Spring Clean AUSMAP Microplastics Sampling

Let's see what microplastics are hiding and spring clean Halliday Park in time for the arrival of the Bar-tailed Godwits! This Riverfest, roll up your sleeves and join City of Canada Bay and Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) for a microplastic sample and community clean-up to help prepare Halliday Park for the arrival of migratory shorebirds like the Bar-tailed Godwits. When: Sunday the 20th September, 9am-12pm Where: Halliday Park, McGrath Avenue, Five Dock Why: The Bar-tailed Godwit is a feature and a symbol of Burramattagal/ the Parramatta River. They are small migratory shorebirds that arrive each spring to feed along our waters. In recent years, the number of Godwits visiting our area has been in steady decline. Some of the key threats to these birds include off-leash dogs in breeding areas and litter and pollution in the river. Microplastics are an increasing concern for seabirds and shorebirds. A study by CSIRO found that as many as 9 out of 10 seabirds have pieces of plastic in their guts, with Australia a specific problem area. These birds mistake small plastics for fish eggs and other food sources and their consumption means the birds don't get the nutrition they need. Join the clean-up to help us protect the birds and support Our Living River. The microplastic data we collect with AUSMAP will go straight to their microplastic hotspot map, informing our understanding of the plastic pollution problem in Sydney's waterways. No prior experience necessary and all AUSMAP sampling kits and cleaning materials will be provided. We can't wait to see you there! This is a free event - thanks to support of the City of Canada Bay Council, however, please register so we know how many we are expecting! Please register for the Microplastic Sampling Workshop below. To register for the Foreshore Clean Up, click here. AUSMAP is 100% grant funded project - donations to support the ongoing development & delivery of AUSMAP are greatly appreciated. As a registered charity, all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. About the AUSMAP Program It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see. Until recently, microplastic pollution presented scientists with a crisis that was invisible to the naked eye. Now we have AUSMAP - the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project. AUSMAP is a global first, nationwide citizen science that engages and educates the community to collect scientifically reliable data on microplastics from shorelines across the country – from coasts to catchments – to identify litter hotspots and assist in source reduction. AUSMAP is a powerful management tool that forms the basis to develop and implement regional litter prevention strategies for stakeholders to use, and act on. We need to know how much is out there before we figure out what to do with it. And we need large numbers of Australians to engage with behaviour change so we can stop any more plastic from entering our waterways and design effective mitigation strategies. That’s why we need you in our AUSMAP collaborative citizen science project! Bring your friends and your family - this community event is for people of all ages! For more information, please contact [email protected] Look forward to seeing you!