YEAR 3 RIVER EXPERIENCE
Mary River (Crystal Waters), Conondale, QLD, AUS

The 2023 team-building river-related experience was based out of the Crystal Waters Eco Park in Conondale, Queensland (QLD), Australia and preceded the SFS Annual Meeting at Freshwaters Downunder in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Emerge fellows traveled two hours north of Brisbane to Crystal Waters where they spent five days and three nights, May 29 - June 2, 2023, glamping in tents and cabins. After receiving an indigenous Welcome to Country from the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation, fellows spent their days in the field, sampling for fish and invertebrates and connecting with local groups working with the Mary River, such as the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation, and Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation.

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Emerge funded 5 undergraduate students, 20 graduate students, and 6 early career professional (total: 29) to participate.

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All river logistics and instruction were orchestrated by collaborators at the Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) based out of Griffith University (GU). Special thanks are owed to GU-ARI staff and faculty: Nadine Painter, Ana Veamathau, Stuart Bunn, and Mark Kennard.