We recognise how important it is to educate and engage people about water for the environment and the vital role it plays in maintaining and improving the health of our rivers, wetlands and floodplains. This includes the plants and animals that depend on these waterways.
We have developed these education resources, some in partnership with other organisations, to support students, teachers and parents in their learning and teaching.
There are also resources suitable for a general audience who want to find out more about water for the environment.
High school students
These resources have been created to support teachers and senior students learn about aquatic ecosystems, water for the environment and how it is used and managed:
- Rivers: Sharing our water Teacher resource – teacher resource for Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7, 8, 9 and 10) geography and science
- Rivers: Sharing our water Student workbook – student workbook to accompany teacher resource.
Primary school students
These resources have been developed to help primary school students (Stages 1–3 or kindergarten to Years 5–6) and teachers learn about plants and animals that live in our waterways and how important water is to their survival:
- River Champions colouring poster (PDF 11MB)
- Wild wetlands colouring sheet (PDF 211KB) – a colouring sheet for Stage 1 to any age
- Water for the Environment find-a-word (PDF 112KB) – take a journey through the rivers and wetlands of inland NSW. Find all 55 words and mark them off the list.
- The Southern Bell Frog Story – a colouring book for Stage 1 to any age
- Bittern or Bust – an interactive game about the endangered Australasian bittern.
Learning for everyone
Listen to the River Champions podcasts to learn more about the impacts of water for the environment on the health of NSW waterways. Hosted by NSW Water for the Environment, the podcasts feature guests sharing their knowledge of the different ways in which healthy waterways are important for New South Wales.
- Gulpa Wetlands: stories of culture, conservation and collaboration – embark on a captivating journey as we explore the culturally and environmentally significant Gulpa Creek wetlands in southwest New South Wales.
- Paika Lake: reviving a wetland, restoring life – explore the remarkable restoration of Paika Lake wetlands in New South Wales, which now hosts a thriving ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife.
- Whittaker's Lagoon: a hidden oasis – explore the cultural and ecological significance of this hidden gem nestled in the middle of cotton plains in the Moree region.
Watch video of environmental water in action
Macquarie Marshes: environmental outcomes of the 2016–17 floods