Fact sheet

River Detectives 2023 Annual Report

Celebrate the 2023 achievements of schools across all five participating regions of Victoria as they learn about our precious waterways and catchments. For previous reports, contact riverdetectives@nccma.vic.gov.au

  • Fact sheet, General, Teacher,
  • All Regions,

Waterbirds and Farm Dams brochure

This guide can help landholders understand the habitat requirements of waterbirds to create or enhance a water body to attract native fauna. This has the added benefits of improving water quality and adding a valuable natural asset to the property.

Also see the resource, ‘Enhancing Farm Dams’ for creating fish habitat.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Enhancing Farm Dams brochure

Farm dams can serve dual purposes as water supply for stock/households as well as important refuges for native fauna. Use this guide to learn how to enhance dams to conserve the ‘Magnificent Six’ – a group of threatened floodplain specialist fish on the brink of extinction in the southern Murray-Darling Basin. These species are southern pygmy perch, Yarra pygmy perch, southern purple-spotted gudgeon, Murray hardyhead, olive perchlet and flat-headed galaxias.

Also see the resource, ‘Waterbirds and Farm Dams’ for creating habitat for waterbirds.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Lower Secondary, Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Of Dragons and Damsels articles

Wombat Forestcare have published two excellent articles over several editions showcasing dragonflies and damselflies with some great information and gorgeous images.

Part 1 Dragonflies: March 2023 edition, pages 4-6

Part 2 Damselflies: June 2023 edition, pages 3-5

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,

Tullaroop Catchment Project River Health Snapshot

Gauge the health of waterways in the Tullaroop Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists. ​

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Frank Steele’s volunteer video story

To celebrate the Waterwatch Program’s 30th anniversary, Frank Steele shares why he has enjoyed volunteering as a water quality monitor for the past 11 years.  His story highlights the value in monitoring intermittent waterways and collecting photos, even in dry times, as a way of tracking change over time and measuring climate change.  To read the written story click here.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Pesticide Watch guide

During 2023 some regions will value add to their monthly water quality monitoring by participating in Pesticide Watch, a nation-wide program run by Deakin University helping communities identify pesticides in their local waterways through citizen-science.

Find out more by reading this guide or join the Pesticide Watch Facebook Page.  A video of the testing process can be viewed here.

For pesticide teaching resources click here.

To ask questions about the testing process or Pesticide Watch project contact Brady Hamilton from Deakin University directly; brady.hamilton@deakin.edu.au

  • Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Presentation Template

Teachers and students can edit this River Detectives slideshow template to present content, share findings, showcase photos or present projects internally in class, at school assemblies or information evenings OR externally for award nominations, forum presentations, etc.

It can be used at in-person or shared on screen during online events.

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

School stories from the North Central CMA region

Be inspired by the way schools in the north central region are implementing the program;

Daylesford Dharma School (2023) and Bridgewater PS (2022).

To view a video featuring Bridgewater Primary School’s River Detectives story click here.

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North Central CMA,

Caring For The Campaspe Project River Health Snapshot 2021

Gauge the health of waterways in the Campaspe River using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Wildlife of Native Grasslands on Victoria’s Northern Plains

Victoria’s Northern Plains grasslands support unique yet highly endangered and severely fragmented communities of plants and animals.  Over the past 180 years, more than 99% of grasslands have been removed or substantially altered for agriculture.  Learn about the creatures that rely on this important habitat and the plants and vegetation that support them.  Head to fauna for videos about endangered Plains-wanderer birds.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North Central CMA,

Saving the endangered Plains-wanderer bird

Critically endangered and at risk of imminent extinction, the North Central CMA is working in partnership with Trust for Nature and Australia’s National Recovery Team for the Plains-wanderer.

Find out more about Plains-wanderers by viewing these videos about these quirky creatures; of using song meters to monitor populations, Werribee Zoo’s captive breeding program, incubating Plains-wanderer eggs and this gorgeous footage of the first captive-bred chicks.

A picture storybook has now been released with teacher notes and is a great way to engage young learners.  You can also use this beautiful colouring sheet.

To learn more about the unique habitat of the Plains-wanderer check out the brochures ‘Plants and Vegetation of Native Grasslands on Victoria’s Northern Plains’ and ‘Wildlife of Native Grasslands on Victoria’s Northern Plains’.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Story Book/Photo, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio,
  • North Central CMA,

Indigenous Plant Use booklet

This booklet describes the medicinal, nutritional and technological uses of native plants found widely across the eastern Kulin Nation.  The guide increases awareness of cultural plants although we suggest you seek advice from your local Traditional Owner group for specific information.  The guide will help you design and establish a cultural garden with plant labels you can print, laminate and install.

  • Aboriginal Cultures, Fact sheet, Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Insects of Central Victoria field guide

This is a user-friendly field guide featuring a selection of pollinating insects.  It showcases insects that are likely to be observed if you sit quietly for 10 minutes in your garden or nearby bushland.  For those in the Macedon Ranges, Bendigo, Mount Alexander and Hepburn shire areas, hard copies can be sourced from council offices.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North Central CMA,

A to Z Creature Feature poster

From the Alpine Spiny Crayfish to the Zebrafish, Parks Victoria’s A-Z poster will help students learn about some of Victoria’s weird and wonderful plants and animals.  For more information about the places where they are found head to the Parks Victoria website.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Poster, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Bendigo Creek Citizen Science Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of the Bendigo Creek using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

To view and compare the 2021 report click here

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Reimagining Bendigo Creek project

The Reimagining Bendigo Creek project is a long-term vision aiming to create a healthier, more inclusive, connected and beautiful Creek that we can all respect and value.

Click the title link for details or use the project prospectus for a great summary of the issues that exist along the Bendigo Creek and the strategies to overcome them to assist Bendigo Creek reach it’s full potential.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Urban/Storm Water, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Healthy Coliban Catchment Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of waterways in the Healthy Coliban Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists

To view and compare the 2021 report click here.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

RiverScan Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of waterways in the RiverScan project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

To view and compare the 2021 report click here.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Native Fish Recovery Plan Prospectus – Gunbower and Lower Loddon

Although this document has been written for potential investors it is a great summary of the issues that exist in the Gunbower and Lower Loddon area and the strategies to overcome them.  For a great example of agriculture working with environmental agencies to bring back endangered fish watch this video.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Caring for the Campaspe achievements brochure

Read about the amazing achievements of this North Central CMA project from 2012-2020.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Site Selection Checklist

When choosing your site along a waterway or at a wetland for citizen-science activities (water quality monitoring, waterbug sampling and habitat surveys) there are many things to consider.  Please refer to this checklist to assist you.

  • Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

School stories from the North East CMA region

Be inspired by the way schools in the north east are implementing the program;

Rutherglen PS (2023), Mitta Mitta PS (2022) and St Patrick’s PS Wangaratta (2020)

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North East CMA,

School stories from the Melbourne Water area

Be inspired by the way schools in the Melbourne Water area are implementing the program;

Enjoy this story from Mount Lilydale Mercy College (2020) that shows how the River Detectives program can play a role in the secondary program of a large urban school.

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • Melbourne Water,

School stories from the Corangamite CMA region

Be inspired by the way schools in the Corangamite region are implementing the program;

Timboon P-12 School (2023), Deans Marsh PS (2022) and Carlisle River PS (2020)

To view a video featuring Deans Marsh Primary School’s River Detectives story click here

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • Corangamite CMA,

School stories from the Wimmera CMA region

Be inspired by the way schools in the Wimmera region are implementing the program;

Jeparit PS (2023 and 2021) and Stawell PS (2022).

To view a video featuring Stawell Primary School’s River Detectives story click here

  • Fact sheet, General, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • Wimmera CMA,

The impact of animal poo on our waterways

This article (and video) explains the impact animal poo has on our waterways and makes some interesting  comparisons between the impact of native animal poo and exotic animal poo.  The article is quite detailed but information can be extracted for younger students.  The video is short and simple.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Kamarooka Saltland Restoration project fact sheet

This fact sheet will be useful for secondary students to understand the positive impact that strategic revegetation on saline land can make to lower the watertable.  Northern United Forestry Group’s Kamarooka Saltland Restoration project site is 30km north of Bendigo.

