The environmental importance of the Hawkesbury-Nepean’s wetlands will be placed firmly in the spotlight at a special community forum in Richmond next month.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Wetlands Forum 2026 will be held at Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Campus on Friday, September 4, from 2pm to 5pm.
Organised by the Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network, the free event will bring together students, teachers, parents, Landcare volunteers, environmental groups and interested residents for an afternoon devoted to understanding, celebrating and protecting local wetlands.
The forum will also host the final presentations and awards for the 2026 Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Schools Wetlands Challenge.
Schools adopt local wetlands
Schools participating in the challenge have adopted a wetland within their local government area and investigated why it should be named the Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network’s “Wetland of the Year”.
Students have been asked to examine their chosen wetland through three broad criteria:
- knowing the wetland through research and connections with local environmental groups;
- supporting it through citizen science, Landcare activities and education; and
- sharing its story with the school and wider community.
Participating schools will present their findings in formats including presentations, posters and videos.
Judges will announce first, second and third place, together with the winning 2026 Wetland of the Year.
The challenge encourages students to move beyond learning about wetlands in the classroom by investigating the condition, wildlife, threats and conservation needs of an actual local site.
More than swamps
Wetlands include much more than areas commonly described as swamps.
They are places that are permanently or seasonally flooded or saturated with water and can include rivers, floodplains, marshes, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, mangroves and peatlands.
Artificial wetlands such as frog ponds, fishponds and constructed water-treatment areas can also provide important habitat.
Across the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment, wetlands support birds, frogs, fish, reptiles, mammals, insects and plant communities. They provide breeding and feeding areas, store water and can help filter sediment and pollutants.
Wetlands also form an integral part of the Hawkesbury floodplain, temporarily holding water and connecting different habitats during floods.
Despite their importance, many local wetlands face pressure from weeds, altered drainage, pollution, development, erosion, sediment, introduced animals and changing water flows.
Understanding the condition of local wetlands
A major assessment previously commissioned through the Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network examined 30 wetlands in the Hawkesbury and five in The Hills.
The study considered 44 different indicators, including water quality, soils, surrounding vegetation, habitat features, biodiversity and threats.
Each site received a condition assessment and recommended management actions for landholders and community groups.
The work demonstrated considerable differences between local wetlands, ranging from sites retaining significant environmental values to heavily modified areas requiring sustained restoration.
It also highlighted the value of long-term information. Wildlife sightings and water-quality measurements taken during one visit provide only a snapshot and need to be considered alongside continuing monitoring.
Community conservation
The September forum is being organised with the involvement of environmental education networks associated with Hawkesbury, Penrith, The Hills and Blacktown councils.
Local councils, volunteers and community organisations are expected to conduct educational sessions covering wetlands, litter prevention and conservation programs.
The event’s community focus recognises that many wetlands are located on, or surrounded by, privately owned land. Their protection often depends on cooperation between landholders, schools, government agencies, scientists and volunteers.
Landcare groups can help connect those participants by arranging research, training, planting, weed control, citizen-science projects and restoration work.
For young people, the forum provides an opportunity to demonstrate that conservation is not restricted to distant national parks or major environmental campaigns.
It can begin with investigating a nearby creek, lagoon, floodplain depression or frog pond and sharing that knowledge with others.
Event details
What: Hawkesbury-Nepean Wetlands Forum 2026
When: Friday, September 4, from 2pm to 5pm
Where: Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Bourke Street, Richmond
Cost: Free, but registration is requested
Who can attend: Students, teachers, parents, volunteers and interested community members
Afternoon tea, tea and coffee will be provided.
The precise meeting location within the university campus was still to be confirmed at the time of publication. Registered participants should check the event listing for updated directions before attending.
Free registration is available through the official Eventbrite listing.
