By Siwan Lovett
Join social ecologist and river restoration expert Dr. Siwan Lovett in conversations about the ideas, issues and opportunities that relate to our connections with nature and each other. This podcas
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The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.
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What if your pet fish could wreak havoc on Australia's ecosystems? Turns out, that's precisely what they'll do if they end up in our waterways.
In today's episode, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with freshwater fish biologist Dr Mariah Millington, who reveals the surprising capacity for non-native pet fish to damage and degrade Australia's freshwater ecosystems, and particularly the native fish that live within them. Discover how to best dispose of dead pet fish, how common goldfish and other popular pet species can grow to alarming sizes and cause severe ecological damage when released, Mariah's undercover research into forums and marketplaces on the Deep web, and some of the specific species which pose significant ecological risks to Australian native fish, whose populations are already estimated to be less than 10% of their pre-colonisation numbers.
Mariah pulls back the curtain on the underground world of illegal fish trade and the challenges in regulating this thriving online market. You'll be intrigued by the prevalence of pet fish in Australian households and the secretive subculture of basement breeders who bypass legal regulations through platforms like Facebook and Gumtree. From the complexities of transporting fish over long distances to the hidden layers of the web where these transactions occur, our conversation uncovers the dark side of the pet fish industry and the ecological risks it poses.
The threats don't stop there—Tilapia and other invasive fish species are making alarming inroads into Australia's waterways. Tilapia in particular continue to head further south. Learn about the reproductive strategies that make tilapia particularly dangerous and the potential for hybridization to increase their invasive potential. Mariah discusses the importance of public education, biosecurity measures, and promoting native fish conservation initiatives.
This episode is a compelling call to action for protecting our native fish populations and the ecosystems they depend on.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
Ever wondered what a platypus eats, how to remember native plant names, or what it takes to bring a river back to life? Today, ARRC Director Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with Jed Pearson from the Rivers of Carbon team to answer some of these questions.
Jed has journeyed from Armidale to the ACT and his dedication to conservation through Waterwatch and Rivers of Carbon has only grown as he has learned on and cared for Country. We dive deep into the importance of riparian zones and the various vegetation layers that contribute to a thriving ecosystem, tackling erosion strategies and a case study on the Gudgenby River in the ACT. Jed explains the challenges of planting vegetation for erosion control and the importance of understanding local flora. We also explore plant identification techniques that, despite sometimes frustrating botanical names, help ensure high survival rates for the vegetation planted. This chapter serves as a valuable guide for those looking to mitigate erosion with site-specific approaches and expert consultation.
Lastly, we journey into the fascinating world of macroinvertebrates and their critical role in waterway health. Through the Rivers of Carbon project and Waterwatch program, we underscore the importance of accessible information and citizen science in monitoring water quality. Jed shares how these tiny creatures act as keystone species and indicators, vital to the diets of platypuses and overall ecosystem health. Jed also shares some very amusing ways to remember tricky species names!
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
In 2019, the Upper Murrumbidgee River at Tharwa ran dry. Under a burning, smoky sky, flow stopped entirely, and the riverbed was visible except for a few algae-choked pools. This came as a shock for local residents who rely on the river for their water supply, and inspired Andy Lowes to write a letter to Canberrans on behalf of the river. Fast forward to today, and The Forgotten River campaign coordinated by Andy and Dr. Siwan Lovett at the Australian River Restoration Centre has achieved some big wins for the river, including a combined $50 million dollar funding agreement reached between ACT Independent Senator David Pocock and the Albanese Government. The Upper Murrumbidgee still needs more water — Tantangara Dam currently captures between 90% and 99% of its headwaters — but these are big steps towards the rehabilitation of a troubled riparian system.
In this timely and important podcast episode, Australian River Restoration Centre Director Dr Siwan Lovett sits down with Dr Maxine Cooper, Chair of the ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordinating Committee, and Andy Lowes, Chair of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Network, to discuss what has changed since parts of the river dried up in 2019; what the new funding may mean for the river; and what can happen when small group of dedicated, passionate people come together.
This conversation is inspiring, insightful, and a testament to the shared love held by those on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, and other traditional Countries, for the Upper Murrumbidgee.
Visit The Forgotten River to learn more about the Upper Murrumbidgee and how you can support this beautiful waterway.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
In today's conversation, Siwan sits down with Callum Edwards from the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Jayden Woolley of the Wadawarrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to discuss the significance and effectiveness of mentoring, why it matters, and why it was the right fit for them. Callum and Jayden are both alumni of the 2023 Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program, and share their experiences being a mentor / mentee, respectively, for the first time.
This conversation delves into some of the funny and unexpected moments from the Program, and touches on why Siwan is committed to mentoring as a pathway towards effective waterway, riparian and natural resource management. Callum and Jayden share valuable insight about how their experiences surprised them and helped them to grow, both professionally and personally.
Read Callum and Jayden's Mentoring Story here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/callum-jayden-enhancing-estuary-management-through-mentoring/
Learn more about the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/our-program/
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
Siwan talks with Henry Cooper, Project Officer for Land and Catchment Health at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, and Matt Bowler, Manager of Project Delivery at the West Gippsland CMA about their experience as mentee and mentor, respectively, in the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program. Siwan, Matt and Henry discuss the value of having a mentor or mentee by your side; the ways in which the program challenged and surprised them; and how their mentoring experience has impacted their work after the program. They also discuss the challenge of willow removal, details about the Woady Yaloak system, and what drives them to do what they do.
Read Matt & Henry's mentoring story here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/matt-henry-drought-refuges-in-the-woady-yaloak/.
