26/08/2026
🌿💧 Learning from the river, forest and everything in between!
A big thank you to the EYC group from Cultural Connections for joining NVT’s Rivers & Estuaries Programme Manager Lauren and Forest Programme Manager Rudi for a morning of exploring our interconnected river and forest systems.
Under their 'Water' theme, the group got to step into the roles of budding citizen scientists and discover how we can assess the health of a river by looking at a range of water parameters, as well as the tiny creatures that call the river home. And for our keen water adventurers, there was even a chilly opportunity to get into the river – with the water measuring a bracing 5.4°C!
While exploring the river edge, we also looked at the wonderful diversity of life in the forest – from trees of different shapes, sizes and species, to the birds calling from the canopy above – and how all these systems are connected. Each group with the goal to find as many different trees/plants as possible to wind a sweet prize!
Together, the groups achieved a miniSASS score of 6.87, indicating good river condition (few modifications). With clear water, good oxygenation and stable pH, it was fantastic to see such an abundance of aquatic life, particularly after the significant changes the Groot River experienced during the severe May–June floods.
The river may still be recovering, but seeing so much life already present gives us plenty of hope. 🌱 As the surrounding vegetation continues to recover, we’re excited to see what else returns and reveals itself.
Thank you EYC for spending the morning with us, asking questions, getting curious and connecting. We hope you left with a little more appreciation for the tiny bugs, big trees, birds, water and everything that connects them together!
