Nature Talks: Bioluminescence in the Illawarra will be part of a month of environmental topics in Shellharbour. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Shellharbour is calling on the community to go wild for the planet this June, with a month-long program of free events designed to celebrate and connect with the environment through art, science, and hands-on experiences.
From rock pool rambles and glowing fungi to gum tree sketching and nature journaling, Shellharbour City Council is turning the outdoors into a classroom — and a canvas.
A special re-screening of the Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival — an inspiring collection of short films exploring environmental themes from across the region — launched the events on World Environment Day (5 June).
It will now be followed up with Nature Journaling in the Woodland at Croom Reserve, a nature talk on bioluminescence in the Illawarra, exploring Bass Point rock pools and a creative workshop with Illawarra gum trees.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the events reflected the community’s passion for nature and the environment.
“Spending time in nature and learning about it reminds us of how much there is to protect,” Cr Homer said.
“When we slow down and really take a moment to notice the world around us — the trees, the wildlife, and the coast — we reconnect with something bigger than ourselves.
“That connection makes us more mindful of how we care for the environment every day.”
Nature Journaling in the Woodland on 8 June at Croom Reserve will involve slowing down and taking in the beauty of the bush through mindful sketching and journaling.
Guided by Illawarra artist Penny Sadubin, no drawing experience is necesssary for the event.
Nature talk “Bioluminescence in the Illawarra” will be held at the Shellharbour City Libraries on 12 June, where participants will discover the glowing world of ghost fungi, fireflies, glow worms and sea sparkles.
Led by Kiama photographer and bioluminescence enthusiast David Finlay, he admitted he was something of a night creature, often out hunting what he called the “big four”.
“All of these you will find in abundance in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra. I can find any of them within 15 minutes of where I live in Kiama,” he said.
“The bioluminescence in our region is just magic … I will never tire of seeing them myself.
“I find them eternally fascinating, these organisms that produce their own light for whatever reason — whether it’s the glow worms attracting food, the fireflies attracting a mate, the sea sparklers warning predators, or the ghosties doing who knows what — because we’ve yet to figure that mystery out.
“The cool thing with glow worms is that you will only find glow worms in Australia and New Zealand.”
Bass Point Rockpool Rambles will be held at Bass Point on 22 June, where participants will explore the wonders of the area’s rock platforms and the creatures that call them home.
It’s designed to be a family-friendly event to discover marine biodiversity up close.
To round out the month, Red Gum, Yellow Gum, Blue Gum: A Creative Workshop with Illawarra Gum Trees at Blackbutt Forest on 29 June will involve Illawarra artist Janine Bailey giving a hands-on art workshop inspired by the unique gum trees of the region.
She will help participants create drawings and relax with a guided meditation.
Bookings are essential for all events — Nature Journaling in the Woodland on 8 June from 10 am – noon at Croom Reserve; Nature Talks: Bioluminescence in the Illawarra on 12 June from 6 – 7:30 pm at Shellharbour Civic Centre Library; Bass Point Rockpool Rambles on 22 June from 9 am – 12:30 pm at Bass Point; and Red Gum, Yellow Gum, Blue Gum: A Creative Workshop with Illawarra Gum Trees on 29 June from 1 – 3 pm at Blackbutt Forest.
