River Journeys

River Journeys: An education resource on the past, present and future of rivers.

River Journeys is designed to stimulate upper primary and lower secondary classroom discussion about waterways, rivers and whole-of-catchment health.

River Journeys can inspire your students to ...

• Tap into memories of older generations and indigeneous Australians
• Create and record their own special experiences of creeks and rivers
• Construct a historical and ecological record of their local waterway
• Create a dance, song or story to celebrate a river and the communities it sustains.

Teaching and learning ideas

Select from a rich array of teaching and learning ideas designed around the following themes:

The past - a river story
These activities explore the past theme of rivers and assist students in constructing a historical and ecological record of their local river or creek. The activities are community based, with students interviewing older members of the community and researching local historical records.

The present - a river resort
These activities focus on assessing the present-day condition of a river or stream by conducting a habitat survey. The analogy of a resort is used to convey the importance of habitat for supporting river life. This section also introduces students to the concept of rating systems and benchmarking as important tools used in caring for the environment.

The future - a river festival
These activities explore the future theme of rivers. They focus on celebration and promotion - sharing and communicating our river experiences and journeys - as a way to ensure sustainability.

How to get a copy

Using the online form, you can order the River Journeys CD-ROM.

Or you can download a copy: River Journeys—the complete set (PDF, 3.45 MB)*

• Part 1, Introduction (PDF, 568 kB)*
• Part 2, Past (PDF, 860 MB)*
• Part 3, Present (PDF, 1.15 MB)*
• Part 4, Future (PDF, 1.2 MB)*

* Requires Acrobat Reader

If you experience problems downloading any of these documents please contact:

Natural Resource Sciences 
Department of Natural Resources and Water
Ph: 07 3896 9532
Email: waterwatch@nrw.qld.gov.au

Last updated 22 February 2008