Noosa Biosphere Workshops & Talks at Noosa Festival of Surfing
As part of this year’s Noosa Festival of Surfing, the Noosa Biosphere Workshops & Talks are designed to inspire a deeper connection with Noosa’s blue biosphere.Â
Ease into your festival day, before the action kicks off, by dropping into one of these free sessions. Learn about surf culture in biospheres around the world, Surf Safe Noosa practices, iconic marine species and Noosa’s marine research program, songlines of the sea, and make your pledge to Noosa’s blue biosphere through art.
- Where: Noosa Main Beach, Main Marquee
- Cost: Free, no registrations
- Info: noosafestivalofsurfing.com/whats-on
Video: Peppie Simpson, Whalsongs Noosa Charters, speaking at the 2025 Noosa Biosphere Awards on our beautiful blue biosphere.
Workshops & Talks Program
- Monday 16 March 2026
DAY 1 – Surf, Culture & Connection
Noosa Beach Bar, Main Beach
8.30am - 9am
Why biosphere reserves are globally significant – Professor Ian Lowe AO
9am - 9.20am
Surf Culture & Biosphere Reserves: A Global View – Tom Wegener (Wegener Surfboards, Noosa Councillor)
9.30am - 9.55am
Surf Panel: Tom Wegener, Javier Leon (UniSC), Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Surfrider Sunshine Coast
10am - 10.20am
Our human connection to the ocean – Peppie Simpson (Whalesongs Noosa)
10.30am - 10.55am
Our Noosa Biopshere: water-land – Beverly Hand, also known as Aunty Bev (Walking Talking Country Tours)
- Tuesday 17 March 2026
DAY 2 – Youth & Our Blue Biosphere
Noosa Beach Bar, Main Beach
8.30am - 9am
Turtles in our blue biosphere: an engaging workshop – Coolum & North Shore Coast Care
9am - 9.30am
Shark Smart Education Program and Smart Drone Technology – Surf Life Saving Qld & Fisheries Qld
9.30am - 11am
Noosa Environmental Education Hub – School workshops (closed to public)
9.30am - 11am
Drop-in: Precious plastic showcase – Plastic Free Noosa
- Thursday 19 March 2026
DAY 3 – Children's activity
Noosa Visitor Information Centre, Hastings St
10.30am
Children’s book reading
- Thursday 19 March 2026
DAY 3 – Marine Research
Noosa Beach Bar, Main Beach
9am - 9.20am
Blue Biosphere: human-wildlife interactions with iconic marine species – 
UniSC PhD Melina Keane
9.20am - 9.40am
Bull Shark Ecology in Noosa and Sunshine Coast – UniSC lead researcher Dr Bonnie Holmes
9.40am - 10am
Dolphin ecology in our biosphere region – UniSC researcher Dr Alexis Levengood
10.15am - 11am
Panel: Marine research in our blue biosphere – facilitated by Prof. Ian Lowe AO
Research in our blue biosphere
Through our marine research, we can understand how our human activity impacts the natural world of our blue biosphere.
Blue Biosphere
Understanding the impact of human interaction with iconic marine species in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
Bull Shark Ecology
Understanding how bull sharks inhabit our waterways is critical to informed shark management and education for safe water use.
Dolphin Ecology
Uncovering the health and secret lives of our dolphins along southeast Queensland (from Caloundra north to Hervey Bay).
Protect our blue biosphere
From dolphins and whales to turtles and sharks, these iconic species depend on healthy oceans and the science that helps conserve them.
Every dollar helps us continue our work with partners to deliver science-led solutions and community education to safeguard our beaches and waterways, protect our marine ecosystems, and inform conservation management.
Give now to protect what you love.
With thanks to:
