CAFNEC's MangroveWatch Project
What is our project?
MangroveWatch is a national citizen science program and CAFNEC has been leading the Wet Tropics Chapter since 2016. The data from our project is reported in the Wet Tropics Healthy Waterways Report Card which can be found HERE.
How to get involved
Mangrove Monitoring
Learn how to collect data on mangrove condition!

Saltmarsh Monitoring
Learn how to collect data on saltmarsh habitat!
Local Action Plans
See how we are turning citizen science data into local on-ground action!

Resources
Check out field guides and additional training information here!
RECENT POSTS
Bitumen and Kerosene Spill – Trinity Inlet
Bitumen coating mangrove and molluscs a couple days after the spill. Photo Credit: Tanya Murphy, Australian Marine Conservation SocietyNOTE: This blog post will be continually updated. We have received many messages and phone calls from concerned community members and...
CAFNEC’s MangroveWatch Chapter Local Action Plans Update
First planting at Barr Creek Fish Habitat Area. AFTER. (2025) - see BEFORE photo at end of article. Wet Season is the perfect time to focus on and progress Local Action Plans (LAPs) as it is too wet to undertake field monitoring. LAP Leaders have met monthly...
CAFNEC’s MangroveWatch Chapter Through The Ages
Bess Murphy leading a team of volunteers for mangrove monitoring and accompanied by mangrove expert, Dr. Norm Duke.(2018)About the Author Shannon is CAFNEC's Projects Officer and has been working for CAFNEC for 2 years. Shannon enjoys supporting the local community...
OUR SUPPORTERS
This project is currently funded thanks to #CitizenScience Grants by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation along with The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. It is also proudly supported by the Queensland Government—Queensland Citizen Science Grants and Wet Tropics Management Authority Climate Action Grant. To establish the project the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) have previously received funding from the Queensland Government via their Engaging Science grants, Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC), Cairns Regional Council, and Terrain NRM Natural Capital Grant.
We are proud to partner with volunteers, land care groups, and Indigenous ranger groups across Wet Tropics Estuaries and in the Cape. They generously provide their knowledge and resources to make the monitoring possible and enhance environmental stewardship opportunities in the region.

