Return to Larapuna: a much-loved (and needed) event after a tough 18 months

The past 18+ months have been SO HARD on all of us. We're exhausted by endless COVID lockdowns, cancelled field work and lab work that's essential to who we are as scientists, and oh so many missed events with friends and family one can't possibly keep track. The toll on our mental and physical health has been enormous. Not surprising then, keeping folks motivated and inspired...some days, it's a full time job.

The annual Larapuna Community Event has always been a highlight. But after the year we've all had, and after the event being cancelled in 2020, anticipation was running high. Being invited back, and being given the honour of delivering a talk to the community about our science - it means a lot to our whole team.

And I honestly couldn't be more proud some days. Watching my amazing team of young scientists walking alongside Australia's first scientists, the Traditional Owners of the land we walked on. I couldn't be more honoured, inspired, and humbled.

Together with the TAS Parks and members of the local community, we removed 1000s of invasive weeds (sea spurge) and collected >300 items of marine debris which we entered in the Tangaroa Blue AMDI database.

If that wasn’t enough, we also collected water samples for a new project monitoring river health for an IMAS colleague (check out the photo below, it’s pure GOLD! 😆)

As always, a HUGE thanks to Jesse Benjamin for his brilliant photography and endless generosity!

#CaringForCountry #ProtectWhatYouLove #TeamWork #SciComm #nationalparks #CitizenScience