Tag: environment

It’s Biodiversity Month

Biodiversity Month banner

September is National Biodiversity Month, which is an annual celebration of the natural environment and the life it provides Biodiversity Month is about encouraging the protection, conservation and growth of biodiversity worldwide.

The City is celebrating Biodiversity Month by running events and promotions to encourage the growth and preservation of biodiversity.

National Threatened Species Day is also held on 7 September each year celebrating our threatened species, such as the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, priority Quenda and near-threatened Southwestern snake-necked turtle.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity encompasses all living things on our planet and the vast ecosystems that make up our Earth. This includes all animals, plants, fungi, micro-organisms, minerals and even water. Humans, like all animals, depend on biodiversity, and without it, we would not be able to survive.

Biodiversity Month raises awareness of some of the threats to biodiversity, which include:

  • invasive species, such as plants, animals and diseases
  • ecosystem modification caused by land clearing, global warming, natural disasters, fire management and pollution
  • human population growth.

Australia is a group of only one of 17 ‘megadiverse’ countries. The megadiverse countries cover less than 10 per cent of the world’s area but have more than 70 per cent of its biodiversity.

Many of our plants, animals and places are unique and can’t be found anywhere else in the world. We are lucky to live in such a special place, and it’s important we protect and conserve our unique biodiversity.

Celebrate Biodiversity Month

The City is running multiple events throughout the next few months to celebrate the City’s biodiversity.

Jarrah Trail Self-Guided Walk Official Launch

Jarrah Trail self-guided walk official launch
Sunday 25 August 2024, 1pm-3pm

Bring your curiosity, sense of adventure, and smartphone to this wonderful opportunity to walk through the beautiful Warwick Bushland. The Jarrah Trail self-guided walk combines education with creativity, culture, history and natural wonders.

Book online

Discovery Session – Sustainable Pest Management
Monday 16 September 2024, 6pm-7.30pm

Invertebrates such as insects and spiders are vital for healthy ecosystems. Come along to our workshop to hear entomologist and urban ecologist Dr Lizzy Lowe, alongside David Piggott from Systems Pest Management WA, talk about the important jobs that invertebrates do in our gardens and how we can tell pests from a pal.

Book online

Discovery Outbound - Photo Walk

Discovery Outbound – Herdsman Lake photography walk
Friday 20 September, 9.15am-1.30pm

City of Joondalup Libraries’ Discovery Outbound program offers a wide range of activities and excursions for adults aged 50 and older that are active, creative, educational and entertaining.

Join photographer Michael Pelusey on a walk around Herdsman Lake, snapping photos of birdlife, scenery and flora. 

Book online

Morning birdwalk at Neil Hawkins Park
Saturday 21 September, 2024 8am-10am

Join Brendan Kinsella from Birdlife WA on a guided walk around Neil Hawkins Park. Learn to spot different bird species, how to conserve the local ecosystem and how community members can get involved in protecting wildlife. Includes refreshments and a Q and A, as part of the City’s Biodiversity Month celebrations.

Book online

Jack Bromell Art trail walking tour
Sunday 22 September 2024, 10am – 11.30am

Join us on a guided walk through Western Australia artist Jack Brommell’s mural trail that features some of the unique and biodiverse species that call the City home. This interactive experience will take you on a journey through Central Park Bushland, where you can also view the native wildflowers and wildlife on display during Djilba.

Book online

Discovery Session - Birds and Backyard Biodiversity

Discovery session – Birds and backyard biodiversity
Saturday 19 October 2024, 10am-11.30am

Join the brilliant Brendan from Birdlife WA for an im-peckable workshop about supporting birds and biodiversity in your own backyard. You will learn how to attract birds to your garden, how to tell pest parrot from native birds, and how you can help threatened and endangered species.

Book online

September school holiday program

Saturday 21 September-Sunday 6 October 2024

The fun doesn’t stop there! The City is running an extensive school holiday program full of fun celebrating all things nature and biodiversity. Events include a Spider Safari, Plant Prints, Native Wildlife Encounters and Aquatic Animals. Book online via Ticketbooth from Monday 9 September 2024.

How can we improve biodiversity?

Plant native species

Go native in your garden. Native plants support native wildlife, providing them with habitat by creating a food source and home. Native gardens can also provide stepping stones for local wildlife to safely move between green spaces and create habitat corridors in the urban environment.

