Fraser Island Pandanus Rescue
Donation protected
Fraser Island (K’Gari), has suffered catastrophic losses. Up to 50% of the east coasts Pandanus have perished (approximately 50,000 plants).
A further 20 % are likely perish without intervention within the next two months. You can help.
Preserving the remaining Pandanus is crucial for successful natural regeneration, and vital for many-many species of wildlife that rely on them for food and habitat.
The Pandanus on Fraser Island (K'Gari) need help right now.
Many thousands of Pandanus can be saved, months have passed seeking relevant approvals.
Now is the time for action!
There is absolute personal and “inkind” support from all organisations involved in managing Fraser Island and surrounding coastal areas. There are plans in place for indigenous volunteers to save the smaller plants.
Currently there is no funding available for the professional arborists needed to perform this urgent hands on life saving work.
Become part of the team that funds immediate action to save these iconic beautiful trees, and be proud when you next visit the island and sit under a large Pandanus canopy.
Pictured above: Indian Headland has suffered extreme dieback (greater than 95%). Many other localised areas have had similar losses.
The deaths have been caused by an accidentally introduced 'pest' insect, the 'Pandanus Leafhopper' (Jamella australiae).
A tiny 1mm long native wasp, proven successful in other parts of eastern Australia, was released and has reduced leafhopper numbers to 'safe levels'.
https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/mediareleases/2015-10-26-wasp.html
However, many plants have declined and are likely to perish due to the extremely high leafhopper infestations that were present prior to the wasps establishment.
Current known extent of the Pandanus leafhopper on K'Gari. More leafhopper outbreaks will occur on the far northern and western shores of K’Gari in the future. Awareness and monitoring, and quick wasp releases will prevent large scale dieback.
The Solution
We Need: To raise $80,000 ASAP, to kickstart an Urgent Action team to save the surviving yet critically effected and rapidly dying Pandanus.
The Plan: With YOUR help many thousands of critically affected Pandanus can be saved and you can be a part of the journey. Strong collaboration is in place between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (NPSR), traditional custodians (Butchulla prescribed body corporate), community and environment groups, and supporting Fraser Island tourism buisnesses.
*Initial funds will be used immediately and directly to hire contract arborists and provide ealth and safety equipment for indigenous, and other volunteers to perform the necessary leaf stripping work.
*A film will be produced to document the fascinating ecosystem interactions and lifesaving work, and to share with you in beautiful detail, the majestic natural wonders and wildlife interactions enjoyed by tourists, locals and Fraser islands traditional and neocustodians.
* For eductaion and management purposes, a Pandanus dieback management guide style film will be produced specifically for coastal ecosystem managers. It will be made utilizing the latest film-production, research and insect management techniques.
*A Pandanus dieback management guide booklet will be produced specifically for coastal ecosystem managers .
*Progressive funding will be sought to perform the same urgent dieback mitigation work at nearby Cooloola National Park (currently being reviewed for World Heritage listing), Agnes Water /1770- Deepwater National Park (Captain Cook and crews first stop in Queensland and collection site of botanist Sir Joseph Banks), Mon Repo (Australia’s largest concentration of nesting sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead), and other high priority dieback affected sites.
*Fraser Island Queensland Parks offer support and inkind assistance for all approved works.
*Local resorts have offered food and accomadation assistance.
*Indigenous youth have offered to volunteer under the respected guidance of local project leaders. This will save many of the smaller Pandanus.
*Skilled and insured arborists are necessary for the taller plants (Many over 5m-10m tall).
Continue reading below for further information....
How Pandanus dieback occurs-Pandanus Leafhopper *(follow link at end of page for detailed information)
This the story of Pandanus tectorius, one of the most important plant species for coastal wildlife biodiversity in ecosystems across the east Australian coastline, and love…...
Our love, and landscape use of the iconic coastal Pandanus tree, has resulted in the accidental dispersal of a pest insect, the Pandanus leaf hopper (Jamella australiae). It was originally native to northern Australia and is currently actively spreading throughout Pandanus populations south of Townsville.
