Get hands on with marine citizen science at Okines Community House and Okines Beach with Friends of Seagrass Tasmania.

Discover why seagrass meadows are so important to Tasmania’s coastal and estuarine environments, why better information about our seagrass is needed, and how communities can help monitor these important underwater habitats.

The day begins at Okines Community House, where you’ll hear from Friends of Seagrass Tasmania, the Red handfish Conservation Project and an expert from the IMAS seagrass nursery about seagrass monitoring and restoration. You’ll also get up close with seagrass samples and work alongside invertebrate ecologists to explore what lives among them.

After lunch, head down to Okines Beach to put citizen science into practice. Those keen to get wet can wade, snorkel or kayak with support from the Friends of Seagrass team, trying different monitoring techniques and helping collect mapping and site scouting data. Prefer to stay dry? There will be plenty to learn and contribute from land too.

All ages and experience levels are welcome. Whether you’re curious about what’s beneath the water or interested in starting seagrass monitoring in your own local area, this is a chance to see how community led monitoring works and learn skills you can take back to your own coastline.

Saturday 14 November 2026 | 11.00am–2.00pm
Okines Community House, 540 Old Forcett Road, Dodges Ferry
Free

Lunch, tea and coffee are provided, with dietary requirements catered for.

Wear weather appropriate clothing and bring a hat, sun protection and reusable water bottle. If you’d like to wade, bring sturdy footwear that can get wet or wetsuit booties and suitable clothing or a wetsuit. Snorkellers should bring their own snorkelling gear.

The beach is approximately a 200 metre walk from Okines Community House and includes walking on sand. Water based activities are optional and participants entering the water will head out in supported teams. Accessibility is good at the Community House but more limited at the beach.

Registrations Open

Supported by the TasPorts Community Grant Program as part of Landcare Tasmania's Tasmanian Community Landcare Gathering 2026.

Friends of Seagrass