Thanks to Hunter Local Land Services, Hunter Region Landcare Network, and Dungog Commoners Landcare, students in Years 3-6 were treated to a rewarding field trip of water testing, and a hike along. Students learned how to collect a water sample and then had a go themselves, collecting samples from Common Creek and testing them for pH and turbidity. Both results were very good. The students also had a wonderful time dip netting for water bugs. The diversity and abundance was typically low for a winter waterbug sample, however the survey found very sensitive species including mayfly nymphs, and moderately sensitive bugs dragonfly nymph and freshwater shrimp, indicating very good water quality. The riparian zone was intact, well vegetated and the instream woody debris provided sheltered habitat.
Photo credit: Hunter Local Land Services