Albury Students Take Action for the Murray River
In the last semester of 2009 Albury High School students applied their chemistry, geography and social science skills to help the Murray River – the key waterway in the Slopes to Summit region of the Great Eastern Ranges.
The students were taking part in the MyRiveR Murray River program. MyRiveR is run by OzGREEN, and over 3 days inspires young Australians and their communities to connect with the environment.
On the 1st day OzGREEN introduced the Year 9 students to water-testing procedures. They then assessed water quality, vegetation features, erosion levels and other measures demonstrating the health of a protected wetlands area, a popular swimming spot and an urban watercourse.
The group gave a big tick to the water quality in the wetlands, but results dropped sharply when they tested closer to Albury. They were especially surprised at the poor water quality in a section of the Murray River where many people swim during summer.
The students then took their testing data to the streets to ask community members how the Murray River has changed in recent years, and what they thought could be done about it. This allowed them to compare their field data with public attitudes and expectations about local environmental issues.
On the remaining days of the program the Albury group joined with students from other schools in Southern New South Wales. They compared test results, identified common concerns and environmental values, and came up with action plans for waterways where they live. They finished by presenting their ideas to representatives from local community and government organisations, who listened intently.
Schools in the Hunter Valley have recently been involved in a MyRiveR program focussed on Hunter Valley waterways.
