Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Flooding

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) — such as re-vegetating riverbanks, restoring wetlands, and leaky weirs — are increasingly used to reduce flood risk and deliver co-benefits like improved water quality and biodiversity. Unlike built infrastructure, NbS requires a broader, more nuanced approach to monitoring and evaluation. This project supports the development of an M&E platform for a pilot NbS project in rural NSW, extending an existing urban-focused app to rural catchments. The aim is to have a platform ready by end of 2026, when the pilot's implementation phase is due to complete. Students with backgrounds in environmental science, natural disasters, data analysis, citizen science, or remote sensing are most suited.

Students will build practical skills in M&E of natural ecosystems for flood mitigation, including applied research, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. They will assess environmental monitoring tools and metrics, advise on M&E strategy for a specific pilot site, and learn to work as part of a cross-institutional, social-impact focused team.

Students are required to:

• Review the national NbS for flooding guidelines (M&E chapter) via the ICEDS ANU website
• Review the 2025 M&E strategy for the Terania Creek NbS project (provided)
• Familiarise themselves with the existing app under development at our-verge.vercel.app
• Review the social network map for NSW Northern Rivers environmental groups
• Submit a brief EOI and CV as part of their Course Pathway Plan (due Week 2) for partner approval

A final report covering: key metrics and indicators for the pilot location; data sources, roles and responsibilities for M&E; recommendations for citizen science engagement; and an evaluation of the existing app's suitability for scaling to other NbS projects. Students will also contribute to ongoing data entry in the app and support design and interface testing as needed.

Students will work alongside a cross-university team responsible for all technical changes to the app platform. The project is anchored in a live pilot in NSW, with direct opportunities to engage with the delivery team on the ground.