Stay updated about our upcoming Native Plant Giveaway 2025 by subscribing to the City’s Sustainability eNewsletter.

Visit the Growing local native plants page to access native gardening resources.

Help increase our tree canopy

Native trees (whether living or dead) support biodiversity by providing habitats, such as hollows, for wildlife, providing a food source, and cooling temperatures around our homes. You can apply by filling out the City’s online application form to plant a street tree on your verge for free.

Weed them out

Weeds and common garden escapees can cause havoc on our natural environment, impacting food sources for wildlife and some non-native species can even be poisonous to native species and our waterways. When gardening, aim to plant natives and make sure you remove weeds responsibly.

Join a Friends Group

Friends Groups protect, enhance and improve biodiversity across the City’s natural areas. By joining your local Friends Group, you can participate in large-scale conservation projects and events that will make a huge difference in your local area.

Find out more about how you can get involved by visiting our Friends groups page.

 

Journey through Warwick Bushland with Dr Mark Brundrett

Dr Mark Brundrett is an ecologist, researcher and volunteer for the Friends of Warwick Bushland. 

Meet Mark Brundrett, a local resident who is an ecologist at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Western Australia Herbarium, and long-term volunteer for the Friends of Warwick Bushland. Mark has done fantastic work in natural area research and management and is a talented photographer and videographer. Keep reading to learn more about his journey and passion for our environment.

Working to protect our natural environment 

Mark’s interests have always been focused on conservation and environmental protection. Some of his recent research as a retired Associate Professor at UWA and Honorary Research Associate at the Western Australian Herbarium is on pollination ecology and evolution, orchid conservation, the impacts of fire in urban bushland and partnerships between plants and fungi.

Mark has contributed to conservation efforts for over 25 years with the Friends of Warwick Bushland, alongside his wife Karen Clarke. Karen is also an ecologist and established the Friends Group in 1999. Together they have been documenting the flora, fauna and fungi of the area, monitoring vegetation condition and assisting with the management of the reserve ever since.

Friends of Warwick Bushland 

Friends of Warwick Bushland (FoWB) work alongside the City of Joondalup to undertake bushland restoration by weed control and native plantings. The current focus for Mark as part of FoWB is making fire history maps, protecting orchids and prioritising weed control strategies.

The FoWB are fantastic at promoting the area and making Warwick Bushland an attractive destination for people of all ages. They have created exciting and educational public walking trails, such as their most recent Jarrah Trail, and in collaboration with the City installed lots of signage which makes walking through the bushland all the more enjoyable!

Friends of Warwick Bushland have recently established their Jarrah trail, showcasing history and information via QR codes on limestone blocks along an informative and educational walking trail.  

A day in the life of Mark Brundrett 

Despite being retired, Mark’s passion for the environment keeps him incredibly busy. He continues to undertake a number of scientific research projects.

He can often be found at his research site across the road from Warwick Bushland, where he works on his long-term study of orchid pollination, his orchid conservation project (more below) or helping write papers on orchid pollination and diversity trends in Perth. Mark also works with a graduate student at UWA to study Hare Orchids in Warwick Bushland.

On weekends, Mark volunteers at weeding and planting days in Warwick Bushland and often runs incredibly popular FoWB orchid and wildflower walks!

Mark undertaking field work for his research projects in Warwick Bushland (Photo by Karen Clarke). 

There is no doubt that Mark is an incredibly busy man, making the most out of his passion for our natural areas. It’s inspiring to see that he makes time to volunteer. People like Mark help important volunteer groups like the FoWB continue their great work.

Mark recommends anyone interested in volunteering to help out where they can, as every little bit can make a huge difference.

Friends Groups need as many members as possible to continue their work. Friends Group activities include planting, weeding, watering and rubbish removal. Learn more about how to join your local Friends Group here.

A picturesque paradise 

With Mark’s research site so close by, Warwick Bushland is the perfect place for him to pursue his passion for photography. Mark often photographs orchids, wildflowers and the abundance of interesting wildlife that can be found there.

“I observe the amazing details of wildflowers and rare interactions in nature, such as buzz pollination of certain flowers by native bees,” says Mark. 

Mark uses a photographic technique called focus stacking to reveal stunning and intricate details of wildflowers, such as Fringe Lily and orchids below. 

Fringe Lily image taken by Mark Brundrett using a ‘focus stacking’ technique. 

