Working with local environmental charity OzGREEN, they will focus on turtle habitat in the river upstream from Lavenders Bridge. 

“Young people will become citizen scientists and conduct a detailed investigation into river health,” OzGREEN CEO Sue Lennox said.

“This is the fourth river health snapshot conducted by OzGREEN and local schools … and the results of the 2011, 2012 and 2014 MYRiveR projects were disturbing.”

Sue said previous data revealed 75 per cent of sites showed moderate to severe degradation of riparian zone, and 75 per cent of sites showing high phosphate and low dissolved oxygen levels.

In 2014 the young people involved in MYRiveR were concerned about the health of their river, and organised the Festival for Our Future at Northbank Community Garden, to raise community awareness about river health.

“About 500 people came to that event,” Sue said. “They came to support local youth and listen to them … and six months later the turtle tragedy hit the Bellingen community like a hurricane.”

In February 2015, a number of distressed and dying turtles were found by canoeists on the Bellinger River. A mysterious virus swept through the turtle population, wiping out most adults.

The Bellinger River snapping turtle, which only exists in a 25-kilometre stretch of the Bellinger River, is now classified as critically endangered. 

“The community has a key role to play in bringing the turtles back from the brink,” Sue said.

“It is critical that we restore river health and riparian habitat to maximise the chance of the remaining juveniles in the river to grow to reproductive age. 

“A healthy river is key to the survival of the turtles. It is up to us to restore river health.”

OzGREEN has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to support community participation in bringing the snapping turtle back from the brink. 

“We are delighted by the support we have received from local businesses and the community. With $2799 raised to date we are past half way to our September fundraising target,” Sue said.

“OzGREEN will be actively involved in the upcoming Turtlefest. Come and chat to us at The Pond, and the people involved in MYRiveR will present their findings and plans too.”

A youth-run Riverhealth Community Forum at 1pm on Friday, September 23, at the Youth Hub.

For further information contact OzGREEN 6655 2180 or email jgrant@ozgreen.org.au or to donate www.chuffed.org/project/save-the-bellinger-river-snapping-turtle