UPDATE2: I have it on good authority that the sign up form is now allowing non-Australian participation. So get in there and show your support!

UPDATE: It seems that the sign up form restricts participation to Australian postal codes for the time being. Will post another update if they change their policy.

Helping out a friend running a great project! Please support their cause with a vote. See details copied from message from Rod Kennett below:

Dear Colleagues

Vote for the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project at http://www.landcareheroes.com/meet-our-finalists/life-on-the-edge-coastcare

The Australian Indigenous delegates who participated in the Native Oceans presentation at the 2008 International Sea Turtle Symposium have been nominated for a major Australian environmental award.

The North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance’s (NAILSMA) Dugong and Marine Turtle Project (DMTP) has been nominated in the Australian National Landcare Awards for the "Life-on-the-edge-Coastcare Award" and a "People's Choice Award". The NAILSMA DMTP is the only Indigenous-run project in the Coastcare Award category.

The NAILSMA project brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people living along Australia’s vast northern coastline with researchers, government and non-government agencies and industry for better management of Australia's globally significant populations of marine turtle and dugong. The nomination reflects the high quality of work of Indigenous communities engaged in the NAILSMA project in developing community based initiatives for dugong and marine turtle management.

Earlier this year we won a prestigious Environmental Excellence Award from the Australian Banksia Environmental Foundation, but just missed out (to an eco-friendly shopping centre) on a Banksia People's Choice Award. The National Landcare People’s Choice Awards are open to votes from people around the world so we invite our Australian and overseas colleagues on the cturtle list to add their vote and show their support.

So if you have a few moments spare, please add your vote for the NAILSMA Dugong and Marine Turtle Project at

http://www.landcareheroes.com/meet-our-finalists/life-on-the-edge-coastcare

When you place your vote, you can also leave a message of support to the Indigenous Rangers and communities involved in the project. We will be sure to pass your comments onto them at our Project Summit taking place at One Arm Point (Kimberley, Western Australia) in a weeks time.

If you would like more information about our project or NAILSMA please visit www.nailsma.org.au

On behalf of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues from across north Australia thank you for your time.

Cheers

Rod Kennett

P.S. Keep up-to-date with the latest news from NAILSMA. Visit our subscribe page and select from a range of printed publications, electronic newsletters (including our Dugong and Marine Turtle Project 'talking' e-news) and email alerts you can subscribe to. Keep up-to-date with the latest news from NAILSMA. Visit our subscriptions page and select from a range of printed publications, electronic newsletters and email alerts you can subscribe to. Visit http://www.nailsma.org.au/publications/nailsma/subscribe.html.

Posted by Michael Coyne at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Possibly the biggest retailer to jump on the anti-plastic bag bandwagon. Are they really committed to the environment or is this just PR stunt?

Retail giant pledges to slash plastic bag waste by a third
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2227033/wal-mart-turns-heat-war-plastic

Posted by Michael Coyne at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Find healthy products for yourself, your family and the environment.

http://www.goodguide.com/

Posted by Michael Coyne at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/251/story/448512.html

Turtle enthusiasts have been waiting for almost five months for news about a proposed sea turtle state license plate.

Proceeds from sales of the $25 tags would be used to increase funding for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. Republican state Rep. Jerry Keen of St. Simons Island spearheaded the legislation for the plates. Gov. Sonny Perdue signed it in May.

Marketing director for the Jekyll Island Authority, Eric Garvey, says the tag needs final approval from the state Department of Natural Resources.

Garvey says if interest continues, the center should be able to reach its goal of having 5,000 turtle tags on the road within the first year.

Florida already has a very successful sea turtle license plate program. The proceeds of which support sea turtle research and conservation in Florida.

North Carolina has a similar program with the proceeds supporting the sea turtle hospital on Topsail Island.

Posted by Michael Coyne at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

RSPCA Queensland is appealing for public help following the slaughter of a large marine turtle near Deception Bay.

Witnesses say the turtle was taken from a beach on the back of a trolley and the meat was then fed to dogs.

The turtle was described as being so large that its flippers were dragging on the ground while it was being transported. The shell was then cleaned up and moved, the intention allegedly being to sell it on eBay.

“We basically know what happened. We just can’t get anyone who is prepared to make a sworn statement,” RSPCA Qld Inspector Simon Eager said.

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/sep/20/turtle-dragged-trolley-fed-dogs/

Posted by Michael Coyne at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup is tomorrow (20 Sept 2008). The spring cleanup gathered 55 tons of garbage.

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1221706517204980.xml&coll=7

If you live near the coast join 400,000 volunteers in 76 countries. Learn more and how to get involved here:

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_icc

Posted by Michael Coyne at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)