Mark also creates videos of the fascinating and beautiful act of orchid pollination, which can be found on his YouTube channel (details below). 

Fascinating fungi 

Mark, Karen and other fungi enthusiasts have documented very interesting fungi at Warwick Bushland too! Karen has uploaded fungus photos using the free citizen science app iNaturalist, and and these records contribute to the FungiMap project. iNaturalist is a great way to learn about nature, and to record weird or wonderful natural sightings in data repositories around the world. Karen’s sightings can also be seen on the Atlas of Living Australia.

Fungi at Warwick Bushland include the striking (but stinky) Colus pusillus (pictured below). This fungus, also known as Red Tentacles or Basket Stinkhorn is recognised by its vibrant red colour and foul smell. The rotting meat-like scent attracts insects to its slime, which then spread the fungus’ spores around, helping it to reproduce.

A Red Tentacle fungus (Colus pusillis) in Warwick Bushland.

Another interesting fungus is the Anthracobia melaloma. This type of fungi is part of a large group known as ‘Cup Fungi’, characterised by their disk or cup-shaped structure. These tiny fungi have small hairs around each cup’s edge and often cover ash beds after a bushfire.

Anthracobia melaloma (Cup Fungus) after a fire.

Karen and Mark used to run ‘Fungi Forays’ with Fungimap and later the Perth Urban Bushland Fungus Project at Warwick Bushland and as part of FoWB, often leading a Fungi Guided Walk each autumn. Unfortunately, with the lack of autumn rain this year it is unlikely a fungi walk will be offered in 2024. Look out in future years for FoWB’s guided fungi walks led by Mark to discover fungi and their fascinating facts! 

Orchid observations 

Mark’s favourite orchid is the beautiful Chestnut Sun Orchid (below). It has become very difficult to find anywhere else in Perth, but it can be found right on our doorstep at Warwick Bushland.

The stunning and locally rare Chestnut Sun Orchid (Thelymitra fuscolutea) at Warwick bushland. 

One of Mark’s long-term conservation projects focuses on the genetics of many different groups of orchid varieties to see how they grow, flower and persist over time with changes to the natural environment. He has also been examining the impacts of lower rainfall over the last few years. Mark will often share his knowledge and research findings during FoWB’s Orchid and Wildflower Walks which take place in spring each year.

The Caladenia discoidea, or Dancing Spider Orchid, (below) has a very unique strategy for pollination. It produces a pheromone which mimics a female Thynnid wasp. The scent attracts the orchid’s pollinator, a male Thynnid wasp, to pollinate the orchid. This type of pollination, called sexual deception, is risky as it requires a single insect species to be present at the time.

Caladenia discoidea (Dancing Spider Orchid) being pollinated by a male Thynnid wasp.

Mark’s favorite fauna species is the Western Bearded Dragon. It can be very elusive and they like to hide in Balga skirts, watching and observing passersby from a distance. Mark also likes to share what you can learn about other fauna species you might be lucky enough to find on the FoWB website. 

A Western Bearded Dragon hiding amongst a Balga (Grass Tree) skirt at Warwick Bushland.

Involving our youth

The FoWB, led by Stephanie Murphy, are encouraging younger people to get involved in taking care of natural areas and our environment.

The group often collaborate with the Warwick Scout Group and Cub Scouts for planting days and bushland clean-up days, such as their recent ‘Clean up Warwick Bushland’ event last month, and their upcoming Planting Day with Warwick Scouts and Cubs on Sunday 9 June 2024. Providing opportunities for young people to engage with their local bushland is the best way to develop a lasting passion and respect for the natural environment.

FoWB also encourage families to spend their weekends in the bushland. Whether that be helping at a planting, weeding or rubbish removal event with a local Friends Group or by enjoying a walk and learning about bushland, it all helps establish a lifelong connection and love for nature. All FoWB events are family friendly and are great weekend activities that everyone will enjoy.

All of the Point of Interest Walk Trails within Warwick Bushland are also family (and dog on lead) friendly and are a great way for people of all ages to learn more about the plants, animals and fungi of Warwick Bushland.

Warwick Scout Group showing some of the rubbish collected at the recent ‘Clean up Warwick Bushland’ event. 

