Water Quality Tester – Volunteer Opportunity
Passionate about the health of our rivers, creeks and wetlands?
Our Acton campus is situated with Sullivans Creek flowing across the campus from the northern suburbs of Canberra to Lake Burley Griffin. We are seeking a volunteer to help monitor the water quality of the Creek to support our Environmental Management Plan and ACT Government with data to understand the impact the surrounding ecosystems have on the water passing through campus.
ANU Green is the University’s operational program seeking to improve our environmental sustainability efforts across our campuses. We offer a range of ways to get involved on our campus and contribute to our Environmental Management Plan.
Many of these programs are registered with ANU+, so students can have their contributions recognised on their academic transcript. Find more information about ANU+.
There is one volunteer opportunity available through ANU+, see the below for more information. These volunteer positions may be filled quickly. If a position is filled but you are interested in volunteering with ANU Green, register your interest for future opportunities.
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As a water quality tester you will help us test Sullivans Creek by measuring key water quality parameters by:
- Conducting monthly testing at three sites along the Creek for dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, Nitrate, Phosphorus and Turbidity
- Report on the water quality of Sullivans Creek prior to, during, and after the 2024/2025 regeneration project on campus.
- Uploading your findings to ACT Waterwatch via their website, and sharing your findings with the ANU Green and Landscape and Conversation teams in the ANU Facilities and Services Division.
- Make a difference: This opportunity directly contributes to the health and sustainability of Sullivans Creek by providing important data during a 2024/2025 regeneration project on campus.
- Learn and grow: Gain hands-on experience in environmental monitoring and data analysis.
- Flexible commitment: Commit to 5 hours per month across the three testing sites. It is recommended the volunteer commit to a 12 month duration, but the opportunity can be extended to ongoing for the length of the program if the volunteer is interested.
- An interest in sustainability issues impacting the University
- Proficiency with Microsoft programs
- Willingness to learn new computer systems
Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Register your interest to assist water quality testing on campus.
Don't have spare time to volunteer with the above opportunities but looking for other wants to help reduce our environmental impact across all our emissions sources? Join and encourage others to join the ANU One Small Step program which makes sustainability activities fun, easy and accessible to everyone. The app speaks directly to our community with easy and fun ways to act more sustainably. You can also join the ANU Green Network, online resource for staff to hear about the latest in environmental sustainability at ANU, including a second-hand furniture channel. ANUSA has also helped start a Buy Nothing ANU Facebook group for students and staff to reduce waste going to landfill.