Earthblog

Below is information about projects that have been completed in the last few years. For information on projects undetaken prior to 2006 please contact the WMG office.

‘Coastal Cultures’ was a partnership between West Midlands Group, the Green Head Coastcare Group and the Jurien Bay Regional Herbarium to bring renowned Botanical Artist and fungi expert, Katrina Syme to the area to assist these community groups and other interested community members in extending their skills and knowledge.

Botanical Art workshop: The Green Head Coasrcare Group were very keen to gain a different perspective on their coastal environment. As the group has an excellent knowledge of coastal plant species and a two-day botanical painting workshop would be a practical and manageable medium to start their creative development.

In Green Head over the 17th and 18th of August Katrina took 12 participants through the basic techniques of botanical art- the importance of proportion and placement, mixing of colours, application, care of brushes and equipment. It was a wonderful learning environment with Katrina also sharing her experience of being a self-taught artist, the mistakes she made along the way and how she overcame the isolation of being a regionally based artist.

Fungi workshop: Fungi is a very specific form of native flora and little known about fungi species north of Perth. The one-day workshop was to equip members of the coastal community with the skills and knowledge to collect, mount and prepare fungi specimens for Fungimap and Perth herbarium.

15 participants started the workshop with a morning field foray in Mount Lesueur National Park. The region had experienced good rain in the days prior to the workshop so there was an abundance of fungi present. Katrina demonstrated how to take field photographs, note important field information and collect samples .Over 20 samples were collected and taken back to the DEC Jurien Bay office for analysis and identification. During the afternoon participants were shown how to analyze, document and take spore prints of the specimens.

Mobiles 4 Trees- Sandalwood Cost-Share Project

Location: Dandaragan, Badgingarra and Eneabba, WA

Project Dates: 2009

Funding: $14,200 Landcare Australia's Mobile Muster Program

Project Partners: Northern Agricultural Catchment Council; Forrest Products Commission

Mobiles 4 Trees is a cost-share project that offers farmers an alternative crop option that will provide environmental benefits (increasing on-farm biodiversity and decreasing the impact of wind erosion) whilst providing a long-term source of income.

In 2009 three land managers in the West Midlands region were offered the opportunity to plant between 1 and 3 hectares of Sandalwood on their property. The selected landholders have planted Acacia species as host trees at a rate of 1,250 stems/ ha. In 2010/ 2011 land managers will plant the sandalwood seed on the established host trees.

Sandalwood seed can be harvested on an annual basis once the tree reaches four years of age. The tree itself can be harvested for oil between 20 and 25 years.

Vern Westbrook Trail Upgrade

Location: Badgingarra, WA

Project Dates: 2009

Funding: $10,000 Lotterywest grant

Project Partners: Badgingarra Primary School; Badgingarra Community Association

The Vern Westbrook Wildflower and Heritage Trail in Badgingarra is a tribute to highly-respected and much-loved Badgingarra community member, Mr. Vernon Westbrook. The trail is a popular tourist spot particularly during the wildflower season. 

Badgingarra Community Association (BCA) were paramount in developing the trail which was opened in 2001 and have remained as it’s the caretakers. Some of the signs were destroyed in a bush fires which went through the trail in 2002, just nine months after it was opened

BCA and West Midlands Group, with funding from Lotterywest, developed a collaborative community project to give the trail a much needed freshen-up in time for the 2009 wildflower season.

Students at Badgingarra Primary School researched and interpreting through art the flora, fauna and heritage aspects of the trail. Community artist and BCA member, Sara Kenny then utilised the student’s work to develop the new signs for the trail. A new trail booklet was also developed by BPS student Erica Mitchell and features artwork by Sara Kenny and Allan Whittome.

A community celebration was held at the trail on the 8th of September 2009 to re-open the trail and launch the revamped signage and booklet.

Yuccan (Turtle) Restoration Project

Location: Dandaragan, WA

Project Dates: 2009

Funding: $14,639 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 9

Project Partners: Peter Moore

This project restored and protected an important Yuccan (turtle) wetland on private property. The wetland has significance to the local Yued people as a camp and water source. The wetland has be silted and degraded by livestock and erosion over many years.

Two kilometres of fencing was erected to exclude stock from the wetland and a program of weed control continues to take place. A wildlife corridor was established to link the wetland with other remnant vegetation on the property.

