Sapphire Coast
National Science Week

2023

August 12th – 20th

Presented by the Sapphire Science Hub, Bournda EEC and Atlas of Life,
the 2022 Sapphire Coast Science Week will focus on life along our coasts. 
You are invited to join us for all online sessions, field trips and in-person events.
We look forward to seeing you online and in person around and about the Sapphire Coast.

sunday 13th INATURALISt: INATURALIST: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE AND

BEGA RIVER WALK WITH EXPERT BOTANIST JACKIE MILES

sunday 13th Photography for Fungi Fans

thursday 17th    Merimbula Wharf fish habitat rehabilitation

friday 18th iNaturalist for advanced users

 

sunday 13th. iNaturalist: a beginner’s guide and

Bega river walk with expert botanist Jackie Miles

The Atlas of Life and the Bega River and Wetlands Landcare group (BRAWL) will run a botanist led “walk, record and ID” session at the Bega River Reserve. We will have the expert knowledge of Jackie Miles to guide us on plant ID and Atlas members on hand to help people use iNaturalist and guide people in its use.

After a tuition in how to use iNaturalist people will be able to practice their new learnt skills in the beautiful Bega River Reserve with help on hand to answer any questions.

Sunday 13th 11:00hrs at Bega River walk

To learn more about the session and book your spot follow the link below.

 

sunday 13th Photography for Fungi Fans

Automatic features of modern cameras make it easy to avoid the technical and sometimes daunting aspects of photography. However, the decisions your camera makes on your behalf are often less than ideal and rarely take into account your own artistic intent.

This workshop will improve your understanding of photography fundamentals so you can make better decisions about your camera’s settings and modes for each photographic situation.

Fungi photography creates some interesting challenges due to their size and their environment. The workshop will provide suggestions on some methods to meet these challenges and place these solutions into an artistic context.

The workshop centres on the use of digital cameras with interchangeable lenses such a digital SLR or mirrorless cameras.

Workshop topics will include:

  • fungi photo appreciation: what makes for a great photo?

  • camera manual mode and The Exposure Triangle

  • handling depth of field and using focus stacking

  • automating the manual mode

  • composing the mushroom

  • camera gear in the field

  • dealing with light

  • post processing images

The techniques presented are applicable to many other forms of nature photography such as flowers or insects.

Sunday 13th 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs at Bournda Environmental Education Centre (Bournda National Park)

To learn more about the session and book your spot follow the link below.

 

thursday 17th ·    Merimbula Wharf fish habitat rehabilitation

This exciting science event at Merimbula Wharf on Thursday 17th August will encompass: 

  • Presentation from Cayne Layton, researcher and lecturer from the University of Tasmania and IMAS, on underwater forests and macroalgae rehabilitation.

Presentations on the Merimbula Wharf restoration project

  • Nick Yee description of the science of the project and hoped-for outcomes.

  • Dane Wilmott/ David Pollard drone footage and photo montage of images under the Wharf and across transects. 

  • John Smythe, Presentation - history of science and culling experiments and development of an urchin fishery.

  • Libby Hepburn – citizen science and the Atlas of Life contributing to collaborative local projects.

  • Chris Young – Merimbula BG&L Angling Club – restoration of seaweed habitats to support better fishing.

Thursday 17th 10:00 - 12:00hrs at Merimbula Wharf

To learn more about the session and book your spot follow the link below.

 

Merimbula wharf curtesy of Nick Yee

 
 

friday 19th iNaturalist for advanced users

Thomas Mesaglio will lead an online workshop dealing with a list of topics for the advanced users of iNaturalist, to be better able to search for favourite species and to work with the many great functions of this global platform for biodiversity.

Thomas Mesaglio is a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales Sydney researching Australian plants, mostly focused on developing frameworks for more effective surveys and data collection. He is a curator and forum moderator on iNaturalist and has made more than 46,000 observations and 277,000 identifications for other users. Thomas is an avid BioBlitz organiser, survey leader and participant, and was part of the team that won the 2022 Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.  

The session will cover the topics which have been suggested by experienced users across the Bega valley and other questions attendees may have.

Friday 18th August 14:00hrs to 15:00hrs

 To learn more about the session and book your spot follow the link below.

 

Thomas Mesaglio in the field.