Water for the environment (or 'environmental flows') is increasingly used to reduce the impacts of river regulation on ecosystem function and help recover native flora and fauna. The Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring and Assessment Program (VEFMAP) was established by the Victorian government in 2005 to monitor and assess ecosystem responses to environmental watering in priority rivers across Victoria. In recent times, there has been an enhanced focus on working closely and collaboratively with waterway managers to provide them with information in a timely manner to inform effective adaptive management of water and demonstrate the value of environmental water to stakeholders.
This talk outlines the approach taken for communication and engagement within VEFMAP, which included an angler citizen science element regarding collection of fish earbones, to gain additional scientific samples, enhance collections with anglers and build water literacy. VEFMAP placed a priority on fostering strong partnerships between DELWP, catchment management authorities and collaborating researchers. These efforts aimed to ensure accountability and transparency, scientifically sound ecological data and assessments and prompt delivery of information and advice. The strong collaborations with water managers has led to a more adaptive approach to improve planning, delivery and evaluation of environmental water management. The improved understanding of the ecological links to flow gained through VEFMAP provides further opportunities for DELWP and water managers to now share the value of environmental water to broader audiences.