Find out more about the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
On a crisp Friday morning by the banks of the Cotter river in January 2024, Siwan sat down with Senator David Pocock, the ACT's first independent senator and environmental advocate, to discuss what drives him and what he cares about; his journey towards and inside the world of politics and government; his life growing up in Zimbabwe and career in professional rugby, and more. This is a reflective and insightful conversation, one which reveals a down-to-earth and honest man who deeply cares about the environment we call home.
Siwan and David also discuss the Upper Murrumbidgee, or 'The Forgotten River' — a stretch of river left behind by Federal and NSW water management reforms. As a result, between 90% and 99% of the headwaters of the Murrumbidgee is captured by the Snowy Hydro Scheme each year, which leads to crises like in 2019 when the river almost entirely dried up except for a few algae-choked pools.
The ARRC has been raising awareness about the Forgotten River for a couple of years, and those efforts were rewarded in November 2023 when an agreement was reached between the Albanese Government and Senator Pocock, which ensured a combined $50m of funding for the health of the river, as well as reviews of key legislative documents regarding the regulation of the Upper 'Bidgee. This was a great success for the health of the river and a collaborative effort across the board. The Upper Murrumbidgee still needs more water, but we are hopeful that this agreement sets in motion the ability for these flows to be provided in future years.
Check out the episode show notes: https://arrc.au/senator-david-pocock-being-part-of-a-larger-story/
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
In today's episode, Siwan sits down with Australia's Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), Dr. Simon Banks, to talk about his love of nature, his experience delivering eWater, and what it's like to be the CEWH. This conversation covers Dr. Banks' journey so far, some elements of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, whether Australia is a world-leader in environmental water management, and more.
Dr. Banks has been the CEWH for over 12 months and manages water for the environment on behalf of the Australian Government to support the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. Simon has held senior positions in several departments, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, New Zealand Department of Conservation, and the NSW and Queensland governments. Simon holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (coastal management), a Master of Applied Science from Southern cross University and a Doctor of Philosophy (biological sciences and decision support) from The University of Queensland. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
Siwan speaks with Dr. Wayne Koster of the Arthur Rylah Institute, at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, to talk native fish recovery and research. Wayne leads research projects on native fish ecology and conservation across Victoria and more broadly in south-eastern Australia. The focus of much of Wayne’s recent work has been on the movement and spawning ecology and conservation implications for riverine fishes, particularly the development of flow regimes for fish in regulated rivers. He also does some fascinating work monitoring and tracking eels in our rivers and oceans.
View this episode's show notes at https://arrc.au/dr-wayne-koster-episode-25
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
In today's episode, Siwan talks with Richard Swain, a Dabee man of the Wiradjuri nation and a river adventure guide (Alpine River Adventures) in the Snowy Mountains, in Kozciuszko National Park. Richard grew up learning the history of the Australian landscape from his father, and his grandfather taught him how Aboriginal peoples moved through and respected country. Richard has a long history of volunteering on local environmental and community projects and has a first-hand understanding of the huge impact feral animals have on Australia’s natural environment. Richard is an ambassador for the Invasive Species Council, helping to raise the profile of the role of Indigenous peoples in caring for Country and protecting it from invasive species. His life is now dedicated to protecting the environment from the impacts of modern society.
Content Warning: This conversation includes a description of a massacre of Aboriginal people from 17:00 - 17:26 that may be of concern for some listeners.
This conversation covers a wide range of topics, ranging from Richard's experience with advocacy, the problem with the culture of modern Australia, and how indigenous and non-indigenous Australians can move forward together towards a lore of restoration — as Richard puts it, "Country is crying out for good people". It's a hard-hitting conversation at points, but one which provokes us and challenges us to improve, for the sake of Country and for ourselves.
To view this episode's show notes, visit https://arrc.au/country-is-crying-out-for-good-people-with-richard-swain-episode-23.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!
Regenerative Agriculture is revolutionising Australia's agriculture industry, and for good reason. Today, The Australian River Restoration's Managing Director Siwan Lovett sits down with Australia's foremost Regenerative Agriculture pioneer, Dr. Charles Massy, to discuss his life’s work, his experience implementing Regenerative Agriculture (Regen Ag) on his farm, Severn Park, and some of his recent work on the Snowy River.
Dr. Charles Massy is a Monaro woolgrower, scientist, and renowned author. He is a passionate pioneer in, and expert on, regenerative agriculture and is the author of several books on the topic, including 2017’s Call of the Reed Warbler, a book which explores the vital connection between our soil and our health, and The Last Dragon, a children's book about the endangered Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon, illustrated by Mandy Foot and featuring an essay on the Dragon written by Charles. Both of these books are discussed in today's episode.
Charles has been farming Merino sheep at Severn Park for over 40 years and received the Order of Australia Medal for his service to the wool industry as chair and director of several research organisations and wool boards (2011). He has also been the recipient of the Sydney Power House Museum's Distinguished Service Award for his work on their Wool and Pastoral Collection (2008), and received the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders' Silver Medal for his contribution to the Australian Merino and wool industry (1992). He has served on national and international review panels in sheep and wool research and development, and genomics.
Show notes: https://arrc.au/podcast-take-me-to-the-river/country-speaks-with-charles-massy-episode-22/
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
🎙️ Listen to our other episodes: https://arrc.au/podcast/
🌱 Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au
Take Me to the River is an Australian River Restoration Centre podcast production, hosted by Dr. Siwan Lovett and produced by Chris Walsh, with support from the rest of the ARRC Team. ✨
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we work, learn, and live. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights and connections to the waterways we love and care for. 🖤💛❤️
The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.
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