
Extreme low flows are pushing refuge pools to their limits. Heat, sediment, salinity and stock impacts are degrading water quality and threatening native fish. This article outlines what’s causing it and practical steps we can take to protect our waterways.

Courtesy of the Refreshing Upper Billabong project, we have a limited number of tubestock suitable for planting both instream and along creek banks to reduce erosion and create habitat.

We lacked information on the aquatic wildlife of the Upper Billabong catchment, so using Citizen Science - the Refreshing Rivers iNaturalist project and eDNA tests, we have gathered 1,672 observations across the catchment and also completed 9 eDNA profiles in local waterways.

Let's get our hands dirty and prepare wetland plants onto growth mats! We do this to prepare them to be replanted into rivers and streams, to improve the health of our waterways.

Take part in the Platy-project and you’ll help researchers understand more about this elusive animal, and how we can better protect it..

We're hosting an introduction session to virtual fencing technology! Come and learn about virtual fencing, the pros and cons of the technology, and hear from one of the technology providers, Halter and a farmer in the early stages of adoption.

A new chain of hotels has just been established in Tumut, but their guests will be fish!

We have been working with the Brungle Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) within the Riverina Highlands. Take a look at the recent activities that have been undertaken and the resulting impact on the local environment to improve the health and biodiversity of waterways.

Local ecologist, Dan Hutton, had students looking at life up close with the prolific Australian glass shrimp. These Species provide a vital food source for our native fish. Eastern long necked turtled joined the show, learning how to differentiate male from female by looking at the underbelly.

The latest carp electrofishing and removal event on April 17, 2025, has once again shown the success of the ROAR case study project in reducing invasive fish populations in Billabong Creek, Conargo, as part of the wider Refreshing Rivers Program.

On March 27th, 2025, Boys to the Bush teamed up with Murrumbidgee Landcare’s Jessie McPherson and YACTAC’s Andrea Mitchell for a fun and hands-on citizen science event at the top of Yanco Creek, near Euroley.

Let's get our hands dirty and prepare wetland plants onto growth mats! We do this to prepare them to be replanted into rivers and streams, to improve the health of our waterways.

Take part in the Platy-project and you’ll help researchers understand more about this elusive animal, and how we can better protect it..

We're hosting an introduction session to virtual fencing technology! Come and learn about virtual fencing, the pros and cons of the technology, and hear from one of the technology providers, Halter and a farmer in the early stages of adoption.

European carp (Cyprinus carpio) uproot vegetation, degrade habitat and reduce water quality, competing with native species for food and space. Come along to help us remove some of these carp from our local waterway.

Join the Refreshing Rivers team and Landcare under the clear, unspoilt night skies for an evening celebrating the beauty and importance of our nocturnal environment.

An instream planting event occurred in early November at Conargo TSR. Past Central Billabong environmental action has been about securing water and willow removal. Planting for purpose and instream restoration is being showcased as methods to use broadly.

YACTAC and Refreshing Rivers were at the Jerilderie Fishing Club’s Kids Fishing Day supporting a creative activity with a waterway theme. The chosen focus species was the eel-tailed catfish.

Citizen science afternoon at Colombo Creek, Morundah, looking for the elusive platypus with YACTAC and Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc.

Photo credit: David Smith, Sustainable Farms ANU
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Join the Friends of Ian Geddes Bush Reserve. Everyone is welcome! We meet once a month to look after the Ten Mile Creek and Ian Geddes Bush Reserve in Holbrook. Bring something to share for afternoon tea and have a cuppa.

Join us for a Working Bee at Ian Geddes Reserve - Sunday 10th August 10 am - 12 pm

Holbrook Landcare and helpful volunteers have been busy putting up new nest boxes for Gliders at the Ian Geddes Reserve, Holbrook. Read more about the works undertaken, and how you too can build your very own wildlife nest box.

You may have noticed a lot has been happening at the Ian Geddes Reserve in Holbrook. Learn more about the recent works undertaken to improve waterway health and create habitat for Southern Pygmy Perch at the local reserve, as well as nest box installation and an upcoming working bee.

Be part of the Refreshing Rivers Program in the Upper Billabong, and join Holbrook Landcare Network for a family-friendly morning in nature as we care for the beautiful Ian Geddes Reserve along Ten Mile Creek.

David Bray and Louise Freckleton are stewards of Highfield Farm and Woodland, a 335 Ha property near Adelong in the eastern Riverina. Highfield blends conservation of critically endangered Box‑gum grassy woodland with a small‑scale paddock‑to‑plate enterprise and a thriving ecotourism operation.

Waterways such as creeks, rivers, wetlands and riparian corridors are biodiversity hotspots. Many species relying on these areas are highly vulnerable to feral cat predation.

Join the Refreshing Rivers team and Landcare under the clear, unspoilt night skies for an evening celebrating the beauty and importance of our nocturnal environment.

The Refreshing Rivers project is offering a pilot project to deliver low-cost waterway solutions for landholders on the Yaven Creek.

Through the Refreshing Rivers Program, we are looking for landholders with farm dams, gravel pits or wetlands, who are interested in establishing refuge "arks" for this rare species of fish.

Please get in touch by emailing info@refreshingrivers.com.au

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