Western Sydney University and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance has collaborated with Hawkesbury City Council to launch the River Snap project which allows citizen scientists to help monitor the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
Community members, stakeholders and students can take part in the program by snapping a photo of the river from a River Snap stand using a smartphone and uploading it.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean River is the largest and one of the most important river systems in NSW, and the images uploaded will allow changes to the river and banks to be tracked over time to provide a better understanding of its overall health.
The River Snap project, which has had its first point installed at Howe Park, Windsor was funded through the University's strategic initiative fund and is coordinated by the School of Science and Sustainability Education and Partnerships.
Dr Michelle Ryan, who is from the University's School of Science and is the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance's current 'Waterkeeper,' said the initiative highlights the important benefits that thriving river systems provide for people, native plant and animal species, as well as critical industries.
"It is important that residents get actively involved in monitoring programs such as River Snap to help create a healthy, liveable, swimmable, and fishable Hawkesbury-Nepean River," said Dr Ryan.
"Rivers provide us with drinking water, water to irrigate our food crops, a location to fish in and of course, a place to unwind, so this initiative is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved.
"If you look at a healthy river you will see a huge amount of biodiversity, a variety of plants, animals and insects, all parts of the river ecosystem we're working to support through the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance."
The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Sarah McMahon, is also encouraging the community to jump on board.
"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," said Mayor McMahon.
"Using your smartphone, you can help the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance to monitor the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River over time."
With more River Snap sites planned to be added along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River in the coming months, Dr Ryan explained how community contribution will benefit the long-term project and its outcomes.
"By using photos submitted by members of the public, we can track changes over time such as in the riverbank, in the vegetation along the river, and in the water clarity," she said.
"All of these will help members of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance to monitor and manage the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River."
For the second year in a row, Western Sydney University has been named number one in the world for its social, economic and environmental impact in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.
This prestigious annual ranking assesses universities on their commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University is world leading in its work with local communities that contribute to SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation.
