BELLINGEN-based environmental charity OzGREEN is back with its eighth Macro Muster, a free citizen science event based at the Bellingen Showground on Friday 30 May.
Young people on the Mid North Coast are invited to participate in this invertebrate monitoring program, the largest of its kind in Australia.
Program Manager Amy Denshire said anyone with a passion for local rivers and biodiversity is welcome to come along and explore the world of water bugs while learning about the crucial role they play in local rivers.
Guided by a scientist and volunteer Macro teachers, participants will conduct an accurate count of the water bugs at eight sites across the Bellingen and Kalang catchments.
“I love this event – it’s such an eye-opening experience,” Amy said, “and it’s been found to spark tangible, behavioural change in the community.”
Two new sites from the Nambucca region have been added for Macro Muster 8.
“I have watched the Muster evolve massively over my time with OzGREEN,” Co-CEO Kathleen Hannah said.
“The Bellingen Riverwatch partners have grown this program over the past four years [into] a deeply impactful community collaboration.
“It’s really quite inspiring to see so many passionate people come together, young and old, to proactively care for the local waterways.”
No prior experience is needed to attend the Macro Muster; all training will be delivered on the day.
The event is being held from 4pm in the Main Pavilion of Bellingen Showground with a community dinner to follow the waterbug count.
To register as a participant, go to ozgreen.org/macromuster.
OzGREEN Macro Muster partners are Bellingen Shire Council, Nambucca Valley Council, the Science Division at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and its Saving our Species Program, Arborgreen, The Belfry Guesthouse and Warren Weick Real Estate.
By Andrea FERRARI
