The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) has welcomed ACT environmental volunteers and citizen scientists back into the field protecting and caring for the local environment.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said that after a two-month hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, volunteers are excited to be back on the land helping to maintain the environment.
“It’s fantastic to welcome volunteers from ParkCare, Waterwatch, catchment groups and other citizen scientists back into the ACT’s environment,” Mr Gentleman said.
“These dedicated individuals work every day to help protect and monitor our most important natural assets,” he said.
“Waterwatch volunteers monitor our local waterways and act as an early warning system for ecosystem and water quality issues, waterbugs and the condition of riverbank vegetation.”
Mr Gentleman said more than 200 volunteers conducted over 2,000 water quality surveys in 2019.
“Local volunteers will also help repair the damage from the summer’s devastating bushfires and are collecting data to help us better understand the long-term impacts,” he said.
He said Canberra had the highest rate of volunteering in the nation, with 36.7 per cent of adults and 57 per cent of young people volunteering.
Information on how to join a volunteer group looking after the environment can be accessed on the EPSDD website at this PS News link.