Local patches of urban bushland 

Mark recommends getting involved with your local Friends Group by attending a guided walk or bushcare event. These events are perfect for starting to learn about interesting facts about your local bushland area, and the plants and wildlife that enjoy it. Attending one of these events also helps discover the huge impact that volunteering can make, and how our efforts can help protect and conserve wildlife and natural areas.

Get involved with FoWB through their website or Facebook page or subscribe to their newsletter to be notified about bushland events.

Mark Brundrett and Stephanie Murphy, Coordinator of Friends of Warwick Bushland, walking through Warwick Bushland. 

A New Holland Honeyeater enjoying the wonderful wildflowers of Warwick Bushland.

Sowing the seeds for a biodiverse future

Environmental degradation and climate change are two of the largest environmental issues facing our planet, and our younger generations will be the most affected by the challenges they bring.

Creating a more sustainable world now and for future generations depends on education, awareness and being readily available to take action. Poseidon Primary School is achieving this for its students, teachers, and parents through many great initiatives, such as its participation in Murdoch University’s Miyawaki Forest Program.

Miyawaki Forests

Miyawaki forests are small, densely planted forests comprised of endemic plant species. These forests encourage biodiversity, maturing rapidly to provide habitat more quickly than using traditional methods. These forests also help reduce urban temperatures, improve mental and physical well-being, and help to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The ‘Miyawaki Method’ was developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Professor Akira Miyawaki as a method to help reforest degraded and industrial landscapes. An adaptation of the method involves densely planting endemic species (determined through a species survey of local forests/bushland) in a small area, usually the size of a tennis court. A typical Miyawaki forest has approximately three to five plants per square metre, with around 30 or more endemic species. Due to this planting method, Miyawaki forests can grow into mature ecosystems in just 20 years, up to ten times faster than using traditional reforestation methods.

After the first two to three years, most Miyawaki forests require no maintenance and can provide up to 18 times greater biodiversity than using traditional planting methods.

Poseidon Primary School’s Pocket Forest

Poseidon Primary School was invited to participate in the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program developed and led by Dr Grey Coupland from the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University, who receives funding for forest planting activities from Carbon Positive Australia. The scientific and educational outreach program is funded by the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University. The program is recognised as one of UNESCO ‘Green Citizens’ programs outreach programs for 2022 and was a finalist in the Australian Museum’s Eureka Awards for “Innovation in Citizen Science.”

The program offers a practical, hands-on learning experience where children can plant and monitor their own forest as it matures. Students also investigate the local wildlife that enjoy the forest area. Dr Coupland runs formal lessons on topics including urban sustainability and rewilding as part of the program, which complements the school curriculum.

Poseidon Primary School’s pocket forest was planted by students in August 2022. The forest covers an area of 100m2 and contains 300 plants from 31 locally native species. Species such as Tar Bush (Eremophila glabra) and Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii), among others, were densely planted to grow fast with little maintenance required.

Coupland designed the forest to include access for the children and a central yarning circle where students and teachers can use the forest as an outdoor classroom.

  

From turf to biodiverse: Poseidon Primary School’s Miyawaki forest transformed a turfed area into a beautiful biodiverse forest consisting of over 300 locally native plants.

The biodiverse forest has attracted lots of different fauna species, such as native bees, lizards and birds. The forest is only 18 months old and has already shown rapid growth and is thriving in the small space.

Eddystone Primary School and South Padbury Primary School are also involved in the Miyawaki Forest Program with their established and thriving pocket forests, while Ocean Reef Primary School’s pocket forest is scheduled for planting in 2024. There is also a Miyawaki forest planted in partnership with Statewide Services (Department of Education) in Padbury, and it forms part of the Statewide Services Bush Classroom program linked to their Two Way initiative.

Growing environmental knowledge

Not only does the school’s Miyawaki forest benefit the environment and wildlife, but it also acts as an educational resource for students to learn about environmental science both inside and outside the classroom.

The first step for students getting involved in the program was setting up a compost system. Students learned to reduce their food waste by composting their recess and lunch scraps, and they also received green waste and organic waste from local businesses. The turf was then removed and the soil at the forest site was improved by digging in the student’s compost, along with coconut coir and a special compost tea created by Dr Coupland added to the soil’s surface.

Year 4-6 students from Poseidon Primary School helped with the planting of over 31 locally native species in the Miyawaki Forest.

 

Students from Year 4 to Year 6 planted the forest under the guidance of Dr Coupland and the Murdoch University Miyawaki Forest team. Once planting was completed, the forest was covered with a thick layer of mulch to protect the soil, retain moisture and save water.

