conservation – City of Joondalup

A day in the life of a turtle tracker

Bryan and Jan Saunders have fallen in love with our cute, long-necked resident reptiles. We don’t blame them because how could you not fall in love with Southwestern snake-necked turtles?

Volunteers like Bryan and Jan, who dedicated their time to turtle tracking by walking around Lake Joondalup, spotting female turtles and protecting their nests, have contributed to saving 145 nests and 294 nesting female turtles through the City’s 2023 turtle tracking program.

With such great outcomes from last year’s nesting season, the City will be participating in the turtle tracking program for a second year in 2024, and we need more volunteers than ever to help save these fascinating turtles from becoming extinct.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes? Bryan and Jan think you definitely do.

Keep reading to learn more about a day in the life of a turtle tracker, the time involved, and what you might get up to when volunteering for such a beneficial cause.

Jan Saunders escorting a turtle back to Lake Joondalup.

Turtles face hurdles to lay their nests, and they need our help

Southwestern snake-necked turtles (Yaakan) are residents of Yellagonga Regional Park, but their numbers are in steady decline. They are very important animals in our wetland ecosystem as apex predators, and they are crucial for biodiversity and insect control. As a near-threatened species, they need our help to restore their populations.

Nesting season occurs from September through to November when mother turtles begin their risky journey to lay their eggs in a suitable nesting spot, which can often be up to 100 metres away from the lake’s edge. Female turtles often need to cross over footpaths and main roads to find a suitable spot to lay their eggs. As a result, nesting turtles and their hatchlings are susceptible to threats such as vehicle, bike or pedestrian strikes or predation from foxes, birds, dogs and cats as they make their way to/from the lake. Their nests are also often destroyed by birds and foxes.

The City joined the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle (SOSNT) project to help protect and restore turtle populations within Yellagonga Regional Park. The project is run in partnership with the City of Wanneroo and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in collaboration with Murdoch University and the Perth South West Group, funded by Lotterywest.

As part of a Friends Group, Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel, Bryan and Jan have first-hand experience seeing the predation of turtles and turtle nests. When they saw the City participating in the SOSNT turtle tracking program, they wanted to get involved and make a positive difference by doing what they could to save the turtles around Lake Joondalup and Beenyup Swamp.

Left: a predated turtle nest with broken turtle eggs surrounding the nest. Right: a female Southwestern snake-necked turtle on her way back to Lake Joondalup after laying her eggs.

A day in the life of tracking turtles

Being a trained Turtle Tracker involves working with the team to patrol the Yellagonga Wetlands and protect female turtles while they journey to find their perfect nesting spot and then back again to the lake. Turtle Trackers use materials to protect the nests, preventing them from being dug up and destroyed by predators such as cats and foxes.

For Bryan and Jan, turtle tracking was a project that fit perfectly into their pre-existing daily routine.

They were already enjoying a daily walk around the lake, so during the nesting season, they just ensured they were looking out for any turtles, covering nests and helping nesting turtles back to the lake.

Bryan and Jan dedicated about five hours per week to the program during the last season, but they note that other volunteers could opt to do only weekend work or a couple of hours here and there where it suited them. There was no time commitment required, and trained volunteers had access to a roster and simply filled out a time that worked for them each week.

Bryan covering up a turtle nest to protect it from predation from foxes, cats, dogs and birds.

Due to their experience managing volunteer work, Bryan and Jan went the extra mile. They did great work managing the volunteer roster for their area and filled in for volunteers who were not able to make their rostered times. They also kept spare materials at their house for volunteers to access in case they ran out.

During the nesting season, rainy days could trigger a ‘mass nesting’ event in the park, where many turtles could be on the move at one time. Bryan, Jan and other turtle tracker volunteers could dedicate extra time during these mass nesting events to help the female turtles make their journey to their nesting site. The online chat group helped communicate these mass nesting events to other volunteers, and it was a great opportunity for turtle trackers who had not yet seen a turtle come to the lake and help them.

Bryan and Jan also helped promote the Turtle SAT app and TurtleSAT website to encourage the wider community to record turtle and nest sightings. Anyone in the community can record this information, which is crucial for monitoring turtle populations throughout the park.

Bryan using the TurtleSAT app to record turtle and turtle nest sightings around the lake.

