Riverkeeper Community Training Days

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Riverkeepers will be offering a series of free community training days to improve your citizen scientist skills for interested residents, StreamWatch volunteers, Bushcare groups, and Western Sydney University students who want to advocate and continue monitoring the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River with us. The data you collect from these community training days will be recorded and used to produce into our first report card.

The community training days are co-funded by Western Sydney University in partnership Streamwatch and LandcareNSW, and supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, the Greater Sydney Landcare Network, Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network, Cattai Hills Environment Network and Waterwatch.

Microplastics Training Day: Celebrate World Environment Day

Led by Western Sydney University School of Science academic Dr Michelle Ryan, come along to actively learn how to identify and quantify microplastic pollution in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. Trainees will participate in hands-on micro-plastic sediment sampling at Windsor Beach, Macquarie Park, Windsor (TBC), and then undertake microplastic counts back in the lab on Hawkesbury campus using microscopes. The training is aimed at enhancing your knowledge on the issues of the use of microplastics on our environments, and giving you practical skills to undertake sampling on your own locations. You will have assistance from Dr Ryan as well as trained Western's undergraduate Science students and Techincal Support Services.

Event Details

When: Saturday, 5th June 2021 from 9:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Meet at Windsor Beach, Macquarie Park, Windsor (TBC), followed by the labs on Hawkesbury campus
Cost: Free, and includes a light lunch

Register your interest to attend with our online registration form (opens in new window). Registrations will close one week prior to the event. Attendees must adhere to Western Sydney University COVID-19 protocols.

Please note this training day will be capped to a maximum of 25 attendees. Places will be awarded on a first-in basis, and a waiting list will be created thereafter.

Riparian Vegetation Assessments Training Day

Riparian habitats are where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems meet. They are vital sites in a catchment supporting high levels of biodiversity. Led by Streamwatch, Greater Sydney Local Land Services and Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network, join us and learn how to undetake a Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition along the banks of the Hakesbury-Nepean River. You will learn how to assess the ecological condition of riparian habitats using indicators that reflect functional aspects of the physical, community and landscape features of the riparian zone.

Event Details

When: August (TBC) from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Meet at Yarramundi Reserve, Springwood Rd, Yarramundi
Cost: Free, and includes a light lunch

Register for this training day will open soon.