Miyawaki forests mature up to 10 times faster than traditional planting methods. The Poseidon Primary School Miyawaki forest was planted in August 2022.

Whilst preparing and planting the forest provided a beneficial educational experience, the Miyawaki Forest also provides an ongoing educational experience for students. Each month, students work with Murdoch University team to monitor their forest. Students learn to record data on aspects including plant survival and, growth and biodiversity.

The students have learned about the urban heat island effect caused by existing hardstand surfaces and how to measure surface and air temperatures to track the cooling effect of their forest. They learned how to use scientific equipment and how to write scientific reports about their findings. They also learned about weed species and weed management, frequently helping to weed their forest to ensure it can continue to grow strong.

Benefits of nature-based learning

The Miyawaki Forest program at Poseidon Primary School provides so many benefits to students’ wellbeing, learning, and overall school experience. The students enjoy being outdoors and working in their ‘outdoor classroom,’ and they have become more engaged with environmental science activities and have a genuine curiosity and interest in the forest. Their knowledge of local native animals has improved significantly during the program, as has their ability to collect and record data. Students often visit the forest during their break times, and some also meet there before and after school. For many students, the forest is a relaxing and calming safe space.

Students’ focus, attention, and academic performance have likely improved as well. Access to nature and a view of trees has proven to increase literacy and numeracy results, alongside improving student’s stress levels, concentration, and intrinsic motivation. Tree cover is strongly linked to student’s academic performance and classroom engagement across all subjects.

The Miyawaki Forest program not only provides students with a unique, hands-on learning environment, but also bring so many cognitive development benefits for a holistic learning experience for all students at the school.

Teaching sustainable living

In addition to the Miyawaki Forest and the composting system, Poseidon Primary School incorporate teachings about the environment and sustainability into their curriculum in many ways.

“Sustainable practice has been alive and growing at Poseidon Primary School. What started many years ago as one teacher’s passion, has now grown into numerous environmental projects and initiatives that complement our student’s learning,” explains Associate Principal, Erin Ibister.

The school has a Sustainability Team which overlooks the students’ Worm Farm. ‘Worm wizz’ and worm castings are used around the school’s gardens and sold to the local community. The school also has chickens, and their eggs are sold to the community to recoup feeding costs. Year 6 students run a recycling containers program, where students place their recyclable containers into specially labelled bins at the end of recess and lunch.

The dedicated Sustainability Team are also keen gardeners who plant new trees and shrubs a few times a year, donated by local politicians and businesses in the community.

Poseidon Primary School students with, from left to right, Melissa Guy (Poseidon Primary School Principal), Emily Hamilton (MLA for Joondalup), Louise Tarrier (CEO of Carbon Positive Australia and Dr Grey Coupland (Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University).

These great initiatives from our schools teach students the importance of living waste-free and sustainable lifestyles to protect our precious environment and prepare them for climate change.

Further reading and resources:

Subscribe to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter to stay updated about environmental news, stories, and events.

Community, kindness and sustainability

The Facebook group Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and Surrounds was established in 2018 by passionate community member and Kingsley local, Sharon Pengelly. The group has since grown to over 1,600 like-minded community members from across the City of Joondalup suburbs, where the local community share ideas about sustainable living, gardening, recycling and all things environmental!

Building an online community

Sharon has always been passionate about learning and sharing ideas with others, especially about the environment and sustainable living. When she established the Facebook group, her aim was to create a discussion forum for like-minded community members to share ideas and discuss sustainability in a positive, constructive way.

When Sharon started the group, her goal was to have a small group of people who could help with basic guidance regarding sustainable living. Sharon said she would have been happy with just 50 community members, but it has now grown to a community of over 1,600 members from all over the Northern suburbs, and some members are even from overseas.

“It’s wonderful to see so many people wanting to join and see what our community is about. Hopefully, joining our group inspires them to recreate something similar in their own local community,” says Sharon.

Sharon Pengelly, Kingsley local, started the ‘Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and surrounds’ Facebook group in 2018.

Sharon has always wanted to leave a light environmental footprint on the planet. She is a self-identified “mad keen gardener” with a beautiful vegetable garden (pictured below) to show for it. Sharon has attended courses in sustainable living, such as the Earth Carers course led by Peg Davies, where she learned about protecting the environment through reducing, reusing and recycling waste. She also attended a Sustainable Living course held by Kath Moller of Duncraig Edible Garden, which focused on regenerative living, community, environment, gardening and household. Sharon shares her knowledge within her Facebook group.

