCCI Project Officer Ms Jeannie Lawson said that part of the grant would be spent on a marine education course known as "Project Aware on the Rocks", which would begin in February.

"Project Aware on the Rocks is a comprehensive and valuable course about the marine environment, specifically rock platforms, set up to give the general community an opportunity to learn about and help conserve our precious rock platform environments," Ms Lawson said.

"It began on Sydney's northern beaches as a response to community concerns over pressures being put on fragile marine areas and the impacts that our growing population has on these regions.

"The course is designed as an easy pace, easy learning tool to educate the broader community about marine conservation.

"Topics covered include coastal ecology, marine organism identification and regulations, multi-cultural considerations, safety, conservation overview and research as well as the opportunity to participate in a university survey being conducted on Central Coast rock platforms.

"It is designed for adults but students above primary school level are also welcome."

The course is held over a six-week period and consists of three evening lectures, two field trips and a project session.

"The course is free but participants are asked to give back some form of project that will educate the broader community about the things they've learned," Ms Lawson said.

OCCI has facilitated the course twice before over the past four years.

"Interest has already been raised by the marine studies department of Brisbane Water Secondary College at Woy Woy, and other marine studies high schools are encouraged to participate as well," Ms Lawson said.

An information session will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 7.30pm, and the course begins two weeks later.

For bookings and inquiries contact OCCI on 4341 4291.

Ms Lawson said the remainder of the grant money would go towards further production of the groups' Mollusc Man CDROM which was produced for local schools last year.

"The CD has received rave reviews and increased distribution has been requested," Ms Lawson said.

"Distribution will now be expanded to include schools from all areas of the Hunter-Central Rivers region which extends to the Hunter Valley and as far north as Taree."

Press release, 21 Jan 2007 Jeannie Lawson, Ocean and Coastal Care Initiative