Waterwatch
NRM Education supports education and community action for sustainability. Waterwatch (Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges) is an important part of this program. It is important that water quality monitoring is connected to beneficial and sustainable behaviours and actions. NRM Education wants everyone to be working towards this goal.
Chemical and physical monitoring – Snapshots program
Waterwatch is a national water quality monitoring initiative established in 1992 through which people in the community become actively involved in protecting and managing local waterways and catchments. Last year, 10,000 volunteers monitored 5000 sites and over 150,000 students participated in curriculum-linked, hands-on education programs, nationwide.
Waterwatch makes a unique contribution to natural resource management by collecting credible water quality data that NRM bodies use to identify need for on-ground works, as well as monitoring and evaluating their impact.
Snapshots Data Weeks
Waterwatch groups use equipment loaned to them by their local NRM Education office. Groups must do their testing in the specified Data Weeks but are also encouraged to test more often if this fits in with their plans. Results are uploaded to our Waterwatch website where anyone can have a look at what is being monitored and where – it’s a fantastic education resource with many cross-curriculum connections.
Visit the Waterwatch water monitoring website for more details.
http://www.waterwatchadelaide.net.au/index.php?page=extensions
Biological Monitoring – Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates – or “waterbugs” – are indicators of water quality. NRM Education supports water monitoring groups in sampling macroinvertebrates each Spring. Groups in the Advanced data category will be given priority but other groups may be supported if their site has been strategically selected by us in consultation with the NRM Board. The data collected will be used by the Board in their regional report card. If your site is not chosen or you are not an Advanced group and you wish to sample for macroinvertebrates yourself, we can provide you with advice and loan equipment.
Visit the Waterwatch macroinvertebrate monitoring website for more details.
http://www.waterwatchadelaide.net.au/index.php?page=macroinvertebrate-monitoring
Biological Monitoring – Native Fish
Our native fish monitoring program occurs at strategically selected sites during late Spring, with each site sampled once every three years. Data collected will be used by the Board in their regional report card. This program requires Ministerial Exemption, and therefore is conducted by NRM Education staff with the support of our monitoring groups. Groups with sites suitable for fish monitoring will be contacted. Any help is appreciated, so if your site is not a strategic site but you would like to be involved with monitoring those that are, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Visit the Waterwatch fish monitoring website for more details.
http://www.waterwatchadelaide.net.au/index.php?page=fish-monitoring
Biological Monitoring – Wetland Birds
Students in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges will be introduced to the bird life of local wetlands and participate in an ongoing survey of their presence and any breeding activities. Schools are encouraged to make cumulative, seasonal observations of species present and to undertake a formal bird count of the numbers of each species on one day of each season. If you are a Waterwatching school, this could be an extension of your normal Waterwatch Water Quality Testing activities or a separate activity conducted once per term.
Visit the Waterwatch wetland bird monitoring website for more details.
http://www.waterwatchadelaide.net.au/index.php?page=wetland-bird-monitoring