Australian wetlands and waterways have undergone intensive modification and regulation since European colonisation. Natural processes and ecology have been altered at various scales having long term repercussions for both localised and highly mobile waterbird populations that have evolved life histories that rely on dynamic wetting and drying periods. As Melbourne’s urban edge expands into new areas, so do pressure on wetland birds. However, the predictable use, manipulation and even creation of many wetlands in urban landscapes affords us the ability manage accordingly based on conservation priorities. To do so effectively relies not only on robust biological data but community support. The reliability afforded by urban wetlands has enabled them to continue to support significant populations of threatened species including the Australasian Bittern (EN) and Curlew Sandpiper (CE).

Birdlife has been working closely with Melbourne Water since 2013 to monitor waterbirds at nearly 200 priority wetlands in the region to 1) Assess their condition; 2) Assist in identifying priority areas within Healthy Waterway planning periods; 3) Identify threatened species and critical habitat; and 4) Report on Ramsar performance criteria.

This work has been made possible by an army of committed citizen scientists. Although highly experienced and valued; representation within this community has been biased towards certain demographics which are not representative of our diverse community and include an aging cohort. To effectively contribute to ongoing management and better engage communities under-represented in conservation planning, this project seeks to engage and train citizen scientists in ethnically diverse communities about local wetland values and monitoring methods.

Language diverse resources will be developed to train observers in wetland bird identification and survey methods. For those not capable of contributing on ground (due to health or transport restrictions), opportunities to contribute from home by processing remote camera or audio recording data will be made available.