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Water Culture and Conservation

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Water Culture and Conservation

You are part of a youth team advising a regional Australian community on how to care for its water. Read the case study, inspect the data, then make evidence-based recommendations. Respect that First Nations peoples are diverse, with distinct Countries, knowledge and responsibilities.

Case study: Water on Walan Country

Walan is a fictional inland community in Australia. A river, wetlands and a shallow groundwater source support people, farms, native plants and animals. The Traditional Owners have cared for this Country over many generations. Their knowledge includes observing seasonal changes and caring for places with cultural significance. Some knowledge and site details are not public and should only be shared with permission. After several dry years, the river is low. The community council is considering ways to reduce water use while protecting ecosystems and cultural places.

1.From the case study, name two different ways the river and wetlands support life or community activities. Explain one connection between them.

2.Which statement best describes custodianship in the case study?

Using as much water as possible while it is available
Caring for Country and water through responsibilities passed across generations
Keeping all water knowledge secret from everyone
Treating a river only as a resource for farms

3.Why should the council seek guidance and permission from the Traditional Owners before publishing details about culturally significant water places?

Water-use snapshot

The council estimates daily water use in the community as follows. Values are fictional and are included for this activity.

Households: 35%

Farming: 40%

Businesses and public services: 15%

Parks and other uses: 10%

4.Which category uses the largest share of water, and what percentage does it use?

5.What percentage of water use is not farming? Show or explain how you worked it out.

6.Match each term with its best meaning. Write the letter beside each term.

A. Conservation
B. Sustainability
C. Cultural significance
D. Water security

2. Protecting and carefully using water to reduce waste
4. Reliable access to enough safe water
3. Importance a place or practice holds within a culture
1. Using resources in ways that can continue into the future

7.The council proposes fixing leaking pipes and helping farms use efficient irrigation. Give one likely benefit of each action, including a benefit for the river or wetland.

8.True or false: Because the water-use figures show farming takes the largest share, the council should make all conservation decisions without consulting farmers or Traditional Owners.

9.Imagine the council has funding for only one project this year: repair leaking pipes, install efficient irrigation, or restore native plants along the riverbank. Choose one priority and justify it with a reason from the case study. Mention one group or feature that should be considered in the decision.

10.Write a two-sentence message for the community noticeboard: one practical water-saving action and one reason caring for water matters to both people and Country.