about Inland Rivers Network
What is the Inland Rivers Network?
Inland Rivers Network is a coalition
of environment groups and individuals concerned
about the degradation of the rivers, wetlands and
groundwaters of the Murray-Darling Basin. Since
1991 the Network has advocated for the conservation
of biological diversity in these environments,
the maintenance of essential ecosystem functions
and the restoration of degraded habitats.
The story of water resources management in Australias
Murray-Darling Basin in the twentieth century has largely been one of
gross over extraction, excessive flow regulation and a dismissal of
environmental concerns. Whilst many rivers are still beautiful and support
prosperous industries and communities, the health of the Basins
rivers and wetlands is generally poor and declining. The Inland
Rivers Network exists to advocate for these threatened environments.
Inland Rivers Network aims to
- Restore the degraded rivers, wetlands and groundwaters of
the Basin;
- Reinstate key features of natural flow patterns;
- Conserve the biological diversity of rivers, wetlands and
associated ecosystems;
- Recover threatened aquatic and floodplain species; and
- Recognise and support traditional indigenous knowledge and
custodianship of inland river systems.
Conservation groups represented on the Inland Rivers Network Steering
Committee
- Australian Conservation Foundation
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW
- Coast and Wetland Society
- National Parks Association
- Friends of the Earth
Inland Rivers Network Staff
Amy Hankinson, Coordinator
Amy Hankinson joined IRN in September 2005. She has previously
worked with IRN, and has also worked briefly as a consultant for
the Institute for Sustainable Futures on water management, and
for a UK council on planning and legal matters. She has a background
in geography and law.
Her role as coordinator involves supporting river conservation
representatives on River Management Committees, liaising with
staff from water resource and environment agencies, facilitating
the development of river and water policies based upon good science,
liaising with irrigation and commodity group representatives,
publishing the Inland Rivers Network Newsletter, and meeting with
government.
Click
here for contact details.
Last updated 27th August 2002
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