Anglesea Futures
Citizen science is becoming increasingly important, collecting vital data on how our local environment is changing over time.
The Anglesea River EstuaryWatchers are a group of citizen scientists working with coordinators from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority collecting images, water quality data and recording observations on the condition of the Anglesea River. Along the way EstuaryWatchers make new friends and fascinating discoveries as they learn about their local environment. A highlight for the Anglesea River EstuaryWatch group is seeing their data used.
The Anglesea Futures Community Conversation meetings are a forum for community discussion and feedback after the closure of the ALCOA power station and coal mine in August 2015. The Anglesea River EstuaryWatch group’s historical water level and water quality data has been incredibly valuable in informing community and government agencies as part of Anglesea Futures.
Estuary Planning Coordinator at the Corangamite CMA, Tom Scarborough explains that “The research and reports that have been developed through the Anglesea Futures project could not have been done to the level they were without EstuaryWatch and its long term datasets for the Anglesea River. The quality data collected by the program has informed the research and helped provide a high level of confidence in the reports that will guide future management of the estuary.”
Dick O’Hanlon of Anglesea River EstuaryWatch has attended a number of the Anglesea Futures Community Conversation meetings. Dick said “It was great to hear that all the work put in by previous EstuaryWatchers has been proven useful, it is obviously even more important to continue collecting good data now.”
The Anglesea River EstuaryWatch group meet once a month. If you would like to find out more about the program please contact Rose Herben, EstuaryWatch Coordinator at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority on 5232 9100 or rose.herben@ccma.vic.gov.au . All information EstuaryWatch volunteers collect is available to the public at www.estuarywatch.org.au.