A volunteer project where you can see the difference

When asked about the most rewarding part of being involved in the program, Bryan said that the training session was valuable in helping them understand the scale of the issue and the population decline of turtles.

“Having that understanding helps really bring a sense of achievement when you do something as simple as walking with a female turtle back to the lake. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it is so rewarding, and the impact on future turtle generations can be huge.”

Our amazing turtle tracking team in 2023/24. Bryan Saunders is pictured in the middle front with his hands in the air.

So, you want to be a turtle tracker?

“Getting involved as a turtle tracker is an easy and enjoyable way of helping nature and getting a bit of exercise into your routine. Attending the turtle training session first is important as it gives you a full understanding of the significant issues turtles have to deal with and how we can help them,” says Bryan.

Now you’ve heard all the benefits – how can you get involved?

First you need to attend a compulsory turtle training session before you can become a turtle tracker volunteer. A turtle information and training night is being held on Tuesday 20 August 2024, 6pm.

After the turtle information and training session, you will be ready to contribute to protecting a very important native animal in our wetland system. You will also be able to spend time with other like-minded people not only enjoying but protecting our iconic Yellagonga Regional Park.

Learn more about our Southwestern snake-necked turtles, other ways to Protect our wildlife, the Wetlands in the City, and other Wildlife Warriors involved in the turtle tracker program.

Meet the Wildlife Warriors of Yellagonga Regional Park

Volunteers with the Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park (FOY) have been caring for and rehabilitating biodiversity across Yellagonga Regional Park for more than 30 years! They do amazing work to protect the wildlife and flora and encourage biodiversity within our natural areas.

What started as a small residents group motivated to rehabilitate the old farming lands in 1990, the group has now grown to over 100 casual and 40 weekly volunteers that participate in the rehabilitation of Yellagonga Regional Park every single week! The group is a not-for-profit and non-government conservation organisation with the mission of ensuring long-term environmental sustainability with compatible human use.

FOY not only undertakes a remarkable effort to introduce more Indigenous flora for the nourishment of wildlife throughout Yellagonga Regional Park; but also to enhance the area’s biodiversity.

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park celebrate their 30th Anniversary

Achieving 30 years of environmental protection

Over the years, the FOY have achieved a huge amount to protect the natural area. Since their beginning in the 1990s, the group has consistently removed countless invasive and non-native flora planted during European settlement and farming days, such as Canna Lilys, Pepper Trees, Olive Trees and Castor Oil Bushes.

In 2010, bat boxes were installed all across Yellagonga Regional Park by the group, some of which you might see installed on trees as you walk around the Regional Park today! In 2018 for their 25^th Anniversary, the group received a grant and certificate of appreciation from the Major of the City of Joondalup. In 2019 the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) granted the group funding to install nine ‘cockatubes’ throughout the park which provide homes for the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. All these great achievements were reflected on and celebrated at their recent 30^th birthday celebration.

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park have shared that even their many smaller milestones make them proud. They dedicate their brilliant work to their volunteers that help improve biodiversity and vegetation condition by planting native species and removing weeds.

Saving turtles

FOY have recently joined the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle program to protect the turtles in the Yellagonga wetlands. Recent studies have shown that female turtles are often killed while trying to nest, and very few juveniles survive each nesting season. Because of this, the turtle population in the Yellagonga wetlands is declining.

As a part of the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle program, the FOY will patrol the Yellagonga wetlands over Spring and protect nesting females and their nests, as well as logging data using the TurtleSAT App.

Turtles prefer to dig their nests and lay their eggs in more natural areas, surrounded by native plants. While travelling to their nest location, they would normally seek shelter from predators, like birds, under the cover of native vegetation. However, some areas around the Yellagonga wetlands were cleared for farming in the past and are now open grassed parks. FOY actively replant and reforest sections of the Regional Park, which provides nesting locations for turtles, as well as providing shelter from predators for female turtles and their hatchlings.

Turtles bury their eggs on land, usually near wetlands in the warmer months. The eggs hatch several months later, and the babies make their way to the water where they begin their lives. Unfortunately, nesting turtles leave a scent trail which attracts foxes, and they dig up the eggs. Turtle eggs and hatchlings are also vulnerable to uncontained domestic pets, humans walking/cycling through bushland areas and other wildlife.

