Riverwatch

Shoalhaven Riverwatch is a volunteer community group working to improve the health and management of the Shoalhaven River around Nowra, New South Wales. Operating under the Shoalhaven Landcare Association, its activities are organised by a Landcare subcommittee. The group brings together people with varied backgrounds and interests to restore riverbanks and work with government and local communities on river management.

Its practical projects include planting mangroves, fencing, weeding and other bank restoration activities, supported by regular working bees. These usually take place on a weekday and combine hands-on conservation with opportunities for volunteers to connect socially. Riverwatch also contributes to river studies, oyster reef recovery and clean-up campaigns, and shares information through publications, newsletters, educational resources and a photographic library.

The organisation promotes awareness of mangroves, saltmarsh and blue carbon, and provides links to river, rainfall, dam and water-quality information. It also works with partners on interpretive signage and broader strategic river-management issues.