Trees for Fish
OzFish is responsible for planting many thousands of native trees along Australian waterways each way. This work plays a pivotal role in restoring and sustaining healthy habitats for fish.
The area bordering waterways, such as riverbanks, is known as the ‘riparian zone’. The presence of native trees and vegetation in this zone is important to the stability of the riverbank, water quality and native fish populations.
OzFish delivers many riparian restoration projects across Australia – working with local communities and organisations to create healthy habitats and lasting legacies.
Projects
Coldstream River – Stage 2, NSW
OzFish, landholders, and volunteers rejuvenated Coldstream River, removing 500m of weeds, planting 1000 natives, enhancing fish habitat, and fostering community engagement for a healthier ecosystem.
Maguires Creek, NSW 2024
This project will restore 250m of riparian vegetation along Maguires Creek. Helping to improve habitat, and bring back some of the ‘Big Scrub’ for Australian Bass, Herring and Mullet that all love this creek to enjoy!
Burringbar Creek, NSW 2024
Oz Fish are working with the community to remove invasive weeds and plant out natives along a 200m stretch of riparian zone to improve habitat for Australian Bass and other native fish that love this Creek.
Clarence River, NSW 2024
Members of the OzFish Clarence River Chapter will work with volunteers from Clarence Valley Landcare to plant native trees along a section of the riparian zone at the Junction of South Arm and the Clarence River after a private contractor…
South Creek, NSW 2024
At South Creek, OzFish members, landcarers, and local community will work together to clean up flood debris at the site, remove invasive weeds, and help replant native vegetation. These work will commence once the site has been fenced off to…
Rocky Creek, NSW 2023
Oz Fish has been working to restore 650m of riparian zone along Rocky and Little Rocky Creek to improve the habitat for native fish species.
Nymboida River, NSW 2024
OzFish Unlimited has restored 7 hectares along the Nymboida River. Hosted two community engagement and educational days, brought volunteers together to plant 1000 native trees to increase resistance and resilience to fire and flooding on the riparian zone.
Wambuul-Macquarie River NSW 2023
The Wambuul Macquarie River has become heavily degraded thanks to floods, erosion, and rubbish. Thanks to funding from the Central West Local Land Services, the community has come together to breathe new life into the riparian zones of Wellington and…
Talbragar River, NSW 2023
The Dunedoo-Coolah Landcare Community Event successfully engaged the public in planting native trees and hosting a fishing clinic for children along the Talbragar River as part of an initiative to restore the river’s ecosystem and improve habitats for native fish…
Nepean River, NSW 2023
OzFish Hawkesbury Nepean Chapter, Wallacia progress Association, Penrith City Council and the Hawkesbury Nepean Landcare Network aim to restore a popular section of the Nepean riverbank in Wallacia and hold a responsible fishing event to educate participants on eco-friendly fishing…
Hunter River , NSW 2023
OzFish Unlimited, and partners propose to restore two degraded stretches of the Hunter River through riparian restoration and re-establishment of large woody fish habitat. The project will involve multiple community planting and education events, fish hotel building workshops, and citizen…
Bonville Creek, NSW 2023
In partnership with Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare, the OzFish Coffs Harbour chapter got together on a rainy afternoon to repair a local wetland to support native fish. Activities on the day included the removal of environmental weeds, the planting of…
Nymboida River, NSW 2023
OzFish Unlimited has restored 3 hectares of the riparian zone along the Nymboida River following the devastating 2019-2020 Black summer bush fires that burnt throughout the system. Removal of privet, lantana and other exotic weeds has been undertaken to reduce…
Styles Point, NSW 2023
Lake Macquarie’s delicate saltmarsh communities have faced threats due to coastal development and land reclamation. This development has resulted in significant losses, impacting the fishery. In response, OzFish Unlimited’s Lake Macquarie Chapter set up the Styles Point Saltmarsh Restoration and…
Sherwood Creek, NSW 2023
OzFish Unlimited, through the support of the Foundation for National Parks and their ‘Healing Our Lands’ global appeal, and Macleay Valley Landcare began the much needed recovery process to rejuvenate Sherwood Creek following the destruction caused by bushfires.
Clyde River, NSW 2023
The OzFish Eurobodalla Chapter has been working with South-East Local Land Services and Eurobodalla Landcare to remove wandering trad using a novel biocontrol approach and re-establish native vegetation at a popular campground near Shallow Crossing.
Regional Youth Investment Program
This project will see young people restoring river health and habitat for wildlife by planting
trees along waterways, making fish hotels for threatened fish species, restoring wetlands,
collecting rubbish and designing and implementing a litter prevention project for their local
river.
Gwydir River, NSW 2022
OzFish alongside Northern Slopes Landcare, Traditional Owners, recreational fishers and Moree Urban Landcare worked to rehabilitate Moree’s fish habitats on the Gwydir River. Using the River Repair Bus program based at Moree, OzFish led restoration works across three sites surrounding…
Washpool Creek, NSW 2023
OzFish have partnered with key volunteer groups and landholders to undertake fish habitat restoration works at the confluence of Washpool creek and Tenterfield Creek. The works will consist of installing riparian fencing over a 2km stretch which will protect the…
Murray Sunset National Park Restoration, 2023
OzFish Unlimited, First Nations, and recreational anglers will be working together to restore critical habitats in the Sunraysia region thanks to a funding boost through the Australian Government’s Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program.
