We welcome your help in maintaining and restoring the health of our rivers. Victoria’s success on achieving its vision for river health depends on the participation and support of all community members.

We want to ensure that communities and individuals:

• know about and understands the issues affecting river health
  
• participate at catchment level in setting priorities and making decisions.

Here are just a few ways to become involved:

Waterwatch Victoria

The Waterwatch Victoria program brings together community groups, landholders, councils, schools and local waterway management agencies (read a case study about this). These individuals and groups test the quality of their local waterway so that practical actions can be taken to maintain and improve water quality.

As we continue to manage rivers to meet the challenges of a changing climate, it will be increasingly important to have good, frequent waterway data across the state.

Waterwatch data will play an increased role in helping Victoria to meet this need. Every community monitor will be playing an active and crucial role in helping to protect and sustain our natural water resources.

To become a Waterwatch volunteer, visit the Waterwatch Victoria website. 

EstuaryWatch

EstuaryWatch (EW) is a community based estuarine monitoring program which started in 2006 through the Corangamite CMA and the Western Coastal Board.

Estuary Watch aims to: 'Raise awareness and provide educational opportunities to the community in estuarine environments, and enable communities and stakeholders to better inform decision making on estuarine health'.

Estuary Watch groups are constantly watching our estuaries, collecting a variety estuarine monitoring information to enter into an online database. Along with water quality monitoring, groups also photograph and record details of changing water levels, vegetation condition and the status of river mouths, ie whether they're open or closed.

For more, visit the EstuaryWatch page on the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority website.

Saltwatch

Every year volunteers around Victoria register with the Saltwatch program and in SaltWatch week collect samples from their local rivers, creeks, dams and bores. Around 250 sites are monitored.

Since 1987, Saltwatch has given volunteers the chance to develop skills in environmental monitoring, mapping and analysing results. Volunteers can upload their results to the Saltwatch website and compare their results with other groups.

Fishcare Volunteer Program

The Fishcare Volunteer program fosters stewardship and personal responsibility for fish resources and the aquatic environment. Fishcare volunteers provide information, educational material and assistance to Victoria's recreational anglers. They may also be involved in collecting recreational fish catch data to assist in managing our fisheries.