Are you keen to join a citizen science workshop on wetland restoration?
Join us next Friday, January 28th, for a citizen science day! We’ll begin with a presentation about coastal wetland research, then head to the Gippsland Lakes to collect data from the tidal marshes.
Read more about the project in our briefing.
Saltmarsh restoration in the Gippsland Lakes
The Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration Program is rehabilitating 100 ha of degraded coastal marsh in Victoria. As part of the program, scientists are studying how low-cost on-ground actions (such as tidal reinstatement and fence installation) and positive changes in land use can enhance plant cover, carbon sink capacity, and biodiversity from degraded zones.
To achieve this, you will help our scientists to collect baseline data from a) healthy saltmarsh, and b) a degraded site that will soon be restored. You will learn sampling methods including plant cover, bird surveys, soil carbon stocks, and soil decomposition.
Join our citizen science workshop and field trip
More details about the citizen science day are provided below. You can register by filling out this form and emailing it to m.palacios@deakin.edu.au.
| Title: | Gippsland wetland citizen science program |
| Date & Time: | Friday. January 28, 2022
9 am – 3 pm |
| Meeting point: | Bond Street Event Centre
10 Bond St, Sale VIC 3850 |
| Fieldwork location | 494 Hollands Landing Rd, Meerlieu. 3862. *Transportation will be organised departing from Sale |
| Event Description:
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Become a scientist for a day and participate in coastal wetland research!
The Victorian Coastal Wetland Restoration program is rehabilitating 100 ha of degraded coastal marsh in Victoria. As part of the program, scientists are studying how low-cost on-ground actions (i.e. tidal reinstatement and fence installation) and positive changes in land use can enhance plant cover, carbon sink capacity and biodiversity from degraded zones. Join our team from the Blue Carbon Lab, Greening Australia, and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, to learn about coastal wetlands and how to monitor all the ecosystem service they provide. Field activities will include (1) identification of saltmarsh species, (2) survey of vegetation plots, (3) collection of soil samples for carbon stocks analysis, (4) deployment of tea bags to measure carbon decomposition, (5) bird surveys … Program 9 am – 10am. Introduction to coastal wetland and restoration research. 10 am – 10:30am. Travel to field site 10:30am – 2:30pm. Blue Carbon fieldwork in the Gippsland Lakes 2:30pm – 3:00pm. Return to Sale Lunch and transportation will be provided. All fitness levels welcome. The fieldtrip briefing provides instructions on how to prepare for the fieldwork (e.g. what to bring) and details of the research project and team of scientists. COVID-safe measures include:
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| Registration | Register to the Citizen Science day by emailing this registration form to m.palacios@deakin.edu.au. |
| Organiser
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Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab in partnership with Greening Australia and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. This program is funded by the Community Climate Change and Adaptation program from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Victoria (DELWP). |
