Murray–Darling Basin Authority, Media Release, 24 September 2023

Citizen scientists are being called to swap their backyards for a local waterway by joining a wave of volunteers across the Murray–Darling Basin to help with conservation efforts.

The spring sampling season of the Great Australian Wildlife Search, delivered by Odonata Foundation, has started. It uses innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to gain insights into where threatened species are found at select sites across the Basin’s waterways.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has financially supported collections at the first 420 sampling sites in this round, so testing is free for participants. This saves citizen scientists $400 in testing costs at each location.

MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville and Odonata Foundation Chief Executive Sam Marwood were onsite at Casuarina Sands on the Murrumbidgee River near Canberra to show how easy it is to take part.

“This sampling will help map the distribution of aquatic species across the region which will then help protect the most significant ecological communities,” Mr McConville said.

“We need people power to make this a success and hope that individuals and groups from across the Basin will do their bit to help give us a comprehensive picture of the health of our waterways so we can help ensure we have healthy, functioning rivers for generations.”

Mr Marwood explained that in 2021 the Victorian phase of the Great Australian Wildlife Search played a crucial role in the conservation of 42 threatened species.

“eDNA technology works by collecting and analysing just a few samples of water, which allows the detection of traces of DNA that wildlife shed into their environment,” Mr Marwood said…