IMPROVING the health and wellbeing of the Bremer River is the focus of a new program involving Ipswich schools.

MYRiveR Bremer aims to let students get their hands dirty and expand their minds in the name of science and helping the river.

Council Environment and Conservation Committee chairwoman Heather Morrow said it was an exciting partnership between local groups committed to great environmental education for young people.

The program is the result of a partnership between the council, the Bremer River Fund, the International River Foundation and OzGreen.

"The Bremer is special to all of us and so, when an opportunity to incorporate hands-on learning for students and real action to improve the Bremer, council leapt at it," Cr Morrow said.

"This program means young people will work with environmental experts to inspect the Bremer's quality, identify threats to its health and develop solutions.

"Field work will form a vital part of this program, giving students a taste of river quality testing, biodiversity assessment and measuring ecological footprint.

"Local schools will then come together for a local Youth River Congress to discuss their findings and to formulate action plans and implement them.

"Throughout this entire process, young people will be supported by experts and scientists from OzGreen specialist environmental education group."

Cr Morrow said the program had run successfully in the Murray Darling Basin, Hunter River and Yarra River catchments.

Five schools are involved - Bundamba State Secondary College, Ipswich State High School, Ipswich Girls' Grammar School, St Edmund's College and Bremer State High School - but OzGreen is seeking other schools to participate.

For more information or to register for the program, call OzGreen on (02) 6655 2180 or visit ozgreen.org.au.