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About Catchment Connections
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An illustration showing how the local environment and our catchments are interconnected, based on the Eastwood Canal art mural (Copyright Hotbed Designs) |
Catchment Connections covers over 2,000 hectares (20 km2) across the Terrys Creek, Mars Creek, Shrimptons Creek and Buffalo Creek catchments, which are all tributaries of the Lane Cove River. The project commenced in 2008 and is run in partnership with City of Ryde, Hornsby Shire and Hunters Hill Councils and funded by the NSW Environmental Trust.
Catchment Connections aims to improve the water quality of local creeks, preserve and enhance remnant bushland areas, improve local biodiversity and increase community involvement in Bushcare activities.
This three year project features an exciting community education and engagement program to reconnect the local community with their catchment. It is complemented by on-ground bush regeneration works and construction of a water sensitive urban design (WSUD) demonstration site.
Other activities include:
- the installation of a 48 metre educational mural along Eastwood Canal
- production of environmental education resources and
- a comprehensive training program for Bushcare volunteers.
A Community Reference Group has also been established to provide input to the project’s activities, and to assist with identifying specific community needs and challenges.
Where are you in the Catchment?
Check out the map to find where you live, work or play in the catchment. View the Catchment Connections Project Area (PDF 1MB).
What is a Catchment?
A catchment is the land bound by hills or mountains from which rainwater flows downward towards a waterway. Catchments are connected from top to bottom, so what happens upstream in a catchment has a large impact further down the catchment. Human activities across a whole catchment, such as pollution, soil erosion and the spread of weeds, can adversely affect the quality of water and the environment at the bottom of the catchment.
How you can be involved
Join your local Bushcare group
Bushcare involves volunteers helping to manage and restore natural areas, mostly on public land, through the use of bush regeneration practices. Becoming a Bushcare volunteer is a great way to help the environment, meet new people and learn new skills. Bushcare volunteers are supported by their local councils and receive training and tools.
If you would like to join a Bushcare group contact your local council for more information.
Make your garden bush and wildlife friendly
You can help create a garden that is bush and wildlife friendly garden by doing a few simple things.
Grow bush friendly plants
Remove weeds that can spread into local bushland and grow native plants that are local (indigenous) to your area.
Create habitat for local wildlife
Grow a variety of plants to provide food for native birds and animals, and to attract beneficial insects; avoid the use of pesticides which can harm lizards and frogs; provide valuable habitat for native wildlife by having logs, rocks, tree hollows, mulch and leaf litter in your garden.
Be a responsible pet owner
Keep you cat inside, particularly at night; keep your dog on a leash outside the home (unless at a leash-free park) and collect your dog’s waste.
For Further Information
If you would like more information about the Catchment Connections project please phone 9952 8222.
Other Partner Councils
This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.  |