This insect loves Pandanus and Pandanus only. They lovingly provide a sugary honey dew for their newly emerged offspring to feed on. Without their primary predator, populations increased rapidly. The excessive amounts of honey dew produced result in a process of fungal and secondary insect attack. This rapidly leads to death of both young and old Pandanus. Plagues of leaf hoppers spread and wipe out entire Pandanus communities, destroying the chance of food and habitat for their own offspring and an immense number of directly and indirectly reliant wildlife. (Sounds a bit like the story of humans...) But where is the love gone?
The love is found in the solution. Not to undertake an impossible task of using expensive and time consuming chemical pesticides that result in more unnecessary death and ecosystem disruption, but rather to restore the natural balance.
In this instance the balance is restored by releasing the leaf hoppers primary parasite, a 1 millimetre long- host specific parisitoid wasp (Aphanomerus nr. Pusillus).
Leafhopper adults, nymphs at right of picture. Freshly emerged and egg laying wasps at left.
Natures balance (The Parasitoid Wasp)
In an Ironic twist of codependency, the adult wasps feed on the leaf hoppers honey dew, and then the loving mother wasp, inserts her eggs one by one, into the eggs of the leaf hopper (pictured below).
Protected and nourished in the egg of the unformed leaf hopper egg case, the wasps larvae grow rapidly. In two to three weeks’ adult wasps emerge, find love and and repeat the cycle. If a female doesn’t find love she still has offspring but they are all male! The wasps never completely eradicate all leaf hoppers. They do however parasitise often over 95% of leafhopper egg rafts. And the two insects exist in a kind of beautiful balance and symbiosis. The wasps completely and totally reliant on the leaf hopper, the leaf hoppers reliant on the wasp to prevent their own sheer numbers from destroying their only food and habitat plant species.
Where the REAL LOVE comes into the story amidst such catastrophic Pandanus mortality; When mother nature’s predator prey balance is restored, and Pandanus are healthy, the presence of these leafhoppers ironically increase the abundance of the insect feeding wildlife present, and the biodiversity within each Pandanus population.
A pest insect loved by all the many, many creatures that feed on it ;-).
Profile: Pandanus tectorius
Pandanus are an ancient palm-like plant species, predating most flowering plants. They have a widespread global distribution from the tropics to the subtropics, with marine seed dispersal (similar to coconuts), and a long global history of human cultivation. Seeds are also dispersed overland by many and various wildlife species, and historically by coastal indigenous people. Each plant is either a male or a female, needless to say only female produce fruit. Both sexes produce large characteristic prop roots. They can naturally clone themselves, roots often shoot from each growth head of older individuals, if the plant is knocked over, or branches break off, large stands can be formed.
East Australian Pandanus populations occurring from Townsville to Port Macquarie are at risk from Pandanus leafhopper induced dieback, including the coral Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Pandanus are loved and cherished by many people across coastal eastern Australia, and commonly features in tourist brochures and magazines, government agency and business logos, and personal photograph albums of all who visit and enjoy our coastline (check out your own, if you haven'deliberately photographed a Pandanus, there’s a high chance a Pandanus has ‘photo bombed’ your personal photo’s!).
They are an iconic species extensively used for their aesthetic appeal, as focal landscape specimens and regularly and proudly feature in tourism and council advertising campaigns, i.e. “ that tropical feel”.
Pandanus were deeply revered by coastal indigenous people, providing year round shelter from sun, wind, rain, and a permanently available source of food, and fiber for a broad range of uses (nets, dilli bags, etc.).
The environmental service they provide in coastal ecosystems is second to none. Roots spread remarkably far from mature plants, regularly over 20-30 meters, providing critically important dune stabilization. They protect less tolerant species from the harsh wind and salt spray (that frequent coastal areas). They provide food and incomparable habitat to an immense number of fauna, including possums, many rodent species, micro bats, many birds, geckos, skinks, innumerable moths, beetles, spiders, and many other lessor known insects.
Profile: Joel Fostin (Age 37)
Passion
A strong passion and deep love for living creatures and the natural world has been a dominant influence throughout my school, family and working life. The self-acquired observational knowledge, and knowledge and skills gained through study, has provided me with great insight into biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. I intend to use this knowledge to be truly productive in preserving this unique and irreplaceable flora and fauna of Australia.
