The Green Team used the funds to continue restoration of the Warrell Creek Estuary’s natural mangrove vegetation, through targeted plantings at key locations, said Nyambaga Green Team project manager Terrence Hudson.

Practical techniques to prevent the erosion of the riverbanks and sand bars would also be implemented to protect the nesting sites of birds and deter turbidity caused by wind, wave action and wake wash from boat traffic.

The grant comes from The Barefoot Radler Coastcare Grant Scheme. Barefoot Radler is Australia’s first certified carbon neutral beer, committed to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions produced over the Barefoot Radler lifecycle.

Mr Hudson said the grant was greatly appreciated because it allowed the local conservation group to continue to combat erosive elements in Warrell Creek.

During the past five months, the team has worked to build rockwalls along Warrell Creek at Gumma.

The walls, which were around one metre high, were designed to lower the erosive impact of waves on highly eroded sections of Warrell Creek.

However, they were also designed to catch sediment to form quiet pockets for mangroves to grow and provide a permanent wave shield for the banks.

Mr Hudson said so far the project was successful and small mangroves had already started to appear in these pockets – something conservationists did not expect for up to five years after the pockets were established.

Coastcare members from all over the country were invited to apply for the grant.

Numerous submissions were received from each state and these were judged solely by Coastcare’s judging panel including member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists Dr John Williams, oceanographer and Coastcare PR Manager Giselle Firme and Landcare Australia Project Manager Sheena Martin.

The grant is a new initiative in continuation of Barefoot Radler’s efforts to tread softly on the planet.