A whole river basin youth engagement and environmental education program for schools.
OzGREEN's MYRiveR program enables young people to become citizen scientists, test the health of the environment, identify key environmental threats and values, develop their own vision and implement their own action plans to sustain the health of their local waterways.
Since 2002, OzGREEN has involved over 60 regional communities and 6,000 young people in MYRiveR in the Brisbane, Bremer, Murray-Darling, Hunter, Cooks, Georges, Nepean, Onkaparinga, Yarra and Derwent River basins and internationally in India, East Timor, Pakistan and Central America.
The MYRiveR process builds collaborative relationships with indigenous leaders, business, government, non-government organisations, local communities, young people, schools and adults. Case studies from OzGREEN’s Australian and International programs, enable young people to gain first hand understanding of the global nature of local challenges.
Caring for our land, our river, our future.
Key Activities
Field Work |
One day field work per school, conducting snapshot of ecosystem health (water quality testing, flow, biodiversity, and community attitude surveys) |
Youth Congress |
Students analyse field data, identify ecological threats and values, develop a river vision and action plans. |
Community Forum |
2-hour forum facilitated by students to report back the results of their investigations, vision and action plans and engage community support. |
Youth Presentation |
Presentation by students to report back the results of their investigations, vision and action plans |
Youth Action |
Young people implement action plans with OzGREEN mentoring and support |
Outcomes
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Youth participation in real world science.
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Youth voice and vision for the future of their river.
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Innovative action plans developed to achieve this vision.
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Strengthened youth capacity to measure, analyse, reflect, plan, vision and act.
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Strengthened whole catchment thinking and links between schools and their communities.
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Increased commitment to environmental stewardship and water conservation.
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Increased active youth participation in the democratic process and civil society.
Community scientists and the scientific community working together to support the recovery of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle
Bellingen Riverwatch was created to provide consistent water quality data in the Bellinger and Kalang catchments following a disease outbreak that caused a mass mortality event of the Critically Endangered Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (BRST) in early 2015. A lack of water quality data was identified by scientists and community alike as a priority focus area.
The waterways of the Bellingen Shire are highly valued by the local community and they they support many activities, such as recreation and supplementary drinking water. Ongoing water quality data is important for monitoring the rivers’ health, identifying priority areas for management actions and educating the community on how to reduce the impact they may be having on their environment. Read more.
Our Volunteers
Bellingen Riverwatch engages 44 local community volunteers and 5 schools to collect monthly water quality data at 28 sites every month across the Bellinger, Never Never, and Kalang Rivers.
Volunteer with us
We test on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month, so if you are available on those days, have access to a car, and are interested in joining the team keeping an eye on our rivers, come to our next training days!
We're hosting a Volunteer Training Day on 23rd September - places very limited - register here.
All volunteers need to also complete a Bellingen Riverwatch Registration Form prior to attending our events.
Our Partners
Testing Sites
