Session 3 - Icon Sites
In this session, we visit the the Barmah–Millewa Forest, one of the Icon Sites. We also talk to a Yorta Yorta elder and find out what the Murray River means to his people.
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Background
The Living Murray’s first step focuses on improving the environment at six ‘Icon Sites’ along the River.
The Living Murray Icon Sites were chosen for their high ecological value – most are listed as internationally significant wetlands under the Ramsar convention – and also their cultural significance to Indigenous people and the broader community. They are:
- Barmah–Millewa Forest
- Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest
- Hattah Lakes
- Chowilla Floodplain & Lindsay–Wallpolla Islands
- Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth
- River Murray Channel
Through The Living Murray, action is underway to provide water to these sites and support a natural environment unique to the Australian landscape. Ecological objectives have been developed aimed at retaining, restoring or improving the sites’ ecosystems, habitats, and species of flora and fauna.
Discussion Questions (Download page in print friendly Word format)
- Why do you think The Living Murray’s first step focuses on improving the environment of these six ‘Icon Sites’? Why are these places important?
- Who would be affected if the sites are not looked after?
Recall Questions
- How much money has been donated to improve the health of some icon sites along the River?
- Who will be affected if these sites are not looked after?
- What animals did you see in the video?
- Why is the River Murray important to the Yorta Yorta people?
- How does Col Walker, a Yorta Yorta elder, describe the River?
Complete the paragrah:
The Barmah Choke is the ………………………………… part of the Murray River from Hume Dam to the Murray Mouth. It’s a really important feature of the Barmah–Millewa Forest and is quite unsual because it’s only about …………………………….. wide and extends for about ……………………………… It’s also unusual because it flows on top of ………………………………….
Resource Links
See links section below for resources related to the suggested activities.
Information about the 6 icon sites.
www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/iconsites
Icon Sites of the River Murray poster
Click here to download
Icon Sites factsheet
Click here to download
Protecting and improving icon sites factsheet
Click here to download
Example of an icon site poster produced by Burrumbuttock PS students.
Click here to download