About Mark Cachia

Hello I'm Mark Cachia and I am 18 years old and will be starting my first year in Environmental science in 2008 at Macquarie University. I have also just finished my last year at Epping Boys High School where I received major awards in Environmental monitoring and plant identification.

I have been interested in animals and plants since I was 3 years old, and have been part of many volunteer organisations in and out of school that are interested in conserving and protecting the local environment from future degradation.

Some of the organisations I have been involved in are:

• In school
  1. Streamwatch - This is a volunteer organisation that I did during sport on Wednesday Afternoons. This is a program organised by Sydney Water to allow them to monitor all water catchments in the Sydney area and other parts of NSW in conjunction with the Water Catchment Authority (WCA). As part of the Epping Boys High School (EBHS) Streamwatch team I collect water samples from local rivers and creeks to physically and chemically test for any pollutants or abnormalities that could be caused by dumping of hazardous materials or pollutants. We then upload these results onto the Streamwatch/Sydney Water database where the scientists of Sydney water and WCA use these results to inform the local councils who would take appropriate action. Namely fining a particular large company up to $10,000 for dumping excess materials into our waterways. As part of Streamwatch we also take part in the annual Streamwatch awards presentation, where Sydney Water congratulates and recognises the top 3 Streamwatch teams in the State for certain aspects such as monitoring and management. EBHS Streamwatch has gained the "Dolphin Award" for top in the state consistently since I've been here. In 2005 I also won the Highly commended Outstanding Streamwatch Participant Award for top in the State.
  2. Environmental Group - This group started when I became part of the school in year 7 and have been part of it ever since. As the Environmental leader for 4 years, I have planted over 5,000 trees alone and killed numerous weed species effectively and safely. I have also assisted in planning for recent school native gardens. With the Environmental Group I have also saved the Elderberry Panax from becoming extinct in the local area as one of the last stands of these trees was at our school.
  3. Energy and Water Management Group, which I created early last year. This year I was successful in obtaining  a $50,000 grant from the government for a 105,000L Water Tank for our school. The cost of this is supplemented by our fundraising efforts. We also got interviews with John Howard, and more recently Maxine McKew and Peter Garrett, to get them to support our cause and believe in what we were doing.
  4. Through my work with these groups I received the 2005 Macquarie University Environmental Award, for environmental excellence and commitment to conservation.

• In My Own Time
  1. YATZ(Youth at the Zoo). Various conservation projects, Bush regeneration along  the coastline, assisting zoo-keepers with daily duties and being a Roar & Snore overnight guide. I also do educational work with Zoo Adventurers, looking after primary school children, organising activities and and teaching them  about animals and conservation
  2. Hornsby Shire Bush Regeneration (Bush Care) – our efforts resulting in an increase in animal life (eg Powerful Owls) and an increase in plant life such as: a return of an abundance of little Red Gum Seedlings. The Shire has also been awarded first in the State for its Environmental Initiatives
  3. Selected as a 2006 EarthWatch Student Challenge Participant. Worked with the team in Kangaroo Island doing research tracking and recording important statistics on the Rosenburg's Goanna and Echidnas.

Through participating in all of these activities I was awarded the 2007 Green Ambassador Award, which is awarded to 20 young people across Australia aged 16-25 for environmental leadership and conservation in their school and/or local community. I received for my efforts: a digital camera, a cap, a certificate 1 in active volunteering and the chance to go to a 5 day conservation experience with CVA (Conservation Volunteers Australia). My 5 day conservation experience was in Atherton Tablelands working to revegetate the tropical rainforest, in which the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo lives in. Through this experience I learnt many different conservation practices, which I have now started to put in place in the many different volunteer organisations I am part of in Sydney.

So therefore overall I am a very reliable person and have had over 6 years experience in volunteer plant identification either as a hobby or as part of my Bushcare work.