Students help restore riverine environment

Our inland waterways are in good hands for the next generation thanks to a project by OzFish.

OzFish is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping restore the health of inland riverine environments – and the marine environment.

OzFish has been active in the Northern Murray Darling Basin, and for the eight weeks the local focus has been on the Namoi River at Narrabri.

Narrabri High students have been working and learning about the river under the tutelage of team leader for the River Repair Bus, Jay Barnett.

Through the Regional Youth Investment Program, OzFish provides an opportunity for young people in regional towns and Landcare NSW volunteers to participate in river restoration efforts in a fun, inclusive, and practical program, OzFish said.

Moree-based Mr Barnett, who works across the Northern Basin, has led the 15 to 25 Narrabri students’ activities for two hours each Thursday for the past eight weeks with two more weeks of the local program to go.

The project generally will see young people restoring river health and wildlife habitat, planting trees along waterways, making fish hotels for threatened fish species, restoring wetlands, collecting rubbish and designing and implementing a litter prevention project for their local rivers.

“Our aim is to improve river health, remove litter from the banks and educate students about how we can manage the issues facing native fish and the environment,” said Mr Barnett.

“The students are very receptive – part the session was removing litter along the banks but they willingly gave it a crack.”