Yvonne Mace and Mary Styles, 26 January 2023
Mary’s role in Nelson Coastcare is nothing short of remarkable. Her tireless commitment aligns with the value and mission of supporting engagement events, and taking action to help conserve, protect and restore this unique ecosystem.
She has an outstanding knowledge of the unique flora of the Nelson environment and a genuine desire to protect it at all costs. Her ability to enthuse and organise members of Coastcare and her willingness to impart her knowledge to them is exemplary. From Coastcare events such as fungus, plant or wild flower identification, to beach clean ups, to writing content for the recent website, Mary is deeply committed to this role.
Mary spends a lot of her time out in the field either with a group but often on her own, focused on eradicating any feral plant within sight, recently tackling to kill and reduce the spread of one of Nelson’s most problematic weeds, Italian Buckthorn.
Organisation is one of her great assets and attention to all protocols is another. Mary’s ability to liaise Parks Vic. DELWP, GHCMA and Nelson Coastcare members to facilitate beach clean-ups and information sessions is an example of her expertise.
Mary played a key role in the Ramsar Wetland listing for the Long Swamp, which is one of only 12 Ramsar sites within Victoria. She has spent countless hours of research, to make sure that any future windfarm developments to our area follow Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation to help preserve this area and minimise any long-term damage to the environment.
The Nelson Coastcare group and indeed the whole of the Nelson community has so much to be grateful for Mary’s contributions. A true “Community Champion.”
Photo by S Taunt, Words a compilation of Nominations.
Nelson Coastcare 