This project aims to improve the water quality within the wetland and encourage fauna including turtles back.

Yuccan Tree Planting

Location: Dandaragan, WA

Project Dates: 2009

Funding: $780.00 Yates Junior Landcare Program

Project Partners: Dandaragan Primary School; Peter Moore

On Friday 24th July, Dandaragan Primary School experienced a wonderful day of Aboriginal culture and tree planting at a local Aboriginal Heritage site. The ‘Yuccan Tree Planting Day’ was part of a larger project managed by West Midlands Group to restore and rehabilitate the registered Aboriginal Heritage site.

Students sat on the banks of the beautiful wetland and listened intently as South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council Officer, Brendan Moore and Yuat Elder, Debbie Moore talked about Aboriginal culture and the significance of the site to the local Yuat people. Brendan explained how Yuat people came to the site for Yuccan (turtles) as part of their seasonal migration which saw families move to the coast for the summer months. Unfortunately, it was a bit cool (and a bit noisy) for Yuccan and none were spotted on the day!

Students then planted trees to create a wildlife corridor to link up vegetation in the wetland with other remnant vegetation on the property.  The year 6/7class impressed staff from the West Midlands Group with their enthusiasm, planting 400 trees in 20 minutes!

Establishing Best Practice Process for Aboriginal Heritage Site Management for Coastal Rehabilitation at Greenhead WA

Location: Greenhead, WA

Project dates: 2009

Funding: $27,000 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 9

Project Partners: Greenhead Community Association

The Greenhead Community Association (GCA) approached the West Midlands to seek funding for the rehabilitation of the Dynamite Bay coast line, around to little Anchorage Bay.

The Coroow Shire and the GCA decided that a cohesive approach was the most sustainable strategy, and so local Architect, Stephan Vigilante was contracted to create a strategic plan for the whole coastal stretch. whole area so a cohesive approach could be devised between the Greenhead Community Association and the Coorow Shire. The project was broken up into sections; the first section.

The CGA and West Midlands Group successfully applied for funds to rehabilitate the first of four sections of the coastal plan. This section includes an Aboriginal artefacts site.

The Greenhead community members and Coroow Shire Councillors have undertaken Aboriginal consultation and participated in Aboriginal Heritage Act training. The following on-ground work has been implemented:

• Fencing erected to close off unused tracks
• 425 square meters of revegetation established to reduce the risk of erosion
• 1,200 square meters of brushing placed to encourage new vegetation growth and to deter human movement on the dune.

Creating Corridors Along Reed Road

Location: Three Springs, WA

Project Dates: 2009

Funding: $11,061 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 9

Project Partners: Neil & Cathy Reid; Three Springs Shire

This is the first stage of a two stage roadside revegetation program. Stage one focuses on revegetating the saline affected Reed RD plants endemic to the area. The aim of revegetating these road verges is two-fold: there will be increased area of habitat for wildlife movement between the two remnants; and the deep, high water using, native vegetation, will have a positive impact on the valley floor.

A seed collection community day was held at the project site in 2007, which raised awareness of the project within the community.

On-ground work is currently in progress with baiting and spraying of the site completed and tree planting is also part-way through Stage 2 incorporates revegetation of Nebru and Hydraulic Road’s which will link the wildlife corridors together.

Location: Indoon Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2006

Funding: $38,590.91 Australian Government Community Water Grants

Project Partners: Lake Indoon Catchment Managament Group; Phil Cooper; John Willmott; Brian White; Iluka Resources

Lake Indoon has significant biological importance as a drought refuge for fauna and is a stopover for migratory birds, as well as being popular as a recreational destination.  This project focused on improving the water quality entering the Lake Logue-Indoon system of freshwater and brackish lakes listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.

In order to achieve this, farmers in this catchment planted over 550 hectares of perennial grasses, saltbush and trees in the saline areas and riparian zones. The species planted have improved the quality of water entering the system, as well as decreasing evaporation and recharge.

Over 500 ha of land with low agricultural value due to salinity, waterlogging and erosion has now been returned to productive feed sources for stock .  The Lake Indoon catchment has also moved towards being a more ecologically diverse system as a result of the project.

