The Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group (UPMCLG) hosted its second annual Citizen Science (CS) WaterWatch Day on Sunday 7th December, inviting citizens to step into the shoes of environmental scientists. The purpose of the day was to increase our understanding of creek health by assessing aquatic macro invertebrate populations. Participants learn how to recognise and sort their specimens into like categories (Order level, in taxonomy terms), and the presence and absence of different species and their numbers is then used to assess creek health.
Under the guidance of experienced WaterWatch Education Officer Trevor Hausler, volunteers examined aquatic macro invertebrates in stream samples from a local wetlands and Bruces Creek, an upper tributary of the Plenty River, learning how to sort and identify different species. The activity wasn’t just fun, it provided valuable insights into the health of the local creek.
The results were not as fantastic as we hoped. Although we had a wide range of taxa (different Families and species of waterbugs) our assessment score was 4.6 which indicates moderate pollution. A score over 6 indicated minimal disturbance. This information has also been uploaded to the National Waterbugblitz. This indicates that more efforts to reduce run off from surrounding land practises and a continuation of the fantastic work that Landcare are doing to restore riparian habitat restoration is needed.
An enthusiastic cohort of 11 citizen scientists (CS) from MCMC WaterWatch ensured plenty of hands and eyes were on hand for the activity. As active participants in a mission of environmental care, WaterWatch CS volunteers in WaterWatch activities and stream health assessments. Merri Creek Management Committee Coordinator of Citizen Science and Waterway Education Julia Cirillo said “It was inspiring to see our volunteers so engaged with the creek and its creatures. By working together, we’re not only helping to monitor the ecological health of our waterways but also building a lasting sense of stewardship.”
By recording the presence, absence, and abundance of tiny water dwelling creatures, participants helped build a clearer picture of the ecosystem’s condition. UPMCLG committee member David Markham said the day not only strengthens community knowledge of creek health but also inspires people to care for their environment.
“People love discovering what lives beneath the surface,” said UPMCLG Secretary Michael Watson. “It’s hands-on science that shows them how important these waterways are.” Michael is passionate about local waterways and is looking to form a WaterWatch Group to more closely monitor and improve our catchments health. And you don’t have to be local to be in it! Anyone interested in being part of a newly formed UPMCLG WaterWatch group is asked to contact UPMCLG Secretary Michael Watson at either our website www.upmclg.org.au, or via our Facebook page.
The Landcare Group plans to continue the tradition annually, combining education, community spirit, and environmental stewardship.
Written by David Markham, committee member of the Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group & Julia Cirillo, MCMC WaterWatch.