Meet Your Creeks: Community Event to Explore and Protect Local Waterways Residents across the Cooloola Coast are invited to roll up their sleeves and connect with their local environment at the Meet Your Creeks event on Saturday, 23rd May 2026. Held in Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, and Cooloola Cove, this free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to get hands-on with real water monitoring techniques while exploring some of the region’s most important freshwater systems. Participants will have the chance to test water quality, search for aquatic life, and learn how scientists assess creek health using macroinvertebrates (water bugs). No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to get your hands wet and discover what lives beneath the surface. Local creeks play a vital role in supporting the health of the Great Sandy Strait, a Ramsar Wetland! What happens upstream directly affects this important downstream ecosystem, making community involvement in water monitoring more important than ever. The event also supports Cooloola Coastcare’s ongoing Waterwatch program, which conducts regular monitoring across the region. Whether you join at your nearest creek or spend the day exploring them all, Meet Your Creeks is a chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and contribute to the long-term stewardship of the Cooloola Coast’s unique environments. All ages are welcome. Participants are encouraged to wear enclosed shoes and sun protection. Children must be accompanied by an adult.