JOIN Professor Hugh Possingham, Dr Christina Zdenek, Andrew Dinwoodie from BirdLife Australia and Keith McCosh, retired Environmental Officer in a lively debate on why nature needs our help.

This event on Sunday, February 16, from 2pm-4pm, is hosted by Protect the Bush Alliance and supported by Save Woogaroo Forest Group. It will be held at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre, Room 1, 43 The Terrace, North Ipswich.

Hear more about why Ipswich City Council (ICC) should conserve 30 percent of forest in the Ipswich region, including Woogaroo Forest, to ensure liveability for current and future generations of people and wildlife.

Woogaroo Forest is one of only a few patches of forest in Ipswich that supports biodiversity, hosting over 130 native bird species, over 80 native mammals, reptiles, and pollinators and over 400 native plant species including endangered koalas, powerful owl, frilled neck lizard, platypus and the grey headed flying fox.

"Housing developments would destroy vital habitats, reducing Ipswich's already low levels of biodiversity," a concerned resident said.

"The forest’s trees play a critical role in cooling Springfield and Ipswich region, improving air quality, and acting as a major carbon sink.

"Destroying this natural ecosystem for development is environmentally irresponsible, unsustainable and will directly and seriously negatively impact liveability for not only wildlife but humans too."

Entry is $5 per person to cover room hire. Register