Project Description

The Project

Funded by Noosa Council, the project has been running since May 2005.  The Noosa Volunteer River Ranger Project is one of the many outcomes of the Noosa Catchment Management Strategy (July 2001).  Using NICA’s boat, the Volunteer River Rangers are  out on the river each week engaged in WaterWatch, River Watch, Sand Island Weeding and Bird Counts.

It is estimated that the dollar value of the volunteer’s time over the four streams amounts to $22,300, representing a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 300% on the original grant—a clear demonstration of the immense community value generated by our volunteer program.

NICA’s volunteers doing water testing at a site near the oyster reefs at Settler’s Cove.

Objectives

  • Provide NICA a presence on the river to facilitate various aspects of river management
  • Assist in the implementation of local, catchment and regional strategies
  • Provide information to facilitate education and awareness  on catchment, river, biodiversity, water quality , ecosystem health and fisheries
  • Provide assistance to institutional, government and industry based research
  • Identify environmental issues and potential project sites
  • Coordinate litter collection and assist with pollution control
  • Encourage a volunteer support base to assist the River Ranger either directly or indirectly through existing groups
  • Promote community discussion and participation

Volunteering

The Volunteer River Rangers venture out onto the river fortnightly to carry out water testing, clean ups and monitoring and notify relevant stakeholders on issues such as weed infestations and unsafe, abandoned and derelict vessels.

If you care about the Noosa River and love going out on the river, join our rangers’ team roster.  We are especially in need of people with a boat license and experience in boat operations, but it is not a requirement.  To become a volunteer please complete an Application for Membership, cost is $20 for single or $35 for a couple per financial year.

Sponsorship

This project is supported by a grant from Noosa Council.  Thanks to Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club for storing NICA’s boat.