More information about the project can be found here and excursions can be organised by emailing nufg@nufg.org.au

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Salinity, Teacher, Upper Secondary,
  • North Central CMA,

Platypus and Litter fact sheet

A simple fact sheet highlighting the horrific facts about litter and platypus and the good news of how we can help.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary,
  • All Regions,

Annual Environmental/Cultural Celebration Dates

Schools and the community are invited to recognise and celebrate significant environmental / cultural days each year; some are regional, some national and some international.  Many of these days tie in perfectly with the ethos of the River Detectives program and provide valuable opportunities to broaden/deepen environmental learning and encourage your students to advocate on a range of environmental and cultural issues.

Check out this calendar (embedded with loads of links) and go wild !!

  • Aboriginal Cultures, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), General, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Campaspe River resource

This guide is a great resource for teachers and older students to understand the Campaspe River; catchment, Aboriginal and European history, flows, health and management.

Produced as part of the Caring For The Campaspe project, this guide will be a useful resource for the many schools now engaged with the project through the River Detectives program along the Campapse River.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Backyard Birds of Victoria

This great resource can be used as a identification chart for students to begin their birdwatching adventures and the second page is an excellent fact sheet with tips on bringing back birdlife to our parks, homes and gardens.

  • Activity Sheet, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Poster, Teacher, Upper Primary,
  • All Regions,

Bird colouring sheets

Birds can be thought of as ‘nature’s flying rainbows’.  Colour these fact sheets or use them to inspire your own drawings and make a bird mobile or bird bunting to decorate your classroom, bedroom or garden:  galah, pelican, rainbow bee-eater, red-capped parrot, star finch, variegated fairy-wren.

  • Activity Sheet, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Teacher, Upper Primary,
  • All Regions,

Backyard Buddies website

If you are looking to find out more about the native fauna and flora at your waterway, home, school, etc this website is a great place to start.

Explore‘ your own piece of wilderness by reading profiles about native birds, bugs/insects, mammals, frogs, reptiles and some plant families.

Get busy with a project and ‘Create‘ buddy habitats for birds, bugs/insects, mammals, frogs, reptiles and plants.

Use the tips to ‘Help‘ a backyard buddy.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Website,
  • All Regions,

Frogs of the Wimmera slideshow

This very informative powerpoint presentation was put together by the Wimmera CMA as a PD for River Detectives educators in that region during 2020.

It is full of information, graphics and useful links for teachers to brush up their own skills and arm themselves with content and resources to teach students about frogs.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Video/Audio,
  • Wimmera CMA,

Geographic Concepts for a Floodplain and Catchment powerpoint slides

Want to know what some basic floodplain Geographic terms and concepts mean? Jeanie Clark from the Wimmera CMA put together the following three presentations to introduce the basic Geographic terms in a riverine landscape to teachers with little geographic training.  Click on the links below to access each one. The slides could also be used with upper primary/secondary students.  The Jeparit Showgrounds, Jeparit Primary School’s Waterwatch/ River Detectives site, was used as a local example to describe:

  • geographic features  –  of the site, the floodplain in which it  sits and the catchment that it belongs to. Names and explains some river processes that create them.
  • geographic terms  – the nine basic concepts in Geography: location; distance; scale; region; distribution; movement; spatial association; spatial interaction; and spatial change over time.
  • geographic changes over time  –  Follow the changes from 1996-2015 to see what happens to salinity, river height, erosion and vegetation changes through the Millenium Drought, return of flow, major flood and sustained levels at the site.

Jeanie is an ex-VCE Geography teacher and can be contacted through the Wimmera CMA for advice/support (time permitting).

