Latest Newsletter available at: Surry Riverkeeper Newsletter
THE STORY SO FAR
While most of us would shoot off an email at least once every working day without bating an eyelid; have you ever stopped to consider the almighty power such a communication tool can have? Surry Riverkeeper Martin Boyer has and in 2004 he used this power as a strategic tool to raise awareness of the plight affecting the Surry Estuary in Narrawong, Victoria.
With many local residents lacking in a detailed knowledge of how an estuary works, and after a massive fish kill in 1999 followed by a devastating drought in 2004, Martin, a fifth generation Narrawong district farmer, was spurred on to take action to protect the Surry River and 10 kilometer long Estuary. He did this by setting up an electronic email newsletter called The Surry River Messenger.
After another major fish kill in 2005 in the Surry Estuary, Martin decided to take his desire to protect the river further. “An individual can only whisper, but a group has the power of a roar.” This could be the motto for the way that the Surry Riverkeeper group has lived by since their formation in October 2006.
The group’s five aims are to:
- Protect the Surry Estuary and maintain and restore it as a sustainable ecosystem
- Promote, to the community at large, the value of the Surry River as a sustainable ecosystem
- Encourage sustainable usage of the estuary consistent with environmental best practice
- Source funding to achieve the objectives of the association
- Raise awareness of the cultural and historical values of the estuary
PLAN FOR 2008
Martin, the group and his newsletter – having recently published its 23rd edition and now reaching a readership of over 400 people – have gone from strength to strength. Throughout 2007, the group has been active in educating the local community, especially school aged children, in how the river system works by working alongside the local Waterwatch Coordinator. Furthermore the group has been actively involved in regularly testing the quality of the water at key locations and by working with local authorities and farmers in the removal of the water hungry Willow trees and other invasive species that damage the estuary and surrounding waterways. This will continue into next year.
Recently the group received a grant from the Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority. During 2008 the Surry Waterkeeper group will put this to use by involving local schools in the replanting of vegetation and trees along the river banks. The group will also involve schools with the planting of trees during Arbour Week in early June and in Planet Ark National Tree Week in July.
GETTING INVOLVED:
To become a member of the Surry Riverkeeper contact Martin Boyer.
The cost of an annual membership is $25 for a family, $20 per single and $15 concession.
Or to receive your free monthly electronic Surry River messenger newsletter, just forward your e-mail address to the email below.
Surry Riverkeeper Newsletter
Contact:
Surry Riverkeeper
(Friends of the Surry Inc)
Martin Boyer - Vice President
0418 301 566
boyerm@westvic.com.au
68 The Esplanade
Narrawong VIC 3285
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