Local Land Services is hosting a guided kayak tour of Lake Inverell on Tuesday March 6, and a tour of the Gwydir River at ‘Swan Reach’, Bundarra on Wednesday March 7.

Wildlife ecologist Phil Spark will paddle with the kayak tours to help find the creatures that call the river home, and share his wealth of knowledge about aquatic animals.

The Bell’s Turtle Recovery Project and the financial incentives available to landholders to help protect turtle habitat will be discussed, and there may even be an opportunity to spot one in the river.

Local Land Services Healthy Rivers officer Andrew Walsh said the kayak tours will give people a new way to experience the river.

“We’ll be looking at what makes our rivers healthy and we’ll also be talking about how Local Land Services can help landholders to protect and improve water quality and aquatic environments,” Andrew said.

“Fencing, controlling weeds and planting native trees along your stretch of riverbank will significantly improve river health and water quality and ensure fish, turtles and other aquatic life remain in our waterways.”

Both the Inverell and Bundarra kayak tours will run from 9am to 1pm. All equipment will be provided including kayaks, morning tea and lunch. Participants are asked to bring a water bottle, and to wear a sun hat and appropriate clothing.

Numbers are limited so please RSVP to Andrew Walsh, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Healthy Rivers Officer, on 0427 433 317.

The kayak tours are supported by the NSW Government’s Catchment Action Program.