Community surveys

Scientists from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment need your help to manage wildlife and improve waterway use. Help them protect wildlife and waterways by completing two community surveys: the Community Wildlife Survey and the NSW Water Quality Objectives survey.

To understand the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires on wildlife and discover the locations of 10 particular animal species across New South Wales, scientists want to learn about your sightings of possums, kangaroos and other mammals from before and after the fires, as well as sightings from areas not affected by fire.

The Community Wildlife Survey has been re-opened to help them understand how 10 particular species are faring, and how they have been impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. Data from the survey improves understanding of the distribution of native and introduced mammals in New South Wales, gives an indication of how their populations and distributions have changed over time and informs investigations into what might be causing that change.

Get involved

The survey should take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete. Jump online and help scientists from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment find out what these 10 animals have been up to. Complete the survey here

Waterway use survey

Go in the draw to win 1 of 10 National Parks Passes by telling the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment about your local waterway! Scientists want to know how you use local waterways and why they are valuable for your quality of life.

All members of the community are encouraged to have their say.

Survey results will inform NSW Water Quality Objectives used to protect and maintain New South Wales waterways in line with the way community members currently use them or plan to use them in the future. These uses may include swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, walking by your waterway or just knowing they are there for plants and animals.

Image courtsey of Peter Robey.

The NSW Water Quality Objectives survey includes questions such as:

  • which waterways in your local area are important to you
  • what do you currently enjoy using your local waterways for – walking, picnicking, swimming, boating, and/or fishing
  • how healthy are your local waterways and is this important to you
  • how often do you visit your local waterways
  • are there any conflicting uses of waterways in your local area?

The survey should take no more than 7 minutes to complete and can be completed for multiple waterways in your area. Complete the survey by the 26 February 2021 here

Guest contribution by Sarah Klistorner, Science Communicator, Science, Economics and Insights (SEID) Division, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.