Sharon enjoys spending her time growing a lot of her own quality produce in her backyard.

Sharon’s Facebook group grew fast, and it wasn’t long before Liz Bennett began helping Sharon manage and ‘admin’ the group. Like Sharon, Liz is an avid gardener and could be entirely self-sufficient with her fruit and vegetable production. Liz also attended the Greenwood Sustainable Living course. Together with the other group members, they have all made the group the wonderful community that it is today.

Grow Free Carts

Liz established the Greenwood Grow Free cart in 2022. Grow Free Carts provides a central place for the community to swap and share excess homegrown produce, preserves, cuttings, potted edible plants, and other items related to sustainable gardening. Community members can do direct swaps or leave something they are gifting. Sharon’s Facebook group allows Liz and other community members to post what is on offer so that nothing goes to waste!

Liz and her Grow Free Cart. The cart was painted by local indigenous artist JJ Lane.

Community, kindness, and Sustainability

‘Growing a Sustainable Community – Kingsley and surrounds’ is an inclusive online space to discuss sustainable living. The group ranges from beginner community members to experts and community groups who have a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of experience to support anyone on their sustainable journey.

The group has held and supported several workshops for its members, such as a Worm Farming workshop, Clothes Swaps, Waste facility tours, and an ‘All you need to know about growing citrus and edibles’ workshop. Sharon and Liz are excited for the year ahead, with the 2024 event calendar being full of amazing activities and workshops for the group. Future workshops for group members include cheese making, sourdough bread making, gardening, shopping without plastic and more!

Sharon with Debbie and Kevin from the Worm Shed.

Many friendships have been formed through the ‘Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds’ Facebook group, and for Sharon that is the most rewarding part of it all. The community’s like-mindedness and aspirations for wanting to do their bit for the planet demonstrate this group’s wonderful asset to the community.

The page regularly receives positive comments from group members, such as “you do a great job of connecting us throughout the year and inspiring us” and “this is such a happy, inclusive, informative and uplifting page,” which makes all her amazing work coordinating the group worth it.

Group members have the opportunity to participate in a range of sustainable living workshops, such as Clothes Swaps by Jessica Bennison.

The group enjoys supporting local community groups and sustainable businesses through its Facebook page. Some of the fantastic local groups and businesses that have helped this group are:

Staying connected during COVID-19

During COVID-19, lockdowns and isolation requirements meant that the group was an invaluable asset for keeping the community connected. Not only was the group a social outlet for those in isolation, but it helped grow community spirit and connection. Many individuals made themselves available to others who needed help running errands, dropping off produce or even shopping for strangers who needed a helping hand. While for some communities, COVID-19 resulted in unfortunate community breakdown, Sharon’s virtual group helped people maintain connections to the local community.

Sharon’s six sustainability suggestions

Join Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds and become part of Sharon’s sustainable community. Here are some of her suggestions to help get you started on your journey.

1. Reduce waste

Following the waste hierarchy of avoiding waste, reducing your waste, reusing what you can’t reduce, and recycling as a last resort is the most basic way you can make a difference at home and lessen your impact on the environment.

Reducing waste should be your priority. Check the packaging that comes with your supermarket purchases, select the cardboard packaging option, and BYO your own containers and produce bags to lessen your impact on the environment.

2. Reuse and repurpose waste

When reducing waste is not possible, reuse and repurpose what you have. Take your old containers and produce bags to your local shop, use the old coffee jar as a storage container, and find other creative ways to reuse or repurpose your waste. You can also repurpose your waste by joining your local ‘Buy Nothing’ group on Facebook to pay it forward or find something you need rather than purchasing new.

3. Recycle waste

Where waste can’t be reduced, reused or repurposed, as a last resort, try to recycle. Check out what can be recycled in your yellow lid recycling bin, and check out your local recycling hub for materials that can’t go in your bin. Marion Green’s St Nic’s Recycling Hub collects and recycles some items that can’t go directly into your yellow lid bin! You can also recycle waste by placing any food scraps or garden waste into a compost or worm farm at home.

