Waterwatch

Waterwatch is a free river health education and monitoring program, which aims to increase community understanding, participation and ownership of local river health issues. It involves schools and the community in the assessment and monitoring of water quality in our streams and wetlands. This is done via a number of activities including water testing and water bug identification. Waterways provide enjoyment to people but are also important for the conservation of a great many rare or threatened species, including native fish, frogs, aquatic invertebrates and the platypus, which is responding well to recent improvements in water quality.

Our Waterwatch team provides talks on freshwater ecology to schools and groups, provides free training and events and co-ordinates the volunteer’s monitoring program.

Want to help your rivers and creeks? Become a Waterwatch Member

Joining Waterwatch is free and easy to do. By becoming a member of Waterwatch you join a network of people committed to improving and protecting the health of our waterways.Membership entitles you to:·               
  • Information on Waterwatch activities in your local area     
  • Regular updates and newsletters from your local Waterwatch Coordinator 
  • Invitations to attend Waterwatch events
  • Information on the health of your local waterways
  • Meet others who are interested in protecting and improving the health of our waterways   
  • Become a Waterwatch monitor, regularly water testing a local waterway. All training and equipment is provided.

How to join

 

To become a member of Waterwatch, its best to follow these steps:

1.     Read the information sheet below or click on the following links for more information:  

www.waterwatchmelbourne.org.au   
www.vic.waterwatch.org.au

2.      Scroll down to read information Waterwatch training .

3.     Contact the Waterwatch Coordinator  on 9457 9885 or julia.vanderoord@banyule.vic.gov.au to book into a training session- this is where your volunteer journey with Waterwatch begins. Once you have completed the training you are now eligible to become a Waterwatch volunteer.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

The Darebin Froggers - Events for 2009

Banjo (Pobblebonk) Frog, Photo taken by Julia Vanderoord

The frog is one of the most iconic and amazing creatures living in our waterways.  In fact, they are labelled by scientists as an "ecological indicator" because their very presence can indicate that a river, creek or wetland is healthy.  Unfortunately the numbers of frogs in our waterways are declining, due to factors impacting their habitat such as reduced water quality and plant life, changes in land use, human activities and more increasingly, climate change. 

Come and join the Darebin Froggers on our regular frog romps at a number of wetlands and on the Creek itself throughout the Darebin Creek Catchment.

 

The Darebin Froggers have been participating in the Melbourne Frog Census in the Darebin Creek catchment for the last 4 years and have discovered many species in the area. We meet for an hour, usually in the evening and in our sessions we cover:

  • How to identify different frogs and go out and find them!
  • Learn about the local populations of frogs,
  • How to participate in the Melbourne Water frog census
  • The ultimate health of our local waterways.

Our outings are appropriate for the whole family! By participating in the Frog Census you will:

  • Help increase our understanding of where frogs are found
  • Learn about our local frogs and how to identify them from their call
  •  Help raise community awareness about the health of their local rivers, creeks and wetlands

 Events for 2009 For all events:Bring:  walking shoes, torch and wet weather gear if rain forecast. Recording gear if you have it, camera, etc.

Bookings essential:  Peter Grenfell 9499 4454, peterg@dcmc.org.au

Date Location Time Further info
12 May 2009 Darebin Parklands 6.30-7.30pm We will be testing the salinity of the wetlands as part of the State wide saltwatch program as well as listening out for southern brown tree frog & the banjo frog.
4 June 2009   Rotunda Mill Parks Lakes Estate, Sth Morang (Birrali Way, north of Gordon’s Road) Mel ref 183 B4 6.30-7.30pm A walk around the headwaters of Hendersons Creek, to hear pobblebonk and marsh frogs
4 October 2009  Norris Banks Reserve, Bundoora 9.30am-12noon Bring your bicycle because it’s a bike ride along the Darebin Creek. We hope to see Growling Grass Frogs
18 October 2009 Meet Darebin Parklands 10am-12noon Part of spring outdoors and National Water WeekPerhaps translocating of wetland plants from pobblebonk to another frog habitat? (Pete G to check)

Waterwatch Newsletter

Click on the link below to download Northern Waters - the Waterwatch newsletter of the north east waterways of Melbourne.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

Waterwatch Training

Interested in learning what's really going on in your local creek, wetlands or river? Can frogs, platypus or even native fish survive in your waterway?

Port Phillip & Westernport Waterwatch run FREE river health training sessions for teachers, community groups and individuals wishing to help improve their river health monitoring skills by regularly testing the water. You will learn the different sampling techniques, including aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling and identification, how the data you collect is used and how to develop a monitoring plan. Its fun, free and very easy to do!

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

Teacher PD Sessions and Education Kits

Please click here for information on upcoming professional development waterwatch worskshops and education kits.

Waterwatch Water Quality Reports

Waterwatch collects, studies and interprets water quality data collected by Waterwatch volunteers. Some brief summaries are provided by clicking on thelink below. For further reports and data in the Banyule area please contact Banyule’s Waterwatch Coordinator on 9457 9885 or Julia.vanderoord@banyule.vic.gov.au .

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF documents. Click here to download the reader.

Further Information

www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/index.php (Waterwatch Victoria website)

 

www.waterwatchmelbourne.org.au (Melbourne Water’s Waterwatch Education website)

 

www.platypus.asn.au/ (The Australian Platypus Conservancy)

 

frogs.org.au/frogs/state_frogs.php?state_key=64 (Victorian Frog Group)

 

frogs.melbournewater.com.au (Melbourne Water frog census)

 

www.freshwater.net.au  (Community portal information hub)

Related Links