School kids in York enjoyed a waterways workshop held on the banks of the Avon River. The workshop organised by Wheatbelt NRM with the York District High School saw 53 year 4/5s learn how to do invertebrate surveys and about water quality, biodiversity, and river management.
This workshop was a welcome return, as over the last few years waterways education experiences have been missing in the region.
Balladong Elder Audrey Nettle spoke about her family growing up on the banks of the river and local resident Rosie Fleay told stories of swimming in the river as a child.
John Crook from the River Conservation Society talked about using camera traps to find out that Rikali (native water rat) are still to be found in the Avon River.
The kids enjoyed the macroinvertebrate sampling and were amazed about the number of creatures they found. 15 different species of aquatic invertebrates were recorded.
When asked to answer how many shrimp they found student Sadie Draper could only answer “lots and lots” as there was just too many to count.
The diversity of species that turned up in the nets indicated that the water quality is quite good and providing habitat not just for these micro creatures but for the larger ones that feed on them as well.
Thanks to York District High School for having us.
Wheatbelt NRM was excited to be able to deliver this workshop through the support of the Department of Water and Environmental Education as part of the Clean Waterways Program.
