2023 was an exciting and productive year for Jessica Lumbroso, the Streamwatch and Local Landcare Coordinator for Greater Sydney Landcare.
In her role as Local Landcare Coordinator, Jess helped to build capacity, leverage funding and facilitate activities and events for Landcare volunteers and the community in Greater Sydney.
In her role as Streamwatch Coordinator, Jess enabled community groups to contribute to citizen science programs by monitoring the quality and health of their local waterways.
In 2023 Jessica led water quality improvement initiatives, engaged in community education, worked with Indigenous groups, and actively participated in citizen science events and activities. Her work fostered environmental awareness across Greater Sydney and engaged with all ages to promote nature conservation.
2023 Highlights
- Streamwatch partnered with the City of Canterbury Bankstown for a fun, informative workshop at Cup & Saucer Wetland, showcasing how wetlands can filter highly modified urban environments and improve water quality.
- Jess attended the Landcare NSW State Gathering in Coffs Harbour and presented on collaborative efforts between Streamwatch and NSW Waterwatch. Over 180 attended including the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW.
- Jess taught water quality sampling to 18-35-year-olds at the Youth Camp Out in Mulgoa.
- Jess helped stage the biennial Greater Sydney Landcare and Bushcare Forum and Awards which were held in Katoomba, in partnership with Greater Sydney Local Land Services. This event recognised and celebrated the hard work that over 150 Landcare and Bushcare volunteers contribute across Greater Sydney. It was also attended by the Member for Blue Mountains, Ms Trish Doyle MP.
- Streamwatch partnered with the Hawkesbury Nepean Waterkeepers Alliance to host 24 partner groups and stakeholders at a Microplastics Cleanup by kayak and water quality monitoring day at South Creek.
- Jess represented Streamwatch at the ‘Trees in the House’ event hosted by the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare, and met with the Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage.
- Jess ran water quality monitoring training sessions and attended tree plantings throughout the year with various schools and community groups, including Carlingford West Public School, Seven Hills High School, Katoomba High School, and Katoomba Primary.
A Streamwatch Kit is a tool for monitoring water quality. Jess provides these to interested community groups, along with training on how to use them. This empowers the community to actively monitor their local waterways and fosters environmental connection and stewardship.
- Jess celebrated Biodiversity Day by planting out a biofilter for Blue Mountains City Council, to protect and enhance waterways across our urban landscape.
- Streamwatch led a waterbug collection demonstration and provided community education at Biodiversity Discovery Day at Wentworth Falls Lake.
- Jess ran workshops and demonstrations at the Youth Eco Summit (YES) run by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Jess highlighted the importance of water quality monitoring and environmental conservation to 2,640 kids from 33 schools across Sydney—inspiring the next generation to become environmental stewards.
- Jess featured on the Big Shift for Small Farms podcast, discussing ‘Citizen Science helping to inform natural resource management’.
- Jess assisted Katoomba Primary’s Whole School Planting Day to successfully plant a Bush Tucker Garden.
- Streamwatch supported the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper Alliance 4th Annual Forum.
- Streamwatch participated in the ‘Painted Rivers Project’ – a collaboration with Western Sydney University, Blue Mountains City Council Aboriginal team, and high school students for a waterbug workshop and river art exhibition.
- Streamwatch took part in the Sutherland Environmental Centre’s Waterbug Blitz event.
- Jess attended the Australian Citizen Science Association Conference and presented a workshop on connecting catchment-related networks with the National Waterwatch Network. Her efforts aimed to strengthen collaborative citizen science initiatives and advocate for funding to support these crucial programs.
- Supported the launch of Junior Landcare’s ‘Creating a Yarning Circle’ initiative, alongside Costa Georgiadis, host of ABC’s ‘Gardening Australia’.
Strengthening Streamwatch Support
Late in 2023, Greater Sydney Landcare welcomed a new team member to support Jess – Mark Secombe came onboard as a Streamwatch Coordinator.
Engaging the Community in Conservation
In 2023, Jess’s work as Streamwatch and Local Landcare Coordinator grew community engagement in water and land conservation efforts across Greater Sydney. As we reflect on the year’s achievements, we look forward to inspiring more individuals to join the cause and nurture a sustainable, thriving environment for generations to come.
For more detailed updates and event information, visit Streamwatch Sydney’s Facebook page.
