Tis the Season to Celebrate: Waterway Achievements
I am thrilled to announce the release of the 2023/2024 Annual Achievements Report for WaterWatch and EstuaryWatch Victoria. This report shines a spotlight on the incredible efforts of citizen scientists working in partnership with Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) across the state, whose dedication to environmental stewardship continues to make a real difference.
Empowering Communities Through Citizen Science
The 2023/2024 report highlights the commitment of volunteers who have monitored the health of Victoria’s waterways. This year, 400 sites were monitored across Victoria’s waterways. Additionally, more than 8,000 people attended citizen science events, with 383 volunteers contributing data on platypus, birds, frogs, and waterbugs, these citizen scientists are contributing valuable data that helps to informs water management strategies and policy decisions.
Achievements Across the Catchments
Victoria’s CMAs, along with their dedicated volunteers, have made remarkable strides in protecting and enhancing our waterways, from monitoring water quality to fostering community participation. Below are some key highlights:
- Corangamite CMA: Launched the Barwon Basin Water Quality Report for 2021–2024, providing valuable insights into water health in the region.
- Goulburn Broken CMA: Reinvigorated WaterWatch in Strathbogie, contributing critical data for a local website that tracks climate change impacts.
- Melbourne Water: Successfully revived the Platypus Conference after a four-year hiatus, bringing together experts and community members to share insights on platypus conservation.
- Merri Creek Management Committee: Supported efforts to bring back Growling Grass Frogs and platypus populations in urban areas, enhancing biodiversity in Melbourne’s suburbs.
- North Central CMA: Empowered youth to take leadership, engaging their peers in a large-scale bio blitz, highlighting the importance of community-driven conservation efforts.
Read the Full Report
The 2023/2024 WaterWatch and EstuaryWatch Annual Achievements Report is now available online. Discover the full stories behind these successes and learn how you can get involved in monitoring and preserving Victoria’s precious water resources.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a peaceful New Year. May 2025 bring continued collaboration in protecting our precious environment.