From our Volunteers
From our Volunteers
Working together to test for future generations - rain, hail or shine.
Working together to test for future generations - rain, hail or shine.
Bellingen Riverwatch engages over forty community volunteers and four schools in our water quality program, and 42 people in our macro program.
Our volunteers are a passionate and dedicated group of people who care deeply for their rivers. Many of our volunteers have been with us from the very beginning and in a 2020 program evaluation, we found that the majority of our volunteers are happy to volunteer with us for the next five years.
Our Steering Committee partners would like to thank our volunteers from the bottom of their hearts for their incredible dedication to protecting our rivers.
Cassandra Vockler, WQM Support Volunteer
"Having recently retired from a career in science I thought it would be a great way to help collect vital data needed to further understand the increasing stresses we put on our environment. It also helps me integrate into the community."
"Having recently retired from a career in science I thought it would be a great way to help collect vital data needed to further understand the increasing stresses we put on our environment. It also helps me integrate into the community."
"Good data collection is at the core of good science so it is fundamental that we collect as much as possible."
"Good data collection is at the core of good science so it is fundamental that we collect as much as possible."
Jane Grebert, WQM Roving Volunteer
Jane Grebert, WQM Roving Volunteer
"I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to gathering baseline and ongoing data of our local river health."
"I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to gathering baseline and ongoing data of our local river health."
"Various land uses in the catchment concern me such as unmanaged stock, clear fell forestry, and excessive or inappropriate fertiliser and pesticide use. I hope that my small efforts can help add to a bigger picture that will ultimately improve our care of the local catchment area and therefore the river health, for all the life it supports."
"Various land uses in the catchment concern me such as unmanaged stock, clear fell forestry, and excessive or inappropriate fertiliser and pesticide use. I hope that my small efforts can help add to a bigger picture that will ultimately improve our care of the local catchment area and therefore the river health, for all the life it supports."
Henare Degan, WQM Support Volunteer
"I've always loved science and the positive changes it can make to our worlds."
"I've always loved science and the positive changes it can make to our worlds."
"Citizen science projects like Bellingen Riverwatch and the volunteers behind them are essential for building evidence and knowledge where our governments can't or won't act."
"Citizen science projects like Bellingen Riverwatch and the volunteers behind them are essential for building evidence and knowledge where our governments can't or won't act."
"Rivers and their health are a vital part of our local ecosystem so it's critical we care for them."
"Rivers and their health are a vital part of our local ecosystem so it's critical we care for them."
Skye Condon, WQM Roving Volunteer
"In our little town of Bellingen, we are very lucky to have the Bellingen Riverwatch project making it possible for locals to become more educated and involved."
"In our little town of Bellingen, we are very lucky to have the Bellingen Riverwatch project making it possible for locals to become more educated and involved."
"I’ve loved sharing the information learnt with my children, and watching them learn, asking questions, and playing an active part in it. I’ve loved learning from the team and seeing their passion and enthusiasm around the project."
"I’ve loved sharing the information learnt with my children, and watching them learn, asking questions, and playing an active part in it. I’ve loved learning from the team and seeing their passion and enthusiasm around the project."
"I'd definitely recommend citizen science. It’s educational, inspiring...it’s a way to help."
"I'd definitely recommend citizen science. It’s educational, inspiring...it’s a way to help."