Maleny Showgrounds 13 Maleny Stanley River Rd, Maleny, QLD 4552 Sat., 17 April 2021 1:00 pm – 8:30 pm AEST Join #frankietheflyingfox on International Bat Appreciation Day and learn about all the amazing things she and our other Little Aussie BATtlers do to keep our environment healthy. This FREE family event will include: • See native animals up close • Guided roost tours • Kids art activities • Aerial workshop • And MUCH, MUCH MORE! Bring a blanket, torch, and a picnic to relax under the stars while watching the local flying-fox colony “fly out” for the night. KIDS - Dress up in your favourite batty costume! 1.00pm - 4.30pm: Activity stalls and guided roost tours 4.30pm - 7.00pm: Presenters 7.00pm: Outdoor movie Wall-E Places are limited for this FREE event. Bookings essential.

Join Steve Wilson, Brisbane-based herpetologist, author, fauna consultant and Information Officer with the Queensland Museum, for an informative talk about the distinctive reptile communities that inhabit our rainforest environments. This talk will focus mainly on the distinctive reptile communities that inhabit our rainforest environments. It celebrates the biodiversity we have an obligation to protect, and examines some interesting aspects of the lifestyles of some of our fascinating rainforest species. The talk will also cover our interactions with reptiles - how we can coexist with reptiles in our home environments, and common sense advice on dealing with dangerous snakes. Bookings essential. Tickets $5 + booking fee - Limited places. Mary Cairncross Scenic reserve, Theatrette

Please note that this event has been postponed from the 31 March and is now rescheduled for Wednesday 12 May 2021. Sub-tropical rainforest areas of northern NSW and South-east Queensland, known colloquially as ‘big scrub’, are considered national biodiversity hot-spots. These areas have some of the highest levels of species diversity and richness found anywhere on the Australian continent with only the wet tropics having a greater species richness. Over the past 200 years we have seen significant declines in the extent of the big scrub rainforest, almost wiping them out entirely in some parts of northern NSW in pre and post war times. The term scrub is a derogatory term used to describe low scrappy vegetation by the early settler’s intent on clearing the vegetation. When they were confronted by the majestic rainforest areas with their tall valuable cedars and other rainforest trees they coined the phrase “big scrub”. Fortunately, some important areas remain and due to the efforts of many special, caring people and communities we are collectively seeing restoration of rainforest. Richard’s presentation will look at historically how and why we have lost such extensive areas of rainforest on the Blackall Range, what makes Mary Cairncross such an important and special remnant patch of rainforest in a Sunshine Coast area context; and what Council has been doing to help protect and restore these biodiverse ‘power-house’ habitats.

One of the most often-asked questions about frogs is instead about cane toads! This presentation by a guest speaker of the QLD Frog Society will answer all your cane toad related questions and bust the many myths surrounding these highly successful invaders. The talk will include the when, why and how of cane toads in Australia, their impact on native fauna, how to identify toads from native frogs and the latest efforts in cane toad control. Lastly, find out how each of us can make a difference to the cane toad population on a local scale, whilst creating a frog friendly environment in your garden. Plus, find out how you can receive free cane toad tadpole baits for controlling cane toads on your property! Image credit: Ben Revell Bookings essential. Tickets $5 + booking fee - Limited places. Mary Cairncross Scenic reserve, Theatrette

4 performances - Saturday 8 May, Sunday 9 May, Saturday 22 May + Sunday 23 May, 4:00pm for a 4:15pm start. When the last tree falls will you notice? Two native timber puppets come to the rainforest for very different reasons. Join Rose Wood on her daily foray into her rainforest sanctuary. Meet Red Cedar whose ancestors have felled timber in the region for generations. One day the two worlds collide. The Cedar Rose is a tale of how an ancient cedar tree brings them together towards mutual understanding. All performances commence at 4:15pm with a walk through the forest encouraged beforehand. Location: Outdoor Classroom; BYO: cushion to sit on; Tickets: $15 - Limited places, bookings essential.

Join watercolour artist Libby Derham as she takes you on an immersive sensory drawing walk through Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Learn to slow down and soak up the sights, sounds and scents of the reserve rainforest, whilst creating a personal record of your journey on a mark-making scroll. After the walk, Libby will share how she turns these scrolls into contemporary watercolour works of art. Libby will supply paper rolls (for mark-making scrolls), pencils and clipboards for participants. Walk numbers are limited (ten only), bookings essential. $10 + booking fee