Will talks about the endangered Dwarf Mountain Pine, a true living fossil, in this video by Kalani Gacon.
Thanks to generous funding from the NSW Saving Our Species program, Council is undertaking extensive catchment protection works to safeguard the Dwarf Mountain Pine.
Story by Linda Moon
A cadetship with the Healthy Waterways Team at Blue Mountains City Council has helped 23-year-old Will Goodwin pursue a passion for helping wildlife and nature.
Key Points:
Many children dream of working with wildlife. Will Goodwin went on to make his dream a reality.
Citizen science and volunteering is another way to get involved.
Will says hope, working together, and focusing on your circle of influence is the key to making a difference.
Growing up in Faulconbridge, 23-year-old Will Goodwin spent a lot of his childhood in the bush. Two incidents in particular had an impact on him. At age eight, he had his first glimpse of a Giant Spiny Crayfish down at Hazelbrook Creek. The moment was one of awe. “At the time I didn’t know they were endangered,” he recalled. Tragically, in 2023 the population was decimated by contamination of the waterway with the pesticide Bifenthrin.
After his HSC, Will’s mother took him on a life-changing road trip to the Outback. In Menindee they heard news of a major fish death event affecting the Darling River. “That’s when I realised how important water is,” Will said.
Will also observed how much lushness and life existed around the Darling River compared to the rest of the arid landscape. The approach to the river was green, brimming with wildlife and towering River Red Gums. It was water that made the difference. “It’s something we don’t value as much as we should,” he reflected. “We should really look after that.”
Will with a Giant Spiny Crayfish. “It’s been great to look after the crayfish and waterways. These are incredibly ancient animals that can live for a hundred years.” (Photo: Amy St Lawrence)
BMCC Healthy Waterways cadet
Fast forward to now and the Katoomba resident is directly involved in helping protect water quality as a cadet with the Healthy Waterways Team at Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC). In what seems serendipity, Will is one of the first environmental science cadets for the Team. Concurrently, he’s completing a Bachelor of Natural Sciences at Western Sydney University.
“I think the biggest highlight of my job has been the people I’ve had the privilege of working with. Every day I work alongside such smart, compassionate people, who have dedicated their lives to caring for something bigger themselves. They have been such generous teachers, and I have learned so much from them. “
Will Goodwin holding a newly hatched Eastern Long-Necked Turtle. “One of my pet projects in the last couple of years is turtles.” (Photo: Holly Nettle)
“What I also love is that no day is typical,” he enthused. Each year, the team visits and assesses 70 sites across the Blue Mountains to monitor human impact on local waterways. This includes remote areas where no human goes. “Which mostly means working in nice places,” Will said. “There’s only two cities on the planet in a World Heritage area – Banff (in Canada) and us. So that’s a pretty unique position to be in.”
It also presents challenges for the environment.
Our vulnerable waterways
“We are sitting right on top of a hill and we use all the waterways as our drains,” he lamented. “So, all the leaky cars and leaky sewers are going into the stormwater system – their sole purpose is out of sight, out of mind. In most cases there’s absolutely no filtration. So all the problems in our own backyards are getting an express ticket into the wilderness.”
A lot of our villages are old and have terracotta pipes that are easily cracked, Will further explained. Roots only infiltrate pipes that are leaking in the first place: “they’re not omniscient,” he said.
Monitoring water issues
The team test for parameters like water temperature, turbidity (cloudiness), pH and faecal bacteria. Nitrogen and phosphorus – also tested – are the main ingredients in fertilisers and organics like sewerage. “When there’s too much of that you get algal bloom and weeds growing,” he said.
But, because of cost factors, not all toxins can be monitored. The team are unable, for example, to routinely test for heavy metals or forever chemicals like PFOS.
The best gauge of ongoing water health is counting bugs. Some aquatic bugs (such as the larval stages of Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddisflies and Dragonflies) are sensitive to pollution. “And the lab tests only tell us what the water is doing at that time,” Will said.
On the job at Leura Cascades. “I’m privileged to live in such an incredible place.” Photo: Amy St Lawrence
Fixing environmental problems
As part of his cadetship, another “pet project” of Will’s – the Blue Mountains Perch – is also threatened by water issues. “Out of all the vertebrates in the mountains, I think it’s the most likely to go extinct,” he said. “Again, it’s storm water doing it – driveways and construction sites, soil going into creeks, blanketing over the breeding habitat.”
“Stormwater is our most pressing environmental issue in the Mountains. It’s so destructive, but also something we can fix.”
He offers the powerful example of the restoration of Minnehaha Falls. In the early 2000s it was inundated with sand. Improvements to storm water – some filtration, rain gardens and pollutant traps, helped clean up the water. “Then it just rained and rained and the water just flushed out the sand itself,” Will said.
“Nature has an incredible ability to heal if we fix what’s hurting it in the first place.” – Will Goodwin.
Minnehaha Falls at Katoomba in 2003 (left) and 2022 (right).
Education is key
Another big aspect of the job is education. “So that is getting kids out in bush connecting with nature,” he said. He’s worked with all ages from babies to seniors. “All of those age ranges love holding a turtle. You don’t need to teach kids to love nature. They innately do.”
“Fundamentally, the most important thing is encouraging people to care and facilitate change.”
Citizen science to the rescue
Long before he started University, Will was a passionate advocate for wildlife. He’s contributed to iNaturalist,FrogID, the Aussie Bird Countand more.
To prove the value of citizen science, he tells the story of a woman in his street who photographed a strange bee. It turned out to be Sericogaster fasciata, a bee previously thought to be extinct.
Will’s recent nature discoveries include finding scorpions and bioluminescent fungi on one of his favourite bush trails at night – with the aid of a UV torch light. “The more you look the more you realise that you’re just scratching the surface,” he said.
Will Goodwin protecting a turtle nest at Glenbrook Lagoon, says, “Science can be fun.”Photo: Amy St Lawrence
“As one person you can only do so much. If you can bring others along with you on the journey, that’s how we will get where we need to go.”
“It’s easy to think you can’t make a difference. A lack of hope stymies progress.” – Will Goodwin.
Careers in environmental science
Will encourages others to work in the environment and said it’s a growing field. “We need more people.”
While environmental jobs in areas like mining and development can conflict with values, “the reality is we need people who care in all of those roles,” he said.
How to make a difference
But you don’t have to work in the field to help wildlife. The passionate nature lover is brimming with stories that prove how just one person in their local area can make a difference.
One of the recent projects he’s been involved with through working at Council has been protecting turtle nests at Glenbrook Lagoon. “They’ve now hatched,” he said. “If they hadn’t been protected there’s a 95 per cent chance they’d have been eaten by foxes. Knowing there are little turtles out there because of me, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Will also constructed basking platforms for the turtles – to give them a place to dry out safe from dogs and people. “We’ve had landholders, community groups, schools and traditional owners all noticing. Those three platforms have turned into about 25 now,” he said. “It’s snowballed and growing and that’s where I feel I can make a difference. People care and by being able to encourage and facilitate that, that’s where we’ll get where we need to go.”
“Try not to focus on what’s outside your circle of control. “Always focus on what you can do because there’s plenty you can do.” – Will Goodwin.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Linda Moon has lived in the upper Blue Mountains since childhood and is a freelance writer for Australian media. A qualified naturopath, permaculture designer, mother and former student of social work, her passion is building local community, gardening, mental, emotional, social, housing and environmental health – all of which are linked!
“Every body can help the planet” is the tagline of Earthly Remains, a not-for-profit organisation set up to advocate for human composting as a more sustainable death care option in Australia.
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