Council’s lifestyle program second nature

City charity’s top gong

GOLD Coast-based charity Friends with Dignity has been honoured as Australian Charity of the Year.

The not-for-profit organisation seeks to help those displaced by domestic violence and rebuild their lives. The charity is volunteer driven and relies on donations.

Friends With Dignity Founder and CEO Manuela Whitford said: “This amazing achievement not only highlights the dedication and drive volunteers have to make a difference to the lives of people affected by domestic and family violence, but how this epidemic affects society as a whole.” WE’RE all going back to nature.

That is the plan at the Gold Coast City Council as it works on more nature trails and nature-based experiences, following last month’s launch of NaturallyGC.

The council has 13,600 hectares of open space, along with 790 natural park areas. In 2018-19, the city plans to:

• Construct new cross-country mountain bike nature trail.

• Produce more 360-degree nature trail videos to help people with mobility problems to enjoy a nature-based experience.

• New environmental interpretative signs in key parks.

• Source land specific to koala habitat to enhance and preserve it.

Highlights of the program include activities to connect people to nature through guided bushwalks, kids’ natural adventures, indigenous culture, wildlife shows, tree planting, native stingless bees and “creatures of the dark’’ spotlighting.

Residents will also be taught how to use native plant species in their gardens to increase backyard biodiversity.

A Little Nature Lovers program of events will target preschool kids aged 3-5 years.

Activities will be held monthly at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.