Direction
My future goals are predominantly focused on preservation and/or regeneration of terrestrial ecosystems (particularly riparian and coastal ecosystems) by doing my part to implement informed management practices, with a specific focus on fire ecology, invasive species and IPM utilizing effective bio control agents.
With years of marine experience as a diver, fisher, spear fisherman and surfer, I also intend to dedicate much of my time to introduce proactive legislation and protection of marine stocks that I have personally observed under a very real decline and threatened by continuation of non-sustainable practices.
Pandanus dieback (a call to action)
I first heard of the insect responsible for Pandanus dieback around 7 years ago while working as a land and environment manager of a majestic coastal eco estate at my home town, near the town of 1770. My understanding of the issue like most others was vague. While surfing the headland of my home surf break (Agnes Water) I noticed severe dieback. With newly acquired research skills, gained whilst undertaking an Environmental Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, I began the search for answers. I quickly realized there was little accurate or detailed information available, and certainly no management guides for on-ground coastal managers. Despite losing my van (my home) to the rising tide during field research on an isolated beach, I remained undeterred.
Soon after writing two university assignments on Pandanus dieback, and experimentally captive rearing the parasitoid wasp I heard of the plight on Fraser. Upon seeing firsthand the extent of the death my heart was called to action. With the inkind support of environmental groups and Fraser Island National Park service I voluntarily captive bred and released thousands of wasps at strategic locations across the Islands east coast. This was only successful due to the personal support, assistance and collaboration from the many caring and professional people involved.
Countless hours have been spent since performing labarotory and field research, including a volunteer placement at the Queensland Museum, to delve deeper into the secondary insects co-contributing to dieback, and the parasitoid wasp, yet to be officially named (the advent of pesticides has left this revolutionising
agricultural and environmental management Genus of wasps largely overlooked, the last research being carried out in 1912). The research work continues..
I have recently set up a facebook page to act as a Pandanus dieback information sharing and education source.
Acknowledgements
I respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians who lovingly, and with deliberate intent cared for and shaped the ecosystems of K’gari, following the primary law “whatever is good for the land comes first”. I acknowledge the unthinkable crimes against the Butchulla people and the intricate ecosystem management knowledge that has been lost as a result. I whole heartedly desire to assist mending this gap through aiding to connect indigenous youth to land, documenting, rediscovering, and sharing the knowledge that will ensure effective-protective long term survival of our ecosystems and all life within.
To all the Queensland Parks staff who have given their hearts and even personal time, thankyou. A special thanks to Linda Behrendorff, Dan Novak, Ross Belcher and Barbara Kingston for their suport and encouragement.
A special thanks to John Sinclair, Sue Sargent, Butchulla elders Glen Miller, Uncle Malcom Burns, and so so many more.
Full respect and acknowledgment to the passionate and dedicated people involved in previous Pandanus dieback research and prevention. The Late Dan Smith well respected for his work and the massive reduction in pesticide use it facilitated. Full appreciation to Nat Smith who in conjunction with his father and others produced solid scientific papers on dieback, and still to this day assists personally in dieback management.
Past and present supporters and collaborators
- BMRG (Burnett Mary Regional Group); Saranne Guidice, Rod Bucannon, Lynda Wills, and others
- NPSR (Queensland Parks); Nat Smith, Fraser Island, Cooloola, Agnes Water, Linda Berendorf, Dan Novak, Ross Belcher, Barbara Kingston, and all the many rangers that have supported only at work but also in their personal time.
- FIDO (Fraser Island Defenders Organisation) John Sinclair, and many volunteers for personal assistance and kind support.
- FINIA (Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance) Sue Sargent, and support team.
- DAFF- Tim Smith, Tom Lewis, Helen Nahrung
- Coolum Coastcare- Leigh .., Tony Gibson, and many other wise, supportive members.
- Bugs for bugs; Dan Papacek for advice and caring and generous support.
- Noosa Parks Association- Darlene Gower
- Discovery coast environmental group
- Councils; Noosa- Sara Cooke, Kylie Gordon and others; Sunshine Coast-Julie Oconnor, Sonny Wilson, Conor Jenkins, Bundaberg- Nick Maclean; Fraser Coast- July Musgrave, Maree Prior, Tina Ravenhoe
- Queensland Museum; (Dr Chris Burwell, and all the kind passionate and knowledgeable staff from the 6th floor.
