New Year’s resolutions for you and our environment

Could 2025 be the year you help save turtles, meet new friends while creating local biodiversity havens or turn waste into gardening gold?

Protecting our environment and playing a part in our Sunshine Coast Biosphere may be easier than you think.

Doing good for our environment brings a whole slew of personal benefits, from increased social connection to improved health and wellbeing.

Getting out and enjoying natural spaces is one of the top factors that make our region a great place to live, as confirmed by residents through the annual Living on the Sunshine Coast survey.

As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, our region has proven we value nature as precious and intertwined with our daily lives.

Ready to jump in and make some resolutions for our environment in 2025? Here’s some inspiration to get you started.

Bring local natives into your garden

Will 2025 bring you out into the garden? There’s one way you can make gardening easier and better for our environment.

Choosing plants that are native to the Sunshine Coast area can help protect local biodiversity, ecosystems and waterways.

They are ideally suited to local conditions, soil types and climate: perfect for low-effort gardeners or those lacking green thumbs.

They generally require less water, fertiliser and maintenance than non-natives and provide shelter and food for local fauna species.

Community native nurseries are a great way to source local plants and advice, all while supporting local community groups.

Find your nearest community native nursery on Council’s website.

Join BushCare

Jump into community conservation and experience the fulfilment of creating a healthier environment reserve in your area with like-minded volunteers.

Get your hands dirty and remove environmental weeds and plant native trees, shrubs and groundcovers.

No experience or commitment is required, you can join where and when you can.

There are 38 BushCare groups across our region that hold regular working bees.

Learn more and find your local BushCare group on Council’s website.

Litter walks

Enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of a walk in your local park, reserve or beach with an extra dose of satisfaction by removing litter along the way.

Not only does it create more beautiful areas for everyone to experience, it also prevents that litter from endangering wildlife and washing into waterways.

That’s a lifesaver for our freshwater and ocean wildlife, including turtles, who need clean waters to feed safely.

Join TurtleCare

Turtle conservation volunteers are highly trained citizen scientists who make an incredible contribution to the ongoing survival of marine turtles. They monitor nesting mothers, relocate nests if necessary for hatchling survival and provide essential data to support the protection of these majestic animals.

There are three local groups where you can volunteer your time depending on which beach you have access to:

• Sunshine Beach to Mooloolaba – Coolum and North Shore Coast Care
• Buddina Beach to North Bribie Island – TurtleCare Sunshine Coast
• Bribie Island – Bribie Island Turtle Trackers.

Find out how to get involved on Council’s website.

Start a compost and vegie garden

Rather than your home organic waste going to landfill (where it breaks down in conditions that create greenhouse emissions), turn it into a treasure trove of garden goodness in home compost.

There are a variety of methods and products suitable for every home, even apartment balconies.

Get started in composting with easy guides:

• view the  Compost, worm farms and everything in between  video
• read Council’s  organic waste fact sheet  (PDF, 241KB)