Friends of River Street Wetlands
Friends of River Street Wetlands
A Friends group formed to restore and care for a wetland, with support from Corowa District Landcare Inc and a Local Land Services Riparian Restoration Grant.
Capacity to Deliver -
LEP_23-025_LLC03
The issue
River Street Wetlands is a storm water retention catchment area in Corowa, that filters water runoff from the residential areas before it reaches the Murray River. This wetland is a reserve for wildlife and is open to the local community with some walking trails. However, in recent years there has been an ingress of many weeds, including privet, figs and palms. The Corowa District Landcare Group and Friends of River Street Wetlands are the key drivers behind improving this urban wetland.
The solution
In 2022 a local resident identified the recreational and environmental potential of the site and the role a friends group could have in maintaining the site. A “Friends of River Street Wetlands” was formed in January 2023 to ensure the ongoing, long-term maintenance of this area. This group has regular working bees at the site. One of the first tasks of this group was the removal of rubbish. The wetland was affected by flooding late in 2022 and during this period lots of rubbish was washed into the area.
A Riparian Restoration Grant, supported by Local Land Services through funding from the NSW Government, allowed Corowa District Landcare, in partnership with Federation Council, to remove woody weeds. The grant also purchased tools for the volunteers to use and local plants for revegetation. The formation of the Friends Group ensures ownership and effective management/maintenance of the site.
The impact
The work of the Friends Group ensures maintenance of the wetland for wildlife. The Sloane’s froglet is a threatened species occurring only within wetlands in Corowa and Albury in NSW. Therefore, this species is of great importance to the local and regional area. Protecting the froglets habitat is very important for the species. The planting of 1,500 native plants has enhanced the habitat for birds.
Restoring and managing the wetland has created a great place within the town for people to visit and learn about the environment and local wildlife. Regular working bees, have the joint outcomes of protecting and enhancing this wetland area but also building social connectivity, as a cuppa is always part of the regular working bees.
Key facts
- Protecting habitat for the endangered Sloane’s froglet
- Building social connectivity
- Replacing introduced species with regional natives