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Byron Shire
June 27, 2026

World Wildlife Day – once it’s gone, it’s gone forever

Latest News

Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

The Byron Bay Winter Whales (BBWW) took to the ocean for the 39th time this year on the first Sunday of May and raised $43,000 for local organisations and charities.

Other News

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Vagina-Maxxing

It’s a thing. It popped into my newsfeed as a story. I had to click. I mean, what new vagina fashion has come into play. Maxxing? Is this some new big vagina trend? Are our vaginas now not ‘big’ enough? Are we trying to create a spare room in our womb?

Retiring on HEV

The Echo article on 17 June regarding the Oasis ‘retirement lifestyle’ development – with sites on Butler St and...

Oil supplies

They’re playing with our lives when they’re making wars in the Middle East. After Trump’s so-called peace announcement, there was...

Sustainable infrastructure

I attended the last Byron Council meeting – thanks to the community members who were able to come. The frustration...

Monk’s meditation and ceremonies return to Crystal Castle

During the Gyuto Monks’ stay they will conduct daily programs from 10.30am to 4.30pm which include meditation, multiphonic chanting, Buddhist talks, tantric art classes, and empowerment ceremonies, all included in the general admission price to Crystal Castle precinct.

Cartoons of the week – 24 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

‘If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love.’
― Steve Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006)

Wombat. Photo Pixabay.

‘Humanity can no longer stand by in silence while our wildlife are being used, abused and exploited.
It is time we all stand together, to be the voice of the voiceless before it’s too late. Extinction means forever.
― Paul Oxton

Koala Photo Tree Faerie.

 

 

‘Wildlife in the world can only be protected by the love of compassionate hearts in the world!’
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Cassowary and chicks. Photo Martin Willis.

 

 

‘Love them or leave them, it will always hurt if we kill them..! #wildlife’
― Kedar dhepe

Pythons.

 

 

 

 

‘If there is a happy wildlife in a country in addition to the happiness of the people, we can sincerely applaud that country!’
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Photo Sonia Friedrich.

 

‘Never apologize for being over-sensitive and emotional when defending the welfare of wildlife.
Let this be a sign that you have a big heart and aren’t afraid to show your true feelings.
These emotions give you the strength to fight for what is right and to be the voice of those who cannot be heard.’
― Paul Oxton

 

Eastern Grey kangaroos at Macadamia Castle. Photo David Lowe.

The incalculable value of wildlife

It’s World Wildlife Day and the United Nations is reminding us that this an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

Fifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation

World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme ‘Partnerships for wildlife conservation’, honouring the people who are making a difference.

Partnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid.

This upcoming year, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

This Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37,000 species of animals and plants.

Through the past 50 years, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form, making a significant contribution to sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation.

In accordance with this convention, UN agencies, private sector organizations, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife.

Sustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth.

We need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together.



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The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

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When it comes to real estate, everyone can use an advocate

With 45 years combined experience across both sales and property management, husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Errichiello have recently moved to the Northern Rivers and teamed up with Byron Property Search to provide advocacy services for people looking to buy or sell across the region.

Savour The Tweed returns, 22 October

Food and drink event, Savour The Tweed, returns to excite tastebuds this spring, from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 26 October.

Conservationists welcome carbon credit scheme to protect forests

Today’s release of the government’s proposed Improved Native Forest Method, which allows governments to claim carbon credits in return for stopping logging has been welcomed by the North East Forest Alliance and North Coast Environment Council as "providing a way to end native forest logging on public land".

Charge dismissed for activist hindering coal exports

An activist who came to national attention after being punched by a police officer while protesting, has had an anti-protest charge dismissed in court today.