Regional Youth Investment Program: Our Region, Our Voice.

The Regional Youth Investment Program saw young people restoring river health and wildlife habitats across the Murray-Darling Basin, supported by the OzFish/Landcare NSW partnership.

Participants planted trees along waterways, built fish hotels for threatened species, restored wetlands, collected rubbish, and designed and implemented a litter prevention project for their local rivers.

By the program's completion in 2024, 1,871 participants from Dubbo, Moree, and the Sunraysia region had engaged in the OzFish youth program. This included youth from organisations and schools such as Boys to the Bush, Peel High School, James Sheahan Catholic College, Skillset Senior College, Miyay Birray Youth Services, and Boggabilla Central School.

Events featured a range of activities led by OzFish staff and volunteers, including discussions on fish biology and river ecology, bush regeneration techniques to enhance habitats for native species, and removing illegally dumped rubbish from environmentally sensitive areas.

These hands-on activities provided invaluable opportunities for young people to connect with nature, make a tangible impact and contribute to improving their environment. OzFish also collaborated closely with Indigenous and First Nations organisations throughout this program, embracing the profound knowledge gained from these partnerships, which often surpassed what OzFish aimed to share.

This project was made possible by the Regional Youth Investment Program, the OzFish-Landcare NSW partnership, and the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust – Driving Fish Habitat Action, with funding support from the Australian Government through the One Basin CRC Program and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.