S2 E14: Tree-mendous Impacts: How Forests Help Save Coral Reefs

Did you know that deforestation up to 1,000 kilometres inland can harm coral reefs and potentially fuel outbreaks of coral-eating starfish? This week we explore one of the lesser-known but critical threats to the Great Barrier Reef: declining water quality due to land clearing.

Our guest this week is Sarah Sims, a conservation and land management expert, dive instructor, and underwater photographer based in Cairns. Sarah's love of the Reef has inspired her to trace water pollution back to its roots: literally. Sarah is the powerhouse behind two not-for-profit reforestation initiatives - TreeForce Cairns and Holloways Beach Coast Care. Sarah helps us unpack the staggering extent of land clearing in Queensland, and what we can all do to reforest our riverbanks and restore the health of our oceans.

Chapters

• 3:01 Sarah's Story: Travelling, Body-Boarding and Diving
• 6:30 Coral Restoration in Thailand
• 9:14 Working on the Crown of Thorns Starfish eradication program
• 14:34 How does land clearing impact our Reef?
• 18:53 Stopping the problem at the source: Holloways Beach Coast Care
• 25:54 Making creeks clear again: TreeForce Cairns
• 28:42 Why everyone should join a community tree planting group
• 31:46 The David vs Goliath battle against tree clearing
• 37:28 How can we stop tree clearing from happening in the first place?
• 40:36 How can people get involved in tree planting?
• 42:02 Career advice for young conservation hopefuls