Creeks, rivers and wetlands are part of a shared system that supports communities, wildlife and the environment.
Learning about waterways builds a lasting connection between people and place revealing how everyday actions are linked to the health of the systems we all depend on.
Waterways are living classrooms
They connect science, environment and everyday life in ways that are practical, engaging and deeply connected to place.
Through Waterwatch education, students explore creeks, rivers and wetlands to understand how water moves through landscapes, how ecosystems function and how their actions influence the health of local environments. Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch offers a range of options to support everyone to learn from our waterways.
Why Waterway Education Matters
Understanding waterways helps reveal connections that are often hidden.
What happens on land flows into creeks and rivers. What happens upstream shapes everything downstream. These connections influence water quality, habitat and the ecosystems that communities depend on. Our waterways are also Biodiversity hotspots and key parts of our landscape.
For young people, learning about waterways builds awareness of how natural systems and everyday activities are linked—both locally and across the broader environment.
Learn, Explore & Care for Our Waterways
From hands-on activities in real rivers to curriculum resources and school programs, Waterwatch helps students and communities discover, understand, and protect our waterways.
Hands-on Learning in Real Waterways
Waterwatch connects students with real creeks and rivers through practical, engaging activities.
Explore aquatic habitats and food webs
Observe waterbugs to understand ecosystem health
Test water quality and track changes over time
Resources for Schools & Communities
We provide tools to help people better understand and care for local waterways:
Educational posters
Activity book for hands-on learning
Resources on restoring and protecting catchments
Support for Educators
Teachers can access a range of curriculum-aligned materials:
Curriculum linkages
Suggested classroom and field activities
Background information for lessons
Excursions & Incursions
We offer interactive learning experiences for students (subject to availability):
Waterbug identification sessions
Water quality testing activities
River ecology programs
Explore Education Resources
Discover a range of engaging materials designed to help students and communities understand, explore, and care for our waterways through hands-on and classroom-based learning.
A hands-on activity book for students that explores catchments, food webs, waterbugs, platypus and what makes a healthy waterway.
Packed with drawing activities, puzzles and citizen science moments, it brings the hidden world of our local waterways to life in the classroom and beyond.
From Learning to Participation
Education can often lead to deeper involvement over time. Across the region, people take part in activities that build understanding through hands‑on experiences, such as monitoring water quality, recording waterbugs, and observing species like platypus and frogs.
These activities help participants connect what they learn with real environmental outcomes. By contributing to ongoing observations and data, they become part of a broader effort to understand and care for waterway health. Continue your learning journey by getting involved.
Our Activities
We offer practical, interactive sessions designed to be educational, engaging, and fun.
Waterbug Surveying
Duration: 1–2 hours
Best for: Ages 5–18
Location: Creeks, wetlands, or ponds
Explore tiny creatures to understand water health.
Introduction to waterbugs and why they matter
Safety briefing and equipment overview
Collect waterbugs from the water in small groups
Identify species using charts and trays
Share results and learn what they reveal
Water Quality Testing
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Best for: Ages 10–18
Location: Creeks, wetlands, dams, or drains
Discover what's happening beneath the surface.
Introduction to key water tests (pH, clarity, temperature, etc.)
Safety briefing
Work in teams using testing kits
Record and compare results
Group discussion on what results mean for ecosystem health
Healthy Waterways Talk
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Best for: Ages 6–18
Location: Creeks, wetlands, dams, or drains
Learn what makes a waterway thrive.
Quick interactive introduction
Learn about healthy waterways and ecosystems
Explore common threats like pollution and erosion
Discuss local examples and solutions
Share simple actions individuals and schools can take
Waterwatch programs provide opportunities for students and communities to explore, understand and care for local waterways. These experiences connect people to their environment in meaningful ways through observation, participation and shared learning.
Booking: Please book at least 1 month in advance.
Get Waterwatch Updates
Be the first to hear about volunteer opportunities, events, and news from our waterways.
