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Students Solve Waterway Mysteries With New River Detectives Website

16 October 2015

Labor Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan today joined Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Anthony Carbines, to launch Victoria’s online waterway education tool developed for primary school students.

North Central Catchment Management Authority’s River Detectives Program brings Victoria’s successful Waterwatch program into the classroom via an interactive website.

Today’s launch highlights the importance of educating the younger generation about the environment and focuses on forming valuable partnerships with local community and Landcare groups.

The website also allows schools to share their ideas and resource and compare monitoring results, all this while nurturing a connection between the students and their local waterways.

The River Detectives program gives students an intimate knowledge and love for their local waterway through a variety of hands-on activities including regular water quality testing, macroinvertebrate sampling and habitat surveys. Students develop skills in monitoring and enhancing riparian habitats and are encouraged to become custodians of their local waterway.

The River Detectives website is an online environmental education teaching resource where lesson plans can be accessed, field data sheets can be printed, photos can be uploaded and data can be entered and mapped. Relevant news items, events and links to additional resources will be posted regularly to support the delivery of the program.

The website can be found by visiting www.detectives.net.auExternal Link

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Anthony Carbines

“The River Detectives website is a shining example of connecting rivers, landscapes and people, particularly our younger generation.”

“There are, to date, 1400 students from 36 schools taking part in the River Detectives program who are supported by 68 facilitators, some of whom are here today.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan

“I am proud that the North Central CMA took the lead in the development of this Victorian-first initiative.”

“The River Detectives website ensures the on-going success of environmental education in the region and its long-term community and river health benefits.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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