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.
Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Planetary Health Centre on Saturday for the first of our Skill Share Saturdays program!
The Centre was a hive of activity all day, and we heard from @alchemyfarms_permaculture, the @ediblegardentrailbluemountains team and Andy Mann. Also thanks to Sherlie McMillan from Greater Blue Mountains Rotary for teaching the Fashion Upcycling workshop, and Virginia Field for the Tai Chi and Qigong class.
The next event will be held on Saturday 1st August - you can register your place here: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
🖐Get involved!
Do you have a skill, program or interest that promotes planetary health that you`d be willing to share with members of the local community? We are looking for more workshop and session hosts for our future events.
Join us at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on the first Saturday of every month for Skill Share Saturdays!
Our July program includes: - What to grow in a Blue Mountains climate - Eating for Earth - Tai Chi and Qigong - Fashion upcycling and clothing reuse workshop - How to get involved with the Edible Garden Trail
You are also welcome to bring any surplus seeds or produce for our Crop Swap, or wind down in the Planetary Health Cafe (until 2pm).
If you have a skill that you want to share, or any questions or queries, please contact [email protected]
Visit the website to view the full program of events and register your place.
Join Andy Mann, a 23 year old Lawson local, for their Eating for Earth session 🌏
Eating for Earth is a judgement-free plant-based educational workshop that all types of eaters are encouraged to attend. There will be a presentation about the environmental impact of diets, a discussion section, and best of all, food! The food will be fully plant-based.
Andy wants to help inform our passionate community about how we can better reduce dietary environmental impact.
The session will run from 11AM - 12PM on Saturday 4th July.
Other sessions include: - What to grow in a Blue Mountains Climate - Fashion Upcycling - Tai Chi and Qigong - Bushcare on the Planetary Health site - How to get involved with the Edible Garden Trail
To register your place, visit our website: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre...
We’re excited to announce the second Blue Mountains Food Security Fair, taking place in Katoomba in October 2026.
This annual event will bring together growers, thinkers, makers, and community members to explore one of the most important challenges of our time: how we grow, share, and sustain food in a changing world.
Across the weekend, we’ll be exploring themes including: - Healthy soil and regenerative systems - Food and human health - Plant-based food futures - Home and community food resilience - Water-sensitive and climate-adapted growing - Indigenous food knowledge and systems - School food systems - Australia’s food procurement - Global food security challenges Expect a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, practical workshops, and hands-on experiences designed to leave you informed, empowered, and connected.
Key information Date: Weekend of 10th October 2026 Location: Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre, Katoomba, NSW We’ll be announcing speakers and program details soon.
We are also inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations who would like to contribute to the program, host workshops, run a stall or partner with us.
Do you struggle making the most of your veggie garden all year round?
Join Leni from @alchemyfarms_permaculture on Saturday 4th July for her Permaculture Workshop: Learn how to grow WITH the Upper Blue Mountains seasons, rather than battling against them.
During the two-hour session, you`ll cover crop selection for different seasons, what to grow from seeds vs seedlings, frost and wind protection, and nurturing your soil with a seasonal cycle.
Register for this and other sessions as part of our Skill Share Saturdays program via this link: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre...
From Saturday 4 July, we are opening up the Planetary Health Centre for our monthly Skill Share Saturdays program: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
Throughout each day, you can expect to find a variety of sessions focused on restoring the health of the planet, in terms of the environment, community and economy.
Sessions at the first event include:
- What to grow in a Blue Mountains climate - Plant-based eating - Tai Chi and Qigong - Fashion Upcycling and clothing reuse workshop
You are also welcome to bring any surplus seeds or produce for our Crop Swap, or wind down in the Planetary Health Cafe (until 2pm).
Visit the website to view the full program of events and register your place: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
Registrations essential.
We are also inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations who would like to contribute to the program - please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested!...
🍃Volunteer weekly at the Planetary Health Centre 🍃
From next week, Tuesday 28th April, come and join Leni from @alchemyfarms_permaculture from 10am - 12pm, to help with the management of the Planetary Health veggie gardens, where any surplus produce can be shared!
The gardening session will be followed by a complimentary tea or coffee in the Planetary Health cafe.
📆Day: Every Tuesday 🕙Time: 10AM - 12PM
📍Where: Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia Street Katoomba (follow the pathways at each side of the building, round to the terrace and gardens).
What shall I bring? All you need to bring is water, gardening gloves and a hat.
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting the first year Medical students from @notredamesyd for their Rural and Indigenous Immersion trip across Katoomba and Lithgow. Across two days, 150 students learnt about the link between human health and a healthy environment, the work of the @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth Initiative and the @bluemountainscitycouncil to create climate resilient communities, and got to explore our site using heat mapping tools....
Join Rotarians for Planetary Health on International Women`s Day, from 2.30-4pm Sun 8 March, for the opening of a portrait display to celebrate local women who have made a meaningful impact on protecting animals and nature. The photographs by Sue Lightfoot and others are part of a long-term initiative to build a living, community-driven database of women working to protect animals and the natural world.
The display will be open until 1 April, Thursday to Saturday, 9.30am–3.30pm at the Junction 142 Village markets (church space). As the project develops, community members will be invited to nominate women whose work deserves recognition.
The launch follows the Uniting Church and Plant Inspired`s monthly community luncheon from 12-2pm, which this month features the Older Women`s Network Blue Mountains. For more information contact 0434 691 496 (Teya)
In a world being threatened by war, greed, cruelty and selfishness, the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend will close with a gathering of people who have faith that kindness, generosity, love, creativity and community, and the healing of our land, are a better way forward. We`re thrilled that harpist Dawn Egan will be performing at this inspiring event in the Planetary Health exhibition space. Afternoon tea will be provided. Register to attend here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Had lunch yet? Head over to the Planetary Health Centre for these delicious offerings from @8thingskatoomba today (Sat 28 Feb): South Indian dosa, Korean bao, NY Cheese burger, Bali nasi, Mullum tofu fries, shoestring fires & red bean mochi!
Don`t miss hearing Andrew Skeoch at 2pm today at the Planetary Health Centre! He`s an acoustic ecologist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature` and uses technology to help identify the different `conversations` happening in the world around us. His presentations are a revelation! Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Planetary Health Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
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!
In Katoomba, a grassroots litter-picking group tackles rubbish before it reaches our water supply. Their story shows how local environmental action, fueled by community connection, can drive meaningful change for planetary health.
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