4. Grow into gardening

Plant your own little patch of paradise and try your shot at gardening. Whether you use raised beds or create a container garden to grow your own produce or transform your garden into a biodiverse paradise full of native plants, each small change has a huge impact. Creating your very own ecosystem in your backyard is incredibly rewarding, and you will be supporting local wildlife!

5. Lifestyle choices

Living sustainably is a lifestyle. Start small, and you will eventually change your habits over time, and each new habit will eventually make a large impact. Trying to do too much at once will set you up to fail. There is an abundance of people in Sharon’s group who are ready to help you get started. Before you know it, you will be reducing your very own environmental footprint in your community and helping others get started, too.

6. Join the sustainable community

Come and join the community, bring an open mind and a bucket full of kindness. From little things, big things will grow.

Members of the Growing a sustainable community – Kingsley and surrounds group at a Waste facility tour.

As we move into a future where we need to reduce our environmental impact, we all need to focus our journey towards a more regenerative lifestyle in our community, environment, garden, workplace and household. Sustainable living practices are necessary to meet our needs without compromising a healthy planet for future generations and our natural environment.

Other tips and resources:

Subscribe to the City of Joondalup’s Sustainability eNewsletter to stay updated about environmental news, stories, and events. Sign up for the eNewsletter – City of Joondalup.

Supporting our Sustainable Local Businesses

There are so many ways to make a difference to our planet and community. One of the easiest choices you can make is to support local businesses that uphold their environmental responsibility through their products, services and practices.

The Sustainability and Innovation Award 2023

The Joondalup Business Association (JBA) Awards is a night to celebrate some of the community’s local businesses and their successes. Held on Saturday 12 August 2023, the event was sponsored by Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law.

The Sustainability and Innovation Award celebrates the City’s businesses that are leading the change in the sustainability space, leading with purpose and a vision for an environmentally sustainable future.

The winner of the award for 2023 was Supernatural Hair and Beauty, a hair and beauty salon in Joondalup with a sustainable purpose and social mission.

An environmental mission into the future

Supernatural pride themselves in achieving the highest standards of sustainability in all of their practices. From packaging and product ingredients to waste reduction and workplace practices; Supernatural run their business with passion and a pursuit for environmental sustainability.

Supernatural Hair and Beauty started in Port Hedland 12 years ago.

After six years of success in Joondalup, they know the impact that sustainable practices within a workplace can have on influencing the community. Their embrace of sustainable practices not only means they are leading the change in tackling climate change but are also meeting the community’s demand for more environmentally friendly brands they can trust.

Reducing waste in the workplace

The duo’s passions for the environment, their minimalistic lifestyle and their ‘less is more’ attitude has been reflected all throughout their business practices and processes.

This year, Deanna and Jessica have been focusing on reducing the amount of their waste ending up in landfill. They have successfully been able to repurpose 95% of their salon waste.

As a ‘Sustainable Salons’ member, Supernatural has prevented over 40kg of hair, 154kg of plastics, 275g of paper and 207kg of metals from landfill. As part of the initiative, they have also contributed to over 276,340 meals being donated to people in need.

Sustainability is everyone’s business

Whether you’re a business owner, an employee, or a community member wanting to be more sustainable, these tips from Supernatural Hair and Beauty will help you along your sustainability journey.

Know what you are purchasing and where it’s coming from

Finding out how the things we use and consume are made, where they came from, how they are transported, and where their waste ends up are questions we could all be asking in every transaction we make.

The journey of sustainability starts with consuming less

Creating less waste should come first, then we can focus on reusing or recycling the waste we can’t reduce.

Look for sustainable alternatives from sustainable focused businesses

Every positive change you make is a step towards a better future. Switching to a more sustainable brand creates greater demand for ‘greener’ products and services.

Buy in bulk

One way of reducing your waste is buying in bulk amounts to reduce packaging waste. Buying a 1L shampoo bottle instead of four normal sized 250ml bottles, reduces plastic containers and saves you money. Look for ways to do this in all areas of your consumption.

Be accountable for the businesses you support

If you own a business, partnering with brands that you align with as a company is crucial to managing your environmental impact. Set your standards high and keep up to date with the market.

Supporting local sustainable businesses not only supports the environment but also helps our community flourish.

To find local and sustainable businesses within the City of Joondalup, visit the Joondalup Business Association.

