The course, titled Coastal Resource Management, really sought to teach us about the complexity of the decision-making process surrounding coastal resources. While on the UQ campus, they managed to find us a great locale in a dark lecture room with windows that barely opened to let in light. Despite the less-than-ideal location, we were still able to get quite a number of lectures about things ranging from the geomorphology of the Moreton Bay area to the complex systems thinking approaches that are being adopted by more and more resource managers. Field trips to several different sites featuring different approaches to pollution mitigation and water control were enlightening, if not entertaining. I personally had a few qualms about loading up a charter bus of us to drive 45 minutes to look at three storm drains (environmental footprint discrepancy, anyone?), but I suppose first-hand understanding can be better in some situations. However, what rounded out the course was a group project regarding a hypothetical development in a coastal site that we visited called Bribie Island. Believe me, the last thing that any one of us on the program wants to hear right now are those two words. To say the least it was an informative project with an enormous stress budget ending with a presentation and an increasingly large amount of knowledge of the word "dredging." While not necessarily a fond memory of the course, I still found much of the information such as current trends in coastal resource decision-making in developing countries to be quite interesting and I wish we could have spent more time on that kind of stuff. But again, this is the first time that our professor, Ron Johnstone, had to teach the course while on the UQ campus and several adjustments had to be made. I feel like I did well on our exam and feel like I have a better understanding of systems thinking that I had when I walked into the classroom, so therefore the class was valuable.
With the close of this portion of the program, we also had to leave our homestay. I adored my host mother, Carol. She was originally from South Africa and is a professional chef. Chris, Sam, and I all ate very well during our time with Carol. Meals ranging from roast beef to soy chicken were served with much love and you could really tell that she put an enormous amount of pleasure into cooking for us. I plan on staying in contact with her even after the program and feel quite lucky to have had such a fortunate situation.
I am currently sitting on the veranda of a beautiful homestead in Far North Queensland about two hours outside of Cairns, Australia. A working cattle ranch, there are a range of habitats ranging from tropical rainforest to some scrub woodlands all around us. Upon our arrival yesterday morning, we were introduced to John and Kathy, the owners of the ranch and they gave us some history about the place and John gave us a great cow moving demonstration. It really made me want to hop up on a horse and help him move some cattle! I am sharing a tent with Nicole and we're currently trying to ward off an ant infestation, but I suppose that's a small price to pay for being out among nature. Last night's sunset over a set of mist-topped mountains was probably the most beautiful I've seen in Australia and it was quite nice to have a peaceful evening. We ate an amazing dinner prepared by Kathy and her cooking team down by a stream out in the forest. They had set up a candle-lit path and everything and it was quite delicious food. We returned to the homestead for a few hours playing improv games around a campfire before retiring to our tents for an early morning.
Today marked the first day of real field work! After receiving lectures on the plant and animal life that Australia has to offer we piled into cars as denoted by assigned teams. I was on Team Possum today with Marcus, Claire Baker's partner. A hilarious car ride with all of us decked out in our best, and most fashionable field gear (yes...the wide-brimmed hat came out) was great. Team Possum piled out and followed Marcus out into the rainforest to learn about some of the adaptations that the plants have to their environment. Things ranging from varying growth rates to parasitic relationships were explored. At the end of our hike/information session we were privileged enough to meet one of the wallaby joeys that Claire is currently rehabilitating. A lovely little creature, the little girl was a bit overwhelmed by so many of us so I gave her a quick, reassuring pat and let her snuggle up to her handler instead of demanding her attention.
I also got some bad news today. It seems that leaving the country has a bad impact on my family members' health. Grandpa John apparently had a small stroke but is doing ok, as the blood clot in his brain has dissipated. I am worried about him and again feel guilty for being so far away. I sent an email to Grandma because I was worried a phone call was too expensive. I'm awaiting a response to let me know that Grandpa will be ok.
Tomorrow we'll be packing up and heading to a place called Chillagoe, which is known for its awesome caves and arid ecosystems. We'll be staying at an eco-lodge for two nights and then heading back here to Weatherby Station. Unfortunately, I can't post pictures tonight because the Internet isn't running at blazing speeds, but I promise I'll put some up soon.
Cheers!
Patrick