FOY works alongside the 1Million Turtle Program and the Saving our Snake-necked Turtles (SOSNT) teams to promote awareness of vulnerable species and try to protect the turtles from becoming a threatened or endangered species. The group uses the TurtleSAT app to record where the nests are and report nests that have been destroyed. This year, the group is supported by the Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo, the DBCA and SOSNT to start a nest protection program.

Turtles are more likely to nest in dense flora close to the water’s edge, so the group also conducts planting closer to the lake to encourage turtles to stick to the area rather than journeying through risky open grassed areas or across roads.

Acting Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park Chairperson, Guy Austin-Crowe, using TurtleSAT app at Yellagonga Regional Park

Everyone can become a Citizen Scientist! You can help protect the Southwestern snake-necked turtles by downloading the TurtleSAT App and record any sightings or damaged nests that you see. The data you provide will give a meaningful record and can be used to highlight the problem and to help save our turtles.

Emerging threats to our wetlands

FOY advocates for the Park in decision-making processes and educates the community about the area to protect and conserve it. Yellagonga Regional Park is an important area for environmental conservation and biodiversity. Some of the threats to Yellagonga Regional Park include that local fauna are lacking food sources and safe nesting places. FOY conducts revegetation to provide more food and nesting habitat for native fauna.

Water levels are rising in the lake, which is causing the paper bark trees (Melaleucas) to uproot as they are no longer having a dry period over summer. The uprise in water levels is due to deforestation and suburban sprawl north of the regional park with the underground aquifer diverting its water to our lakes. FOY have begun to plant paper bark trees further back from the water’s edge to begin the revegetation process.

Feral animals such as foxes and cats are preying upon native animals in the Park. Animals native to the area, such as swamp hens, Quendas, Southwestern snake-necked turtles, ground-nesting water birds, Bobtail lizards, Goannas, Rakali and snakes are becoming threatened and are at risk of extinction, partly due to predation from these animals. The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo and DBCA conduct regular fox control in the Park to reduce the number of foxes.

Fox caught on wildlife camera in Yellagonga Regional Park

How can you help?

Plant locally native species in your garden that will provide food and habitat for fauna.
Allow spaces, such as rockeries, for reptiles to live safely in your garden.
Switch to environmentally friendly ways to fertilize and weed your garden and consider using home-made environmentally friendly fertilizers such your own home compost system or hand weeding methods.
Consider using rodenticide-free baits and chemical-free, humane options against pests to avoid second generation poisoning.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times and keep cats enclosed on your property to prevent negative impacts to native fauna.
If you see feral animals in the regional park, download the free app ‘feralscan’ to record your sighting. The app is nationwide, which helps researchers to gather further data to feral animal locations and populations.
Pick up rubbish and don’t litter. You could aim to take 3 pieces of additional rubbish with you when you leave any natural area – it all makes a difference!
Get involved with your local environment group to help reduce weeds, improve biodiversity and revegetate areas, as well as raising awareness and showing that people care!

The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park welcome people of all ages and abilities to their workdays. It is an opportunity to meet new people, exercise and enjoy nature. The team shares knowledge and experiences and will train anyone new to the group. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a difference. The Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park have made a great difference to the Park over the last 30 years, and more volunteers will help them continue their amazing work!

Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park and volunteers at the Tanah Close site after completing a workday of planting and weeding

Don Poynton of Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore

Don Poynton is a local environmental leader and has been volunteering in the City for 24 years across a number of different environmental community groups to conserve and restore the coastline and natural areas (Image Credit: Dee Farrell).

Local action on the coast

As Coordinator of Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore (FONORIF), Don has helped oversee the weeding and planting of native plants in the Iluka Foreshore Reserve, part of Bush Forever site 325. The group also helps educate the community about the environment by installing signage, running guided walks and more recently holding events and displays.

FONORIF was formed out of the Joondalup Community Coast Care Forum Inc (JCCCF), an umbrella organisation for several of the City’s coast care groups, which started in 1999 to represent the many interests along the coast. The local group was created when Ocean Reef resident Dr Marjorie Apthorpe and a few like-minded residents from adjacent suburbs came together to look after part of the coastal reserve between Ocean Reef and Burns Beach.