Over 20 years of coastcare in Sorrento and Marmion

Mike has been volunteering for more than 40 years to help with many environmental and conservation causes. He is motivated to create thriving natural ecosystems and coastlines, and is working hard to empower people to make positive choices for nature.

In 1999, Mike Norman established what is now known as ‘Friends of Sorrento Beach and Marmion Foreshore’ and four years later in 2003, he initiated ‘Friends of Porteous Park.’ When he started ‘Friends of Sorrento Beach and Marmion Foreshore’, he saw a need to restore the environment in his suburb, so he set out to do just that. We think that he has been incredibly successful in doing so!

These Friends Groups are volunteer environmental conservation and revegetation groups keeping our natural areas and coastal foreshores flourishing! The activities of the groups provide numerous benefits for the community. They are creating cool, green and liveable neighbourhoods and habitat for wildlife. Volunteers also get to connect with nature and other like-minded people, as well as learning more about their local flora and fauna species.

These groups are celebrating 20 years or more of creating habitats for local wildlife, helping the coastline sparkle and building community.

Mike is the Coordinator of both of these groups, where he leads and helps with numerous conservation and community causes!  Mike also finds the time to make an even bigger difference and is the Deputy Coordinator of the ‘Friends of Harman Park,’ and Treasurer of the ‘Joondalup Community Coast Care Forum.’

A passion for tackling weeds – war on weeds

Mike outlined that weeds are a huge challenge impacting our coastlines. In great news, these volunteers have been very successful in controlling weeds along our stunning coastline. In collaboration with the City’s Natural Environment Team, the group’s ‘Weeding Warriors’ have contributed to the removal of thousands of weeds. This has since been measured in ecological surveys that show an improvement in the vegetation condition.

Ecological restoration and sparkling beaches

Mike is passionate about conserving and restoring the coastline and natural areas. He has involved and educated thousands of adults and children about the coast and ecological restoration. Mike and the incredible volunteers have also collected and removed a large amount of litter from our local/stunning beaches.

Emerging threats to our coastlines

Mike shares there are other huge challenges that Friends Groups are unable to tackle without widespread community effort. Some of these challenges include feral animals and domestic animals/pets, and plant diseases and pests such as Polyphagous shot-hole borer and myrtle rust fungus. You can help by reporting any sightings of feral animals, dogs off leash or plant diseases or pests to the City and/or the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Importance of building resilient and climate ready ecosystems

Mike told us that the greatest challenge to our coastlines and beaches that he has witnessed, is climate change; causing sea level rise and severe storm events that cause accretion and erosion of our beaches. Sadly, the volunteers planting efforts at Sorrento Beach are often trampled on as a result of the sand building up which allows people to access the coastal foreshore areas. You can help the volunteers by staying on dedicated paths to let the dune revegetation grow.  Maintaining our coastlines is crucial to ensuring we can continue to use our City’s beautiful sandy beaches in years to come. Learn more about how you can help reduce carbon emissions at home.

Friends of Sorrento Beach and Marmion Foreshore Highlights

The City of Joondalup want to say a big thanks to Mike for coordinating and hosting volunteers on a weekly basis for activities such as community planting days, weeding, litter removal, community education, events, collaborations with schools and also for his advocacy for coastline conservation. We also extend this thanks to all the volunteers across these Friends Groups and celebrate this 20-plus year milestone being reached!

Some of the group’s biggest achievements over the past 20 years include:

  • An “ecological restoration” accomplished by planting the phenomenal amount of 34,461 native coastal seedlings, comprised of 42 different species across a 9-hectare area of coastal reserve.
  • Hundreds of thousands of weeds were removed from the coastal reserves by the groups weeding warriors, including a total of 13 weed species that have been entirely eliminated from the project area, and many more weed species which are close to being eliminated.
  • Refined manual weeding techniques including the development of their own tools so manual weeding is effective and efficient over larger areas.
  • Many successful grant applications allowing the group to employ efficient manual weeding contractors during peak times.
  • Provide a great weekly weekend activity in nature for hundreds of volunteers. Many volunteers have come and gone, but some have been with the project long-term for a decade or even longer.
  • Created habitat for native animals such as Quendas, that have returned as well as the reptile population having increased.

How can I get involved?

Friends Groups are always looking for volunteers and members to take part in their regular activities which include litter pick up, weed removal and planting days. The groups may also participate in wildlife surveys or run educational events throughout the year too. All are welcome including the kids! Some of the City’s smaller Friends