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Estuary Waterwatch Program
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The estuary waterwatch program has been running since July 2009 and is coordinated by Bournda Environmental Education Centre (BEEC). The program complements the freshwater Waterbug Surveys that Bournda EEC has coordinated with local schools over the past decade. It involves students collecting biodiversity and water quality data to determine the health of our local estuaries. Estuaries host a range of aquatic life and provide a great opportunity for students to explore a range of environmental issues. The Far South Coast has an abundance of pristine and beautiful estuaries and local schools involved in this waterwatch program will be collecting valuable information to help monitor the health and quality of these important habitat. Students use a range of collecting equipment including nets, sieves and buckets to collect and identify local estuarine species. The diversity and abundance of species is then recorded. Students also test water quality parameters including temperature, pH and turbidity. This information is then added to a database that can be used to monitor estuary health into the future. It is always an interesting time to be studying estuaries! Drought and rain effect the mouth of an estuary allowing the movement of species between the ocean and lake. You never know what you may see... The range of strange and bizarre creatures that occur in the lake fascinate the students (old and young). Many of the species collected have never before been seen by students.In 2011 BEEC will continue to support schools in their development of an Estuary Waterwatch program at a location near their school and will provide equipment and expert assistance to teachers and students involved in the program.
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