Charles Sturt University's Thurgoona Campus has been honoured by the NSW Minister for Land and Water Conservation and Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Richard Amery, with an award that places it among the "best of the best".

The University will receive a RiverCare 2000 Award for Excellence for outstanding work and contribution to environmental projects, as shown by the stormwater and landscape management project at Thurgoona.

On announcing the award, Mr Amery has made special mention this year of groups and individuals who have "participated in the RiverCare 2000 program over the last six years, with outstanding projects which have continually met the aims of the program".

According to CSU's Director of Design, Ms Marci Webster-Mannison, Thurgoona is being developed as a comprehensive learning experience that demonstrates ecologically sustainable design and management.

"The landscape character of the campus reflects the rural and social environments of the region. It is full of teaching and demonstration opportunities for the environmental science and park management courses offered by the University," Ms Webster-Mannision said.

The Thurgoona Campus Task Force, headed by Ms Webster-Mannision, aims to identify the actions necessary for CSU to manage the campus as an exemplary model of environmental design and education.

The site includes integrated systems that minimise water pollution, recycle water wherever possible and reduce demand for mains water. Artificial watercourses collect and treat storm water and artificial wetlands treat and re-use water from kitchen and showers to irrigate the grounds around the campus. Campus buildings incorporate dry composting toilets, which use no water. Former farmland surrounding the buildings has been extensively sown with plants native to the Murray Basin, which also require little additional water.

RiverCare 2000 is a NSW Government initiative to encourage communities to work on projects that would help the health of the state's rivers.

Mr Amery will present the award to the University at a ceremony at the Squarehouse, University of NSW, Randwick this Wednesday 13 December, commencing at 1pm.