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In June 2025, the Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network (HNL) set out to put wetlands firmly back on the school radar. Across HNL’s four LGAs, wetlands are everywhere – and yet often overlooked. There are 159 significant wetlands in the Hawkesbury region, 2,000 hectares in Penrith, 12 natural and constructed wetlands in Blacktown, plus 39 major sub‑catchments and more than 900 kilometres of waterways in The Hills Shire. Despite this abundance, there have been no dedicated programs highlighting their ecological importance within local schools.

So HNL, with support from the Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN), launched the inaugural HNL Schools Wetlands Challenge in 2025 – a hands-on, community-driven initiative connecting students to the landscapes of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system.

The idea is simple but powerful: each participating school “adopts” a local wetland. Over the course of the Challenge, students build a genuine relationship with their site, using citizen science and nature-based solutions to monitor and care for it. Learning moves beyond the classroom and into muddy boots and water testing kits. Science, geography and cultural learning come together in real time.

The year culminates in the HNL Schools Wetlands Challenge Awards, where students present their projects and compete for HNL Wetland of the Year. Judging looks at the depth of citizen science, how environmental education has been embedded across the school, and the level of demonstrated care through restoration efforts.

Who won the 2025 Challenge?

The winner of the 2025 HNL Schools Wetlands Challenge was Lorien Novalis Steiner School in The Hills Shire Council area. Their chosen “wetland” was Dooral Dooral Creek, a waterway running behind their school and known to have platypus. Although the school was not located near a traditional wetland, the creek offered easy and meaningful access for students, making it the ideal site for their project.

To ensure the Challenge is accessible to all schools – including those without wetlands nearby – HNL adopts a broad definition of what a “wetland” can be. HNL remains open to other creative submissions as well, ensuring all schools can meaningfully participate regardless of location or mobility constraints.

Looking ahead: Dates for the 2026 Challenge

The HNL Schools Wetlands Challenge 2026 will be held on 11 September 2026in celebration of Biodiversity Month.

More than a competition

Monique explains that this is far more than a competition, it’s about nurturing ecological literacy and agency. By bringing together students, teachers, councils, Landcare groups, environmental educators and scientists, the Challenge builds a community of care around local wetlands.

In doing so, Landcare isn’t just restoring habitat. It’s empowering the next generation to understand, value and protect the ecosystems that sustain us all.

For further information: landcare@wswa.nsw.gov.au