Two years running and the Swan River Trust’s River Guardians program now boasts 780 members and a host of successful events held including planting days, frog finding workshops and indigenous cultural events.
Perhaps more successful has been the increased profile of the River Guardians’ mascot Jon the Swan who features on the Trust Facebook and Twitter sites, and at many events.
Highlights of the past two years include the launch of the popular Dolphin Watch project, which trains members to monitor the Swan Canning Riverpark’s dolphin population.
River Guardians Program Manager Marnie Giroud said it had been an exciting two years.
“It has been awesome to see how much Perth people love their rivers and our mascot Jon the Swan,” she said.
“River Guardians are our eyes on the rivers and we aim to share the message that everyone can do their bit to help keep our rivers healthy.
“The Dolphin Watch project in particular has blown me away; the interest and passion people have for these iconic creatures is incredible with more than 100 trained Dolphin Watchers feeding into research by Murdoch and Curtin universities.”
Actively engaging the Perth community to protect the Swan Canning Riverpark was the philosophy behind the River Guardians program when it launched in June 2008.
Membership stood at 75 Honorary River Guardians and expectations were high, with the program the first of its kind in Western Australia. The River Guardians program gives members access to free, fun river events as well opportunities to network with others and volunteer in river restoration and training activities.
For more information on becoming a River Guardian contact the Trust on 9278 0900, guardians@swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au or visit https://www.riverguardians.com/.