- CSRIO; Dr Rolf Oberprieler, Erin Kenna, and others for referrals
- Biosecurity Queensland; Liz Snow, Dhileepan Kunijithapatham
- Traditional custodian supporters; Glen Miller, Geneveive Jones, Brad Crosbie, Kathryn Miller, Conrad, Dustin, and others
- The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC); Graham Ashford, Dan Shelley, Sanjeev Srivastava, Thomas Schlacher, Javier Leon, Lyris Snowden
- The Green Army; Lucas White and the quick to learn and keen young men.
- My good friends who have supported and patiently listened to Pandanus talk. A special thanks to Brenton, Drew, and Camille for the awesome work producing the crowd source film.
- The wonderful and caring ladies who have helped with media release and this crowd source page; Raeleen Kaesehagan, Louis Clark (Ebb and flow studios), Sharyn Kerrigan, Rochelle Gooch, thankyou :-)
- Family; my understanding and supportive, parents, siblings, extended family and beautiful insightful and unconditionally loving children Kalem and Chloe.
And many, many more, my apologies to those my mind may have overlooked, my heart doesn’t forget :-)
End Note
Pandanus dieback is a complex story with simple and easy to apply management solutions.
Awareness through knowledge sharing and is crucial to preventing further ecosystem losses.
Many threatening yet fascinating plant and animal interactions just like this story of the Pandanus and ascociated insects and wildlife exist in nature.
My life mission is to work alongside the many passionate and knowledgeable neo custodians and traditional custodians in collecting and implementing the latest research and on ground solutions, that will assist in the preservation of our precious ecosystems and all the life they support,
"Giving a voice to the life that has no voice".
I take this role very seriously and with passion and with a great sense of responsibility. My intentions are to carry on this very important social role, and share the amazing and awe inspiring beauty and wonder with as many people as possible.
With passion, love, commitment and integrity,
Joel :-)
Fore more detailed information go to: https://www.facebook.com/Pandanus-Dieback-Education-and-Information-Page-384590008548221/
A further 20 % are likely perish without intervention within the next two months. You can help.
Preserving the remaining Pandanus is crucial for successful natural regeneration, and vital for many-many species of wildlife that rely on them for food and habitat.
The Pandanus on Fraser Island (K'Gari) need help right now.
Many thousands of Pandanus can be saved, months have passed seeking relevant approvals.
Now is the time for action!
There is absolute personal and “inkind” support from all organisations involved in managing Fraser Island and surrounding coastal areas. There are plans in place for indigenous volunteers to save the smaller plants.
Currently there is no funding available for the professional arborists needed to perform this urgent hands on life saving work.
Become part of the team that funds immediate action to save these iconic beautiful trees, and be proud when you next visit the island and sit under a large Pandanus canopy.
Pictured above: Indian Headland has suffered extreme dieback (greater than 95%). Many other localised areas have had similar losses.The deaths have been caused by an accidentally introduced 'pest' insect, the 'Pandanus Leafhopper' (Jamella australiae).
A tiny 1mm long native wasp, proven successful in other parts of eastern Australia, was released and has reduced leafhopper numbers to 'safe levels'.
https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/mediareleases/2015-10-26-wasp.html
However, many plants have declined and are likely to perish due to the extremely high leafhopper infestations that were present prior to the wasps establishment.
Current known extent of the Pandanus leafhopper on K'Gari. More leafhopper outbreaks will occur on the far northern and western shores of K’Gari in the future. Awareness and monitoring, and quick wasp releases will prevent large scale dieback.The Solution
We Need: To raise $80,000 ASAP, to kickstart an Urgent Action team to save the surviving yet critically effected and rapidly dying Pandanus.
The Plan: With YOUR help many thousands of critically affected Pandanus can be saved and you can be a part of the journey. Strong collaboration is in place between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (NPSR), traditional custodians (Butchulla prescribed body corporate), community and environment groups, and supporting Fraser Island tourism buisnesses.
*Initial funds will be used immediately and directly to hire contract arborists and provide ealth and safety equipment for indigenous, and other volunteers to perform the necessary leaf stripping work.