Oolong Creek, NSW 2023
OzFish is removing invasive weeds from Oolong Creek as part of efforts to protect one of the few remaining known populations of Southern pygmy perch in NSW.
The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with…
Blicks River, NSW 2022
OzFish is removing invasive weeds and returning native vegetation to an area of rainforest ravaged by fires. The restoration along Blicks River in NSW will benefit native fish species including eastern freshwater cod and the iconic Australian bass.
The project…
Coolah restoration project
OzFish and Dunedoo-Coolah Landcare are working with a remote community in Central NSW to restore healthy habit to the waterway following drought and floods. The project activity will complement what the local community has already achieved with the creation of…
St Albans, NSW 2022
OzFish Hawkesbury-Nepean Chapter is working in partnership with Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network and Hawkesbury City Council to restore native vegetation to the banks of the Macdonald River. This will improve water quality and enhance the habitat for fish, including Australian bass.
The…
Midgen Flat, NSW 2022
OzFish Richmond Chapter is restoring healthy habitat to North Creek, in the Richmond River catchment, NSW. A combination of planting native vegetation, removing invasive weeds, and installing cattle exclusion fencing is delivering a real boost for native fish including Australian…
Skinners Creek, NSW 2022
OzFish is removing invasive weeds from the banks of Skinners Creek, at Nashua, NSW and restoring native vegetation. This project will provide native fish with an important source of shade and water, while protecting the Creek’s banks from erosion.
Upper Wilsons River, NSW 2022
OzFish Richmond Chapter is working to reduce erosion, improve water quality and support native fish, including Australian bass and eastern freshwater cod, in the Wilson River.
Wilsons River, NSW 2022
OzFish, in partnership with Landcare NSW and Lismore City Council, will be returning native vegetation to the banks of Wilsons River to help reduce erosion and improve water quality, supporting native fish numbers.
Cedar Brush Creek, NSW 2022
OzFish, in partnership with Landcare NSW and Community Environment Network, removed invasive weeds and planted native trees and vegetation to a section of riverbank along Cedar Brush Creek.
Upper Orara, NSW 2022
OzFish, in partnership with Landcare NSW, has delivered extensive anti-erosion works along Fridays Creek to support native fish populations, including Australian bass, and platypus. The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare NSW, with funding…
Coldstream River, NSW 2022
The OzFish Clarence Chapter is mobilising volunteers from the local community to restore healthy habitat along the Coldstream River in NSW. People interested in supporting their local waterway and native fish can register to take part.
Karingal Reserve, NSW 2022
OzFish has completed significant planting of native vegetation along Dogwood Creek on Karingal Reserve, south of Miles, Queensland. This has enhanced the habitat for native fish and encouraged local fishers to become waterway stewards.
Oxley River (Tweed), NSW
OzFish, in partnership with Landcare NSW and Tweed Shire Council, is restoring native trees to a stretch of the Oxley River, in the Tweed River catchment. The restored habitat will support native fish, including the Australian bass, and wildlife, such…
Upper Horton River, NSW
OzFish has completed the restoration of 3.5 hectares of river frontage – establishing healthy habitat to support native fish, as well as the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare…
Goonoo Goonoo Creek, NSW
OzFish Tamworth Chapter has been working with members of the local community to remove invasive weeds from a 2km stretch of the creek and improve the habitat for native fish species.
Emigrant Creek, NSW
Located on private land along Emigrant Creek, we are continuing the collective effort to restore the riparian zone, improve fish habitat and prevent bank erosion and turbid water, by restoring another 2km stretch of riverbank.
Emigrant Creek is a popular fishing…
Tenterfield Creek, NSW
At the end of 2019, bushfires ravaged the Tenterfield area and a following rain event saw chemical, ash and sediment impact the water quality of Tenterfield Creek damaging the habitat of the southern purple spotted gudgeon. OzFish Unlimited and Landcare…
Logan River, QLD
OzFish members know that better fishing needs healthy waters. That is why they are committed to improve the health of the Logan River with fish habitat restoration projects that will be implemented over the next 3 years. OzFish members and…
Whittaker’s Lagoon, NSW
OzFish has been instrumental in transforming turning a lagoon once used by the Gomeroi/Kamilaroi people into a unique ‘living classroom’.
Whittaker’s Lagoon, near Moree, will now play an important role in educating high school students and young Traditional Owners about the…
Horden’s Lagoon, Lake Hume NSW
OzFish members are working together with landowners and Woolshed Thurgoona Landcare Group to restore the riparian vegetation along Hordon’s Lagoon. The project will plant native vegetation corridors, install riparian protection fencing and host community planting days.
