Ribbons of Blue/Waterwatch WA is a State-wide network aimed at:
- increasing awareness and understanding about local water quality
- taking action for a better environment
In the Swan Canning Catchment, the program is provided by the Swan River Trust.
The Trust Ribbons of Blue program is available to all schools in the Swan Canning Catchment, working with students from kindergarten to year 12.
This page includes information for teachers and students.
Information for teachers
Ribbons of Blue is a dynamic and flexible program and can be directly linked to the curriculum and integrated across all learning areas.
There are many resources and events available to assist learning.
Excursions
Ribbons of Blue officers are available to deliver excursions at your school’s local water body to undertake water quality testing, macroinvertebrate sampling, visual site assessments or other activities. Ribbons of Blue provides all the equipment. Classroom resources to compliment the excursion can also be provided. Students are not required to enter the water.
View the Ribbons of Blue excursion information statement (PDF).
Stormwater Snapshot
The Ribbons of Blue Stormwater Snapshot enables students to examine your school grounds as a mini catchment and identify activities that could be contributing to harmful stormwater runoff. Students will have the opportunity to investigate stormwater in their school and develop their own solutions to minimise any harm to our rivers.
Ribbons of Blue will provide materials, linked to the curriculum framework, to help your class:
- map school grounds and estimate the amount of runoff
- identify possible contaminants and examine where they may enter a waterway
- interview school cleaners and gardeners about their practices
- develop an action plan for cleaner stormwater
The project can be undertaken anytime during terms 2 or 3. Your Ribbons of Blue officer may be able to run excursions or incursions linked to the project, subject to availability.
A professional development session is usually held at the end of term 1 to provide teachers with information and resources to start the Snapshot in term 2.
State Ribbons of Blue competition
Macroinvertebrate Snapshot
The National Macroinvertebrate Snapshot event provides an opportunity for students to experience aquatic macroinvertebrates close up and gain a deeper understanding of their local waterbody. It is held the first three weeks of September.
Students sample and observe aquatic macroinvertebrates with the assistance of a Ribbons of Blue officer. Physical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity) can also be tested and a visual site assessment undertaken if desired. These observations, linked with knowledge of the area and surrounding land uses, can give an indication of the water quality at that particular time.
Early registration is a must as places fill up fast. Schools can nominate a water body for sampling or your Ribbons of Blue officer can assist in selecting one.
Catchment Activity Days
Catchment Activity Days focus education in the Trust’s priority catchments through an intense one-day event involving many students from many schools. Students attend as class groups and rotate through a series of activities relevant to keeping their catchment and river healthy.
Two Catchment Activity Days are held each year, rotating around the priority catchments. Schools will receive an invitation to participate in the term prior to the Catchment Activity Day being held in your area.
Resources for Loan
Primary Teacher Resource Kit
In February 2008, Ribbons of Blue launched the primary teacher resource kit – Ribbons of Blue: In and Out of the Classroom.
The kit includes a guide on how to plan a Ribbons of Blue program, information on the Swan Canning catchment, plus lesson plans, background notes, activity ideas, worksheets, and assessment tasks on:
catchments
history
land uses
climate, landforms and soil
water quality monitoring
habitats, fauna and macroinvertebrates
stormwater
groundwater
salinity
Lessons are fully linked to the curriculum framework and contain detailed preparation notes and step by step procedures.
The kit is available in hard copy or on CD. A kit is also available in university teaching libraries.
Teacher Learning workshops
Ribbons of Blue regularly holds teacher learning workshops. Topics include the primary teacher resource kit, macroinvertebrates, stormwater and catchments. Information on these workshops is generally communicated to all schools and included in the PD Diary on the DET website.
To make sure you are aware of upcoming workshops, contact Angela Hein on the details below.
Information for students
The Swan River Trust is a great place to find information to help with your assignment and classwork. If you can not find what you are looking for or have a specific question, contact the Ribbons of Blue officer and they may be able to assist.
Further information
If you would like to remain up to date with what is going on with Ribbons of Blue in the Swan Canning Catchment, you can subscribe to Ribbons of Blue News by contacting Angela Hein on the details below. Released at the beginning of each term, the newsletter includes articles on past and upcoming events, water-related community and school events, grant information and lots of other exciting bits and pieces.
Contact details
To get involved with Ribbons of Blue, contact Angela Hein, Swan Canning Catchment Ribbons of Blue officer, on 9278 0913 or angela.hein@dec.wa.gov.au