 

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Secondary, Salinity, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water cycles, Waterways,
  • Wimmera CMA,

Aussie Backyard Bird Count

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is an annual citizen-science event held in National Bird Week (October).  It is a great way to connect with the birds in your backyard no matter where your backyard happens to be — a suburban backyard, a local park, a patch of forest, down by the beach, or the main street of town.

You can use the App  to do as many 20-minute surveys as you like over the week with the data collected assisting BirdLife Australia understand more about the birds that live where people live.

Use the lesson plans to explore birdwatching at school.

Check out an infographic of the 2020 results for some great maths stats.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Website,
  • All Regions,

Discover Ducks

Did you know that Australia is home to 15 native duck species? Yet five in six Victorians can’t name a single one! The ‘Discover Ducks’ website wants to change this and build a nation of duck lovers who are passionate and knowledgeable about our native ducks.

Head to this website to; learn about iconic Victorian duck species, learn how to care for ducks, use the duck detector guide to go duck spotting, use the duck detector map to find out where ducks have been spotted or add your own sighting, challenge yourself to the ‘know your ducks quiz’ or complete a fun survey to discover which duck you are.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Game, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Website,
  • All Regions,

Now and Then waterbug guide

This booklet was produced quite some time ago by Corangamite CMA but remains a fantastic resource with waterbug profiles including fantastic photos showing the scale of bugs compared to a five cent piece, life cycle sketches, did you know facts and sketches/descriptions of the six main types of waterbug mouthparts (useful graphics for student research projects).

Information and graphics from this booklet have also been used to produce our Waterbug Fact Sheets.

  • All, Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Story Book/Photo, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,

Environmental Water in Northern Victoria

Many of Victoria’s rivers and wetlands have been modified to provide water vital for farms, homes and industry.  Water for the environment also benefits communities by improving conditions for fishing, camping and canoeing. Improved water quality can have economic benefits for irrigation and urban water supply.

This map shows how water for the environment will help improve and protect plants and animals in northern Victoria in 2020-21.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Lower Secondary, Map, Poster, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • North East CMA, North Central CMA,

Importance of the Ground Storey

This resource developed by Goulburn-Broken CMA highlights the importance of ground storey to native fauna and catchments.  Ground storey is the layer of leaf litter and woody debris found on the ground and is often misunderstood as a mess or fire risk that must be cleaned up.

This guide with stunning nature photography can be used as a series of fact sheets for teacher background or student research.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Waterbirds Field Guide of the North Central region

This guide produced by North Central Waterwatch includes fact files on waterbird species; description, distribution, diet, calls, breeding, habitat and conservation status. Beautiful photos make it a great asset for birdwatching at any waterway.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North Central CMA,

Waterbug fact sheets

Comprehensive fact sheets on a variety of bugs in each of the sensitivity categories including photos and labelled sketches with information on size, appearance, habitat, diet, movement, predators, life cycles and other interesting facts.

 

  • All, Fact sheet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,

Golden Perch Profile

Find out about Golden Perch and their distribution across northern Victorian waterways.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North East CMA, North Central CMA,

Murray Cod Profile

Find out about Murray Cod and their distribution across northern Victorian waterways.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • North East CMA, North Central CMA,

Frogs Field Guide of the North Central region

This guide produced by North Central Waterwatch includes fact files on frog species; description, calls, breeding, eggs, tadpoles, habitat and conservation status. It also clearly explains the different types of pupils, toes and eggs that can assist with frog identification.

The frog profiles are also available as fact sheets; Growling Grass Frog, Peron’s Tree Frog, Southern Brown Tree Frog, Whistling Tree Frog, Barking Marsh Frog, Bibron’s Toadlet, Common Froglet, Common Spadefoot Toad, Giant Banjo Frog, Plains Froglet, Pobblebonk, Southern Toadlet, Spotted Marsh Frog, Striped Marsh Frog and Victorian Smooth Froglet.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Guide/Activity booklet,
  • All Regions,

Fish Field Guide of the North Central region

This guide produced by North Central Waterwatch includes fact files on fish species; description, breeding, fins, eggs, habitat, diet and conservation status including threats. A map showing the fish species approximate distribution in the North Central CMA region and a breeding cycle calendar is also provided for each species, along with a photo or two.

