About us

Watergum is a not-for-profit organisation based on the Gold Coast, Australia. Since 2001, we have been helping the community engage in real, on-ground work to restore, maintain and protect the natural environment.

We are about being a part of something real.

We work to improve habitat, protect turtles, learn about platypus, plant trees and remove invasive species. We strive to leave ecosystems better than we find them, by applying a science-based, collaborative approach.

Originally called the Gold Coast Catchment Association, we have grown into an organisation that works across land and sea, connecting community to environment. The Watergum is an emblem of resilience and hope.

Our vision

Collectively, we restore Australian landscapes to places of beauty, clean water and native habitat that will support our community and wildlife for generations to come.

Our mission

We provide pathways for education and on-ground action that engages and inspires communities across Australia to improve our natural environment and cultivates cultural change.

Community for environment

The simple act of a person getting involved and doing something real in nature opens the door to understanding. Through doing and seeing, people start to appreciate the wonder of nature, and gain a first-hand insight to the problems and threats that our environment faces.

Each person can become an agent for environmental improvement. When large numbers of people are engaged, we start to see changes in behaviour across the whole community.

This is what Watergum is all about.

We provide multiple avenues for community to become involved in real, hands-on environmental work and research. We believe this is a positive, enjoyable and powerful way to improve our wonderful Australian environment.

Read our most recent annual report

Our key activities

Just as our natural environment is varied, from pristine beaches to rugged hinterland valleys, we have a diverse range of key activities. This ensures we can better meet the needs of our community and improve our environment.

Restoration, revegetation and research projects

We facilitate on ground works and connect landholders, stakeholders and the public to best practice land management.

Citizen science

We involve community in monitoring, understanding and protecting our iconic species and waterways through our TurtleWatch, PlatypusWatch, and Water Monitoring programs.

Invasive species control

We run the Cane Toad Challenge; Australia’s largest community cane toad control program. We produce a world first pheromone based trap and lure product to break the breeding cycle of cane toads.

Education and engagement events

From private workshops to large community events, we host a wide range of environmental events every year to engage and inspire adults and children to care for the environment.

Member groups

We provide auspicing, financial, administrative and project management support to other local community groups, to ensure they can spend more time where it counts – in the field protecting our environment.

Our values

Watergum is a values driven organisation, dedicated to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable practices. All our projects are evaluated against our values, reflecting the highest standards and genuine care for the natural world and local communities.