Great Sandy Biosphere - a world treasure
Promoting harmony between people and Nature
In 2009, the Great Sandy region was awarded Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO, the global organisation that also awards World Heritage Listings. The decision gives world-wide recognition to the Fraser Coast region, neighbouring Gympie area and the Bundaberg coastline and puts it in the same class as the Galapagos Islands, the Central Amazon, the Everglades and Uluru.
The concept of the UNESCO’s Man and Biospheres program is to protect natural resources while using them at the same time – or balancing conservation and sustainable development.
- Major breeding site for endangered marine turtles
- Oldest and largest unconsolidated sand mass in the world
- 7558 recorded species of fauna & flora
- Declared Dugong sanctuary
- RAMSAR wetlands – internationally declared feeding ground for migratory birds
- Critical habitat for rare and endangered species
- Best observable ancient dune chronological sequencing
- World’s largest and highest perched dune lakes
- Whale sanctuary and major transitory point for humpback whales on their annual
southern migration
Coastal Birds of the Great Sandy Biopshere
This brand new, 52 page booklet contains many colourful photos of bird species which can be found on or near the coast, suggests places to look, and gives information about breeding, feeding habits and threats to their survival. The book will be available from Fraser Coast Visitor Information Centres in late July. Alternatively contact the Burnett Mary Regional Group at 193 Bourbong St, Bundaberg 4670.