Calling all citizen scientists: Get involved in River Snap!

1 June 2023

Are you interested in getting involved in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Snap project? It’s easy and all you need to do is snap a photo of the river from a River Snap stand using your smartphone and upload it!

The River Snap project is coordinated by Western Sydney University with Hawkesbury City Council and Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance to help monitor river health.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean River is the largest and one of the most important river systems in NSW. It is a complex, living entity providing habitats for numerous native plant and animal species, supplying fresh drinking water, and supporting many of Sydney’s critical industries. Water is necessary not only for life to exist, but to also flourish.

The first River Snap stand has been installed at Howe Park, Windsor and already photos are coming through. Simply use the QR code on the sign to submit your image. Images uploaded will allow changes to the river and riparian zone to be tracked over time and provide a better understanding of the health of the river.

Brittany Vermeulen, Sustainability Coordinator, Sustainability Education and Partnership, Western Sydney University. Dr Michelle Ryan from the School of Science at Western Sydney University and The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Sarah McMahon launched the project at Howe Park, Windsor this week (pictured above, left to right).

Mayor McMahon is encouraging the community to jump on board.

“Our river needs help, so if you become a citizen scientist, you’ll be helping one of the most important river systems in Sydney,” Mayor McMahon said.

“The health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River has declined due to increasing pressures of a growing population and industrial and agricultural pollution, not to mention the many floods the river has experienced most recently,” she said.

“Using your smartphone, you can help the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance to monitor the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River over time.”

The River Snap project is coordinated by Western Sydney University with Hawkesbury City Council and Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance.

Dr Michelle Ryan from the School of Science at Western Sydney University is the current waterkeeper for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, and highlights the importance of the community being involved.

“The Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance has been created to be the community voice for the River,” Dr Ryan said.

“It is important that residents get actively involved in monitoring programs such as River Snap to help create a healthy, liveable, swimmable, fishable Hawkesbury-Nepean River.”

More River Snap stands are planned to be rolled out across strategic points along the river in the coming months. Find out more about River Snap and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance at www.westernsydney.edu.au/harwest/harwest

The River Snap project is funded through the University’s strategic initiative fund and is coordinated by the School of Science and Sustainability Education and Partnerships.

See the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance on Facebook www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090214967096

For more information, contact the Sustainability Education team via email sustainability@westernsydney.edu.au