*A film will be produced to document the fascinating ecosystem interactions and lifesaving work, and to share with you in beautiful detail, the majestic natural wonders and wildlife interactions enjoyed by tourists, locals and Fraser islands traditional and neocustodians.
* For eductaion and management purposes, a Pandanus dieback management guide style film will be produced specifically for coastal ecosystem managers. It will be made utilizing the latest film-production, research and insect management techniques.
*A Pandanus dieback management guide booklet will be produced specifically for coastal ecosystem managers .
*Progressive funding will be sought to perform the same urgent dieback mitigation work at nearby Cooloola National Park (currently being reviewed for World Heritage listing), Agnes Water /1770- Deepwater National Park (Captain Cook and crews first stop in Queensland and collection site of botanist Sir Joseph Banks), Mon Repo (Australia’s largest concentration of nesting sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead), and other high priority dieback affected sites.
*Fraser Island Queensland Parks offer support and inkind assistance for all approved works.
*Local resorts have offered food and accomadation assistance.
*Indigenous youth have offered to volunteer under the respected guidance of local project leaders. This will save many of the smaller Pandanus.
*Skilled and insured arborists are necessary for the taller plants (Many over 5m-10m tall).
Continue reading below for further information....
How Pandanus dieback occurs-Pandanus Leafhopper *(follow link at end of page for detailed information)
This the story of Pandanus tectorius, one of the most important plant species for coastal wildlife biodiversity in ecosystems across the east Australian coastline, and love…...
Our love, and landscape use of the iconic coastal Pandanus tree, has resulted in the accidental dispersal of a pest insect, the Pandanus leaf hopper (Jamella australiae). It was originally native to northern Australia and is currently actively spreading throughout Pandanus populations south of Townsville.
This insect loves Pandanus and Pandanus only. They lovingly provide a sugary honey dew for their newly emerged offspring to feed on. Without their primary predator, populations increased rapidly. The excessive amounts of honey dew produced result in a process of fungal and secondary insect attack. This rapidly leads to death of both young and old Pandanus. Plagues of leaf hoppers spread and wipe out entire Pandanus communities, destroying the chance of food and habitat for their own offspring and an immense number of directly and indirectly reliant wildlife. (Sounds a bit like the story of humans...) But where is the love gone?
The love is found in the solution. Not to undertake an impossible task of using expensive and time consuming chemical pesticides that result in more unnecessary death and ecosystem disruption, but rather to restore the natural balance.
In this instance the balance is restored by releasing the leaf hoppers primary parasite, a 1 millimetre long- host specific parisitoid wasp (Aphanomerus nr. Pusillus).
Leafhopper adults, nymphs at right of picture. Freshly emerged and egg laying wasps at left.Natures balance (The Parasitoid Wasp)
In an Ironic twist of codependency, the adult wasps feed on the leaf hoppers honey dew, and then the loving mother wasp, inserts her eggs one by one, into the eggs of the leaf hopper (pictured below).
Protected and nourished in the egg of the unformed leaf hopper egg case, the wasps larvae grow rapidly. In two to three weeks’ adult wasps emerge, find love and and repeat the cycle. If a female doesn’t find love she still has offspring but they are all male! The wasps never completely eradicate all leaf hoppers. They do however parasitise often over 95% of leafhopper egg rafts. And the two insects exist in a kind of beautiful balance and symbiosis. The wasps completely and totally reliant on the leaf hopper, the leaf hoppers reliant on the wasp to prevent their own sheer numbers from destroying their only food and habitat plant species. Where the REAL LOVE comes into the story amidst such catastrophic Pandanus mortality; When mother nature’s predator prey balance is restored, and Pandanus are healthy, the presence of these leafhoppers ironically increase the abundance of the insect feeding wildlife present, and the biodiversity within each Pandanus population.
A pest insect loved by all the many, many creatures that feed on it ;-).