Once completed it is expected…
Barrs Scrub Fish Habitat Restoration, Coomera River, QLD
OzFish Volunteers have cleared weeds along the Coomera River at Barrs Scrub and have planted 1,250 plants, ensuring this important habitat will be healthy for generations of fish and fishers.
Timbarra River and Sheepyard Creek NSW
OzFish and Landcare Australia have joined forces to help threatened species which suffered from the Black Summer fires thanks to the Landcare Australia Aquatic Wildlife Habitat Bushfire Program.
Coopers Creek, NSW
OzFish has planted more than 1,000 native grasses, shrubs and trees to combat riverbank erosion and create healthy habitat for native fish and wildlife, including the platypus.
The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare…
Cattai Creek, NSW
OzFish has planted more than 1,000 native grasses, shrubs and trees to combat riverbank erosion and create healthy habitat for native fish and wildlife, including the platypus.
The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare…
Mehi River, NSW
The Mehi and adjacent Gwydir catchment areas cover more than 27,000 square kilometres and contain waterways that are in need of urgent restoration. OzFish is working with Moree Urban Landcare, as part of its partnership with Landcare NSW, to rebuild…
Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga, NSW
OzFish Wagga will work alongside Landcare NSW volunteers to undertake a native vegetation restoration project within the inlets of Lake Albert. This project will be designed to assist with reducing future erosion and sediment issues that Lake Albert is currently…
Wambuul Macquarie, NSW
The once-thriving native fish population within the Wambuul-Macquarie River, boasting species such as the Macquarie perch, Murray cod, silver perch, trout cod, and freshwater catfish, now faces a grim reality. Historic land clearing, invasive species, soil erosion, pollution, and other…
Bottle Bend, Mildura, NSW
The Sunraysia River Repair Bus have been undertaking weekly restoration projects within Bottle Bend Reserve alongside members of the committee. The activities have included weed removal, rubbish collection, scientific research with local schools and protecting indigenous artefacts.
Supplementary projects that have…
Tarcutta Creek, NSW
Tarcutta Creek is a southern tributary of the Murrumbidgee River Catchment had suffered for years. It was when the eroding banks significantly reduced the remaining fish habitat by undermining the overhanging bank vegetation and smothering snags and microhabitats nearby with…
Tenterfield Creek Restoration Project
Tenterfield Creek has been in dire need of rehabilitation. Vital fish habitat has been modified, lost or destroyed through human-induced change. This along with drought, fire and floods has put enormous pressure on native fish populations and fewer fish means…
Heal the Peel
OzFish Northwest Chapter in Tamworth is restoring native fish habitat in their local Peel river. Historically desnagging and removal of vegetation from the riverbanks have contributed to a decline in fish stocks. The Peel River has known populations of threatened…
Kings Billabong, Mildura VIC
Sunraysia OzFish volunteer’s have been restoring Kings Billabong an iconic site for our local recreational fishers situated close to Mildura, Victoria.
OzFish volunteers have spent hours undertaking a native fish habitat restoration project so our native fish can thrive in the…
Butlers Creek, Mildura VIC
Butlers Creek forms part of the Kings Billabong Nature reserve wetland complex on the Murray River in North West Victoria. Protecting and restoring the interconnecting systems within the Murray is a hallmark of the Sunraysia OzFish Chapter.
Why are native trees so important to the health of rivers?
Native trees have root structures that either bore down or spread out, creating intricate and strong foundations that help maintain the structural integrity of riverbanks. Without roots anchoring the bank together, it is more likely to collapse.
Eroding banks cause significant negative impacts on fish habitat, including removing overhanging vegetation that provides food and shade to fish in the river. The sediment they create also smothers snags and shelter spots, as well as causing water quality issues.
Riparian zones are sometimes referred to as biofilters, as they remove excess nutrients, pollution and sediment from water before it enters the river. An excess amount of nutrients can result in the growth of algae and algal bloom, which takes oxygen away from fish.
Trees bordering rivers also provide an important source of food and shelter for fish.
They create shade corridors, enabling the fish to move more freely for activities such as mating, and insects that drop from overhanging branches provide food.
OzFish is also involved in the removal of invasive weeds and vegetation, before replacing them with native trees and plants. Invasive species can be very harmful to an area, including contributing to drought by absorbing more water than the area can sustain to lose.
Volunteer with Us
Join our community of volunteers who share our determination to restore fish habitat across Australia.
Make a Donation
Donate today to support our mission to restore our inland waterways through community-driven participation and ownership.
Become a Member
Help us raise funds for our restoration initiatives by becoming an OzFish member today. Learn more about member benefits!
We all have a role to play
There are many factors that contribute to the damage of riparian zones, many of them caused by humans. This includes grazing and trampling by livestock, gravel extraction for use in construction, and the creation of paths close to the riverbank, that result in native vegetation being removed.
So, please get involved in one of our many ‘Trees for Fish’ projects across Australia. By volunteering for a few hours and planting some trees, you’ll be doing your bit to combat erosion of the riverbank, provide food and shelter for native fish, and ensure that the future of fishing in your area is sustainable.
Strong, stable and healthy riverbanks provide better access to the water. Water which will be of better quality and home to more fish.