Don is currently the Chair of the JCCCF which now acts as a community reference group for monitoring issues and initiating action along the City’s coastal strip.

Since 2014, Don has also been volunteering with Friends of Carnaby Reserve to undertake restoration projects in Carnaby Reserve (formerly Medinah Park) with the help of the City’s Natural Areas Team. He is also the Chairman of the Northern Suburbs Branch of the WA Naturalists’ Club and was the Treasurer of the Friends of Marmion Marine Park for many years.

In 2022, Don received a special commendation in the Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence for championing the natural environment and its importance to the community, providing leadership and advocacy, and encouraging community participation in coast care activities.

Why volunteer?

Don said that he is motivated to volunteer in these groups because he cares about the local amenity and biodiversity and enjoys working outside.

“I hate seeing weeds in public places! I love being outdoors. I like working in the best ‘open-plan’ office in the world! I appreciate the diversity that exists at Iluka and want to ensure it is maintained and if possible increased,” says Don.

He also enjoys learning and knowledge sharing and working with the other volunteers saying that:

“I find there is always something new to discover or learn. I like to impart what knowledge I have, to others who are interested. I enjoy the company of the people I volunteer with.”

The coastal bushland offers a range of unique and beautiful local species that you can appreciate across the different seasons says Don.

“There are so many beautiful and fascinating species of plants, fungi, birds and insects, it’s impossible to have a favourite. Winter brings out the cup fungi and the tiny earthstars. In Spring the male fairy wrens show off their colours and iridescent blue-green jewel beetles can be found crawling over the yellow buttercups.”

Tackling local environmental issues

Through Don’s volunteer work with FONORIF he tackles a range of environmental issues. These include feral species control of feral and domestic cats and foxes, weed species including the One-leaf Cape Tulip, Wild Pink Gladiolus and Veldt Grass, and the destruction of native vegetation and sand dunes through unauthorised entry to the coast.

Changes on the ground

There have been many positive changes to the local environment as a result of FONORIF’s work explains Don.

“Many areas within the 30 hectares looked after by FONORIF have been rehabilitated since the group began. These include areas around the Iluka Foreshore Park to areas not seen by or accessible to the public.”

Don is also proud of the group’s Iluka Foreshore Macroinvertebrate and Herpetofauna Survey, partially funded by the City’s Community Funding Program, run over 3 years that recorded more than 550 macroinvertebrate and 14 reptile species.

More recently, Don helped to organise a Free Family Discovery Morning to educate the community about the diversity of local flora and fauna and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. Around 500 members of the community attended the event throughout the day and participated in guided beach, bird, biodiversity and bush tucker walks and learnt more about the local environment through environmental displays. The event was funded through one of the City’s Community Funding Program grants, a donation from the Iluka Homeowners Association and FONORIF.

Iluka Foreshore before revegetation — Iluka Foreshore in 2004 before restoration (Image Credit: Don Poynton)

Iluka Foreshore 2016 — Iluka Foreshore in 2016 after restoration (Image Credit: Don Poynton)

You can play a role

FONORIF and other Friends Groups play an important role in local environmental management and work closely with the City’s Natural Areas Team explains Don.

“Friends Groups can become the eyes and ears of the environment. As we spend all our time involved in on-ground work, we become more aware of issues that arise in our own patches e.g. an outbreak of a priority weed in a patch of bush that would not be visited by Natural Areas staff.”

Don said community members can help take action in their local environment by starting a Friends Group or joining an existing group.

“The City has over one hundred natural areas but less than twenty have Friends Groups. It would be great to see this number increase but if people would like to help but are not willing to start a group they should join an existing group.”

Getting more young people involved in the Friends Groups is also important said Don.

“It is noticeable that nearly all the existing volunteers fall into the “seniors” category and that very few young people are involved. The groups and the City need to promote the natural areas so people understand how important it is to look after them, not just for biodiversity but for their education and lifestyle, including mental health, values.”

How can I get involved?

The Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore and Friends of Carnaby Reserve are always looking for volunteers and members to join in their regular activities. To volunteer in these groups contact:

Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore: ilukacoastcarejoondalup@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/238527943276186

Friends of Carnaby Reserve: tyrglanyrafon@hotmail.com

The City also has seventeen other Friends Groups you can volunteer with. For more information and contact details visit the City’s website.