The fish profiles are also available as fact sheets; Short-headed Lampray, Bony Bream, Common Galaxias, Mountain Galaxias, Flat-headed Galaxias, Spotted Galaxias, Australian Smelt, Freshwater Catfish, Murray Hardyhead, Un-specked Hardyhead, Murray-Darling Rainbowfish, Golden Perch, Macquarie Perch, Trout Cod, Murray Cod, Silver Perch, River Blackfish, Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon, Flathead Gudgeon, Dwarf Flathead Gudgeon, and Southern Pygmy Perch .

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Guide/Activity booklet,
  • All Regions,

Wonderful Waterbugs

You may like to use this activity sheet from Melbourne Water when completing a sampling activity – includes a space to sketch the bugs you find and profiles on five common waterbugs.

  • Activity Sheet, Fact sheet, Lower Primary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,

Salinity Scale

Use this resource to check the salinity tolerances of humans, crops, livestock, compare your EC results and understand how salinity can impact on all areas of life.

 

  • All, Fact sheet, Poster, Salinity, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Carp Fact Sheet

Find out about this introduced fish species and how carp impact on our waterways

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals),
  • All Regions,

Barapa Barapa Field survey plant guide

Find out more about plants in the Barapa Barapa region through pictures and descriptions of the plant, it’s habitat and it’s traditional uses.

 

  • Aboriginal Cultures, All, Fact sheet, Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet,
  • North Central CMA,

Our platypus – information brochure (posters)

This brochure developed by Melbourne Water is useful for any region with great information presented in a very clear format that could be used as posters for the classroom.

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Poster,
  • All Regions,

Creating a frog friendly habitat

Find out all about how to create a frog friendly habitat

  • All, Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Controlling carp fact sheet

Find out all about the National Carp Control Plan – informative and interesting!

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary,
  • All Regions,

Waterbug Cards

Use these cards to;

  • print and assemble cards with picture and information back to back (laminated will increase their longevity) and use with the In Stream Habitat Poster to place bugs in their preferred habitat zone
  • print the pictures and information separately and match to each other.  Up the stakes and do this in a game of Concentration.
  • play celebrity head to ‘guess the bug’
  • sort the bugs into groups; herbivores/carnivores, legs/no legs, habitat zones, sensitive/tolerant.  How else could you classify them ?
  • print two sets (pictures only) and use for games of concentration, snap or fish to practise identification skills
  • Activity Sheet, All, Fact sheet, Game, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,

Salinity – fact sheet

Salinity refers to the movement and concentration of salt through the landscape. Find out more here!

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Salinity, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

What is a catchment?

This is useful fact sheet to define and explain catchments.  For more detail about how catchments and waterways are interrelated and how they can be protected see this fact sheet for older students.

 

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Algae fact sheet

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Stormwater fact sheet

What is stormwater? Where does it come from, where does it go and what can we do to help protect our waterways?

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Urban/Storm Water, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Phosphorus – fact sheet

Your quick reference guide to all things phosphorus.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Habitats near a waterway – fact sheet

Find out about the different habitats near and in a waterway and why they are important.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Flora (plants), Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

What is the riparian zone? – fact sheet

The riparian zone is any land that adjoins, directly influences, or is influenced by a body of water. Find out what the values, threats and management concerns are.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Flora (plants), Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Blackwater Fact sheet

Find out about why water sometimes turns black!

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Woody Habitat Fact Sheet

Find out what woody habitat is and why it is an important part of waterways.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Foam fact sheet

Find out how and why foam occurs in waterways.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Turbidity Fact Sheet

  • All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

pH Fact sheet

  • All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Water Bug Flip Charts

An interactive resource about the most common macroinvertebrates.  Set on a 5 cent piece, images help students understand the size and scale of waterbugs and when your mouse hovers on an image it flips to reveal a fact file of the bug’s name, size, physical features and interesting adaptions.

 

  • All, Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Water bugs,
  • All Regions,