Riverkeeper Network Meeting

The Inaugural Riverkeeper Network Meeting

Riverkeeper Network Meeting

The Inaugural Riverkeeper Network Meeting

Local Links - Stronger Communities -

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The issue

The Parramatta River Catchment Group is on a mission to make Parramatta River swimmable by 2025. They cannot do it alone.

Community support for the project is critical, both as a driver to garner political will and to implement actions in their own households.

The solution

We created a plan for a Riverkeeper Network that will allow the community to have ownership over the river and be intimately connected to the river and its restoration.

The Riverkeeper Network program has five components. The first is to build a network of people who are interested in being involved, as well as those can act as ambassadors for the river. Ambassadors will be supported in a range of activities from speakers to organising niche events.

The impact

While small, the turnout for the meeting was amazing and included fisherman, scientists, photographers, landscape architects, artists and bushcare volunteers.

Two potential ambassadors have being identified, one as a Turtle Ambassador and another that is looking to establish ecological tours of the river as a NFP.

The Turtle Ambassador has already organised our first Turtle event - Talkin' Turtles.

Learnings

The general public want to be involved and can provide great knowledge and skills.

Future meetings should allow more time for networking between the attendees.

Key facts

  • We have a turtle ambassador!

Project Partners