Lauren Morgan - Wetlands and Coastal Programs Coordinator for PCFML
Lauren Morgan is an avid ocean enthusiast and lover of the natural environment. She has dedicated her life to environmental conservation with a focus on wetlands and coastal environments. So it’s no surprise that she’s ended up as the Wetlands and Coastal Programs Coordinator for Positive Change for Marine Life (PCFML). When Lauren’s not working she likes to hike, explore national parks, snorkel, SUCBA dive, kayak, and scramble around on mountains. Sounds like a good combination of hobbies to us!
We spoke to Lauren early in 2023 about the Brunswick River, PCFML’s River Warriors program (to which RTNR donated $500) and ask her our favourite question: “What’s your favourite Northern Rivers species?”
Hi Lauren! Thanks for chatting us today. To start, we were wondering how you ended up at PCFML?
Hello Tom, no problem! It is great to chat to fellow river warriors and I appreciate the opportunity to share our story.
My journey to PCFML has been a complex and interesting path, as I think is common in the NGO sector. I always knew I had a passion for the marine environment, learning to SCUBA dive at 17 in the UK, I went on to complete a BSc Hons in Marine Biology and travel to Africa as a research assistant for a marine conservation project. Since then, I have travelled extensively as a SCUBA Instructor, completed a MSc in Environmental Management and had a variety of roles with Universities, NGOs and government departments, specialising in environmental education, environmental conservation and community engagement. Having worked in a range of roles dedicated to environmental preservation I am a strong believer in unifying our efforts and working with people from all walks of life. Without sounding cheesy my role with PCFML is a dream opportunity to do what I love.
You’re the Wetlands and Coastal Programs Coordinator for PCFML – what does an ordinary day at work look like to you?
Tough one! Every day is different – you may find me glued to my computer processing data, running community events and clean ups, attending meetings with community stakeholders and authorities, collecting data on the health of native vegetation, training volunteers, engaging the community in environmental education activities or on a kayak survey down the Brunswick River. Part of the reason why I love my role is due to the immense variety of tasks it entails. I’m not ashamed to admit that I am happiest out in the field, covered in mud while collecting data with our fantastic volunteers.
What do you love about the Brunswick River?
The Bruns is a truly special place, cherished by its community and the plethora of tourists that visit due to its natural beauty, and easy grace… it’s hard not to love. The river mouth has fantastic beaches lined with natural reserves and it is also a fishing, boating and water sport mecca. I find myself at peace when I paddle down the waters, keeping an eye out for charismatic natives such as a cheeky stingray or the epic White-Bellied Sea-Eagle pairs and beautiful little Azure Kingfishers. As a keen snorkeler I like to hit the rock walls of the estuary mouth at high tide when the swell is low, and the waters are clear.
As the principal estuary of Cape Byron Marine Park, the Bruns is a vital natural resource and protecting its sustained health is crucial. Wetlands are the lifeblood of the ocean - providing crucial habitat and nursery grounds for a range of species, mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, as well as providing vital ecosystem services such as filtration of water and erosion control. They also sequester carbon dioxide at around 30-50 times the rate of terrestrial forests, making them crucial in the fight against climate change.
RTNR recently donated to the “River Warriors” program which takes place on the Brunswick River. What are the main objectives of this project?
Thank you for your generous donation - as an NFP we are obviously funding dependant, and your contribution will help us to keep up the good work.
Drawing on our comprehensive twelve-month ecosystem mapping project, we have identified and prioritised areas best suited to the preservation and restoration of carbon sinks on the Brunswick River. Our River Warriors program is creating a proof-of-concept case study through which community-led restoration programs can serve to reduce the impacts of climate change through protecting and restoring carbon sinks, reducing riverbank erosion while enhancing ecosystem services and overall catchment resilience. It will also strengthen eco-tourism, recreational, cultural and social values and potential co-benefits for a broad range of stakeholders
We will engage landowners and recreational users as researchers, restorers and key allies across the river, opening up a range of mitigation measures and proactive solutions to better manage its future. We aim to create a replicable model, which will be applied to heavily degraded river systems in Northern NSW and scaled up overseas in our project locations in India and the Solomon Islands.
PCFML’s River Warriors Program. Image courtesy of PCFML
What are the biggest issues facing the Brunswick River and other rivers across our region?
Wetlands are threatened globally and in Australia it’s estimated that almost 60% - 70% have been lost since European settlement. Unfortunately, while the lower waters of the Bruns are often dazzlingly clear, the river faces many challenges. The river and its surrounding wetlands have been impacted by decades of poor land management practices and human impacts, including extensive riparian deforestation, the spread of invasive species, marine debris, destructive wake from boat traffic, and water quality issues due to pollution, run off and sedimentation.
Riverbank erosion is a key issue, exacerbated by removal of native riparian vegetation and significant weather events like the 2022 floods that decimated the region. Without native vegetation holding the riverbanks together, heavy rains and destructive boat wake rapidly erodes the banks. This is an environmental issue with corresponding loss of habitat and declines in water quality due to sedimentation. It is also a socio-economic problem, as the land is vulnerable and eroding at a concerning rate. Projected impacts of climate change include increased frequency and severity of significant weather events and sea level rise, prompting the need to increase catchment resilience.
How do we achieve real and significant long-term change for the health of our rivers?
By working together as a community – no single action is enough to make meaningful change. We are passionate about bringing everyone together to ensure the health of our rivers is restored and sustained. Inclusive conservation considers the needs and interests of the wider community while balancing this with protecting the environment on which we depend. We are working hard to develop and implement solutions that incentivise positive environmental change from private land riparian restoration to encouraging behavioural adaptation and the development of sustainability incentives.
What’s your favourite Northern Rivers species?
Another tough one Tom! How do you pick when there are so many species to choose from?? Charismatic animals that live in our marine waters include turtles, dolphins, Southern Right and Humpback whales and Eagle rays – but my absolute favourite might have to be the often-misunderstood Grey Nurse Shark. These gentle giants were mistaken for man eaters and culled for sport in breathtaking numbers in the 60-70s. They do not pose a threat to humans and when this and their decline slowly dawned on us, they were protected in NSW in 1984. Current threats to the species include accidental catch and injury from commercial fisheries, recreational fishing, and bather protection programs. Julian Rocks is a sanctuary zone for the sharks, as they aggregate there in large schools in winter months. I love to dive with them and watch them slowly cruise around with their huge mouths on display – so impressive.