HAVE you ever felt like getting involved in local nature?
Once a month, EstuaryWatch volunteers monitor the condition of local estuaries such as the Barwon River estuary at Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads and other Surf Coast and Bellarine locations. Volunteers collect data on estuary mouth condition, take photos and conduct water quality monitoring.
Getting involved in citizen science is easy, all you need is curiosity.
EstuaryWatch volunteers are citizen scientists working with co-ordinators from the Corangamite CMA collecting data, capturing images and recording the health of the region’s estuaries. And along the way the groups makes new friends and fascinating discoveries as they learn about their local environment.
Paul Saunders is a local who decided to join the Barwon EstuaryWatch Group last year.
“I had made the decision to cut back my work hours and give some of my time to local volunteering. I have always enjoyed spending time by the water, so EstuaryWatch seemed like a good fit.
“So far I have really enjoyed my time EstuaryWatch monitoring. There are few things more satisfying than doing science outdoors with new friends on a beautiful day,” he said.
EstuaryWatch is running an introductory training session in Barwon Heads on Sunday 14 August. If you have a few hours to spare each month and would like to volunteer contact Kate Wynn, EstuaryWatch co-ordinator on 5232 9100 or kate.wynn@ccma.vic.gov.au
