The students, along with students from all over the Hunter, were participating in the My River Hunter program which has been running over the past week.

The students have been taking the pulse of local waterways, with the Muswellbrook group focusing on the section of the Hunter River that flows past Rutherford Park.

The year seven to nine students tested the temperature, salinity and pH levels of the water as well as the level of dissolved oxygen.

Accompanied by science teacher Wendy Wales and OzGreen facilitator Gabe Anderson, the students recognised the issues and values for the catchment.

Testing has been taking place over the week and all findings will be presented at a community forum today at 3.30pm at the Uniting Church Hall in Muswellbrook.

My River Hunter is a new initiative in the Hunter coordinated by OzGreen.

Mr Anderson said students would get together to compare test results, identify concerns and work out what they can do about them.

“The students will be able to identify the issues and values of the catchment and produce a vision and action plan for the waterways,” he said.

Mr Anderson invited all community members to attend the forum to hear the students outline their plans.

“This is a great opportunity for teachers, policy and education officers and community group members to find out how the students’ plans for action and fresh ideas could complement existing efforts to care for the Hunter catchment and its tributaries,” Mr Anderson said.

“It will also be beneficial for anyone to learn more about the health of the Hunter River catchment and be inspired by young people taking action,” he said.