Profile: Pandanus tectorius
Pandanus are an ancient palm-like plant species, predating most flowering plants. They have a widespread global distribution from the tropics to the subtropics, with marine seed dispersal (similar to coconuts), and a long global history of human cultivation. Seeds are also dispersed overland by many and various wildlife species, and historically by coastal indigenous people. Each plant is either a male or a female, needless to say only female produce fruit. Both sexes produce large characteristic prop roots. They can naturally clone themselves, roots often shoot from each growth head of older individuals, if the plant is knocked over, or branches break off, large stands can be formed.
East Australian Pandanus populations occurring from Townsville to Port Macquarie are at risk from Pandanus leafhopper induced dieback, including the coral Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Pandanus are loved and cherished by many people across coastal eastern Australia, and commonly features in tourist brochures and magazines, government agency and business logos, and personal photograph albums of all who visit and enjoy our coastline (check out your own, if you haven'deliberately photographed a Pandanus, there’s a high chance a Pandanus has ‘photo bombed’ your personal photo’s!).
They are an iconic species extensively used for their aesthetic appeal, as focal landscape specimens and regularly and proudly feature in tourism and council advertising campaigns, i.e. “ that tropical feel”.
Pandanus were deeply revered by coastal indigenous people, providing year round shelter from sun, wind, rain, and a permanently available source of food, and fiber for a broad range of uses (nets, dilli bags, etc.).
The environmental service they provide in coastal ecosystems is second to none. Roots spread remarkably far from mature plants, regularly over 20-30 meters, providing critically important dune stabilization. They protect less tolerant species from the harsh wind and salt spray (that frequent coastal areas). They provide food and incomparable habitat to an immense number of fauna, including possums, many rodent species, micro bats, many birds, geckos, skinks, innumerable moths, beetles, spiders, and many other lessor known insects.
Profile: Joel Fostin (Age 37)
Passion
A strong passion and deep love for living creatures and the natural world has been a dominant influence throughout my school, family and working life. The self-acquired observational knowledge, and knowledge and skills gained through study, has provided me with great insight into biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. I intend to use this knowledge to be truly productive in preserving this unique and irreplaceable flora and fauna of Australia.
Direction
My future goals are predominantly focused on preservation and/or regeneration of terrestrial ecosystems (particularly riparian and coastal ecosystems) by doing my part to implement informed management practices, with a specific focus on fire ecology, invasive species and IPM utilizing effective bio control agents.
With years of marine experience as a diver, fisher, spear fisherman and surfer, I also intend to dedicate much of my time to introduce proactive legislation and protection of marine stocks that I have personally observed under a very real decline and threatened by continuation of non-sustainable practices.
Pandanus dieback (a call to action)
I first heard of the insect responsible for Pandanus dieback around 7 years ago while working as a land and environment manager of a majestic coastal eco estate at my home town, near the town of 1770. My understanding of the issue like most others was vague. While surfing the headland of my home surf break (Agnes Water) I noticed severe dieback. With newly acquired research skills, gained whilst undertaking an Environmental Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, I began the search for answers. I quickly realized there was little accurate or detailed information available, and certainly no management guides for on-ground coastal managers. Despite losing my van (my home) to the rising tide during field research on an isolated beach, I remained undeterred.
Soon after writing two university assignments on Pandanus dieback, and experimentally captive rearing the parasitoid wasp I heard of the plight on Fraser. Upon seeing firsthand the extent of the death my heart was called to action. With the inkind support of environmental groups and Fraser Island National Park service I voluntarily captive bred and released thousands of wasps at strategic locations across the Islands east coast. This was only successful due to the personal support, assistance and collaboration from the many caring and professional people involved.
Countless hours have been spent since performing labarotory and field research, including a volunteer placement at the Queensland Museum, to delve deeper into the secondary insects co-contributing to dieback, and the parasitoid wasp, yet to be officially named (the advent of pesticides has left this revolutionising
agricultural and environmental management Genus of wasps largely overlooked, the last research being carried out in 1912). The research work continues..
I have recently set up a facebook page to act as a Pandanus dieback information sharing and education source.
Acknowledgements
I respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians who lovingly, and with deliberate intent cared for and shaped the ecosystems of K’gari, following the primary law “whatever is good for the land comes first”. I acknowledge the unthinkable crimes against the Butchulla people and the intricate ecosystem management knowledge that has been lost as a result. I whole heartedly desire to assist mending this gap through aiding to connect indigenous youth to land, documenting, rediscovering, and sharing the knowledge that will ensure effective-protective long term survival of our ecosystems and all life within.
To all the Queensland Parks staff who have given their hearts and even personal time, thankyou. A special thanks to Linda Behrendorff, Dan Novak, Ross Belcher and Barbara Kingston for their suport and encouragement.
A special thanks to John Sinclair, Sue Sargent, Butchulla elders Glen Miller, Uncle Malcom Burns, and so so many more.
Full respect and acknowledgment to the passionate and dedicated people involved in previous Pandanus dieback research and prevention. The Late Dan Smith well respected for his work and the massive reduction in pesticide use it facilitated. Full appreciation to Nat Smith who in conjunction with his father and others produced solid scientific papers on dieback, and still to this day assists personally in dieback management.
Past and present supporters and collaborators
- BMRG (Burnett Mary Regional Group); Saranne Guidice, Rod Bucannon, Lynda Wills, and others
- NPSR (Queensland Parks); Nat Smith, Fraser Island, Cooloola, Agnes Water, Linda Berendorf, Dan Novak, Ross Belcher, Barbara Kingston, and all the many rangers that have supported only at work but also in their personal time.
- FIDO (Fraser Island Defenders Organisation) John Sinclair, and many volunteers for personal assistance and kind support.
- FINIA (Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance) Sue Sargent, and support team.
- DAFF- Tim Smith, Tom Lewis, Helen Nahrung
- Coolum Coastcare- Leigh .., Tony Gibson, and many other wise, supportive members.
- Bugs for bugs; Dan Papacek for advice and caring and generous support.
- Noosa Parks Association- Darlene Gower
- Discovery coast environmental group
- Councils; Noosa- Sara Cooke, Kylie Gordon and others; Sunshine Coast-Julie Oconnor, Sonny Wilson, Conor Jenkins, Bundaberg- Nick Maclean; Fraser Coast- July Musgrave, Maree Prior, Tina Ravenhoe
- Queensland Museum; (Dr Chris Burwell, and all the kind passionate and knowledgeable staff from the 6th floor.
- CSRIO; Dr Rolf Oberprieler, Erin Kenna, and others for referrals
- Biosecurity Queensland; Liz Snow, Dhileepan Kunijithapatham
- Traditional custodian supporters; Glen Miller, Geneveive Jones, Brad Crosbie, Kathryn Miller, Conrad, Dustin, and others
- The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC); Graham Ashford, Dan Shelley, Sanjeev Srivastava, Thomas Schlacher, Javier Leon, Lyris Snowden
- The Green Army; Lucas White and the quick to learn and keen young men.
- My good friends who have supported and patiently listened to Pandanus talk. A special thanks to Brenton, Drew, and Camille for the awesome work producing the crowd source film.
- The wonderful and caring ladies who have helped with media release and this crowd source page; Raeleen Kaesehagan, Louis Clark (Ebb and flow studios), Sharyn Kerrigan, Rochelle Gooch, thankyou :-)
- Family; my understanding and supportive, parents, siblings, extended family and beautiful insightful and unconditionally loving children Kalem and Chloe.
And many, many more, my apologies to those my mind may have overlooked, my heart doesn’t forget :-)
End Note
Pandanus dieback is a complex story with simple and easy to apply management solutions.
Awareness through knowledge sharing and is crucial to preventing further ecosystem losses.
Many threatening yet fascinating plant and animal interactions just like this story of the Pandanus and ascociated insects and wildlife exist in nature.
My life mission is to work alongside the many passionate and knowledgeable neo custodians and traditional custodians in collecting and implementing the latest research and on ground solutions, that will assist in the preservation of our precious ecosystems and all the life they support,
"Giving a voice to the life that has no voice".
I take this role very seriously and with passion and with a great sense of responsibility. My intentions are to carry on this very important social role, and share the amazing and awe inspiring beauty and wonder with as many people as possible.
With passion, love, commitment and integrity,
Joel :-)
Fore more detailed information go to: https://www.facebook.com/Pandanus-Dieback-Education-and-Information-Page-384590008548221/
Organizer
Joel Fostin
Organizer
Walliebum QLD