Combating Erosion in the Warradarge Catchment – National Landcare Program $80,000

Location: Warradarge Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2007-2008

Funding: $80,000 Australian Government National Landcare Program

Project Partners: John & Judith Browne; William Browne; Kelvin Sewell

This project focused on reducing the damage that was being done to farms in the Warradarge catchment as a result of wind and water erosion.

In order to achieve this, a two-stage perennials planting program was rolled out. The perennial grasses planted include fine cut Rhodes, Gatton Panic, Signal Grass and Splendia Seteria. As the second stage of planting the farmers trialled tagasaste and the native shrub rhagodia, and employed an innovative method of sowing perennial grasses in between rows of tagasaste.

The results have been two fold: the perennials have significantly reduced wind and water erosion and have flourished with the summer rain; The deep roots of the perennials also have the additional benefit of a greater access to water, coping much better in periods of low rainfall, in comparison to their annual pastures.

The perennials have turned land which was once prone to erosion and therefore of little value, into highly productive pastures that are sustainable in the long term.

Kerry Downs Lakes Protection

Location: Agaton Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2007-2008

Funding: $20860 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 8

Project Partners: Richard Hamilton and Ben McTaggart

The purpose of this project was to fence and rehabilitate two lakes. The larger of the lakes had been open to grazing and had been utilized as a water source for stock for many years. The smaller lake is located only 400 meters away in natural bushland.

This project enabled the farmer to fence off the lakes and the remnant vegetation connecting them. Two solar pumps have been installed and additional water points established, which has allowed the farmer continued access to the water for stock. Baiting and weed control was also undertaken at the site.

This project has had significant environmental and production benefits for the property. Native species have regenerated and the native fauna have increased access to the natural water source. In addition the farmer has seen a decrease in crop damage by kangaroos and emus and has been able to continue to utilize the lakes as a water source for their stock, without degrading the native vegetation.

Nambung Farms, Creek and Native Bush Protection

Location: Mullering Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2007-2008

Funding: $46,700 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 8

Project Partners: Tony White (Brian White Family Trust)

This was another successful round 8 application, aiming to protect native bush adjacent to the Nambung National Park from stock access and degradation. Through fencing and restricting stock access, the waterway running through the farm has been protected.

Fencing has been erected to protected the creek line throughout the property and stock crossings have been established. Alternative water points have allowed the landowner to continue to utilize the creek as a water source, without degrading the system or water quality. Weed control was also important in this project as it reduced the risk of fire, and also allowed for the increased regeneration of native vegetation.

Water flowing into the Nambung National Park and eventually into the Indian Ocean will be of better quality due to restriction of stock and regeneration of natural riparian vegetation. This project is now completed; however ongoing fence maintenance and control of stock access will be undertaken by the landowner to ensure the ongoing success of the project.

Fencing and Revegetation of the Headwaters of the Arrowsmith River

Location: Arrowsmith Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2007-2008

Funding: $38,053 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 8

Project Partners: Dennis Stokes

The purpose of the project was to protect the riverbanks at the head of the Arrowsmith River from stock and manage erosion that was silting the river. A program of fencing, perennial planting and  installing seepage interceptor channels was rolled out with the aim of improving water quality, preventing erosion, reducing the rising groundwater tables and salinity and provide habitat for native fauna. 

In total 9 kilometres of fencing was erected to exclude stock from both sides of the riverbanks and four seepage sites were planted with Rhagodia. In addition, 20,000 native species were planted within the repatriation zone to limit the erosion and create wildlife corridors.

Fencing and Revegetation of a Tributary of the Arrowsmith River

Location: Arrowsmith Catchment, WA

Project Dates: 2006-2008

Funding: $20,273 Australian Government Envirofunds Round 8

Project Partners: Paul Bone (Tarramurra Trust)

This project enabled the landholder to protect the riverbanks of a tributary of the Arrowsmith River located on his farm. 6.6 kilometres of fencing was erected to exclude stock from both sides of the riverbanks and propagated native seedling were planted on both sides of the banks creating a wildlife corridor. These improvements have allowed the farmer to manage erosion of the riverbanks that were silting the river.

Weed control and rabbit baiting were also part of this program, which temporarily halt the spread of vermin and will limit the long-term spread of weeds down the river.

The expected long-term outcomes of this project are an improved water quality, reduction in the rates of groundwater tables and salinity, erosion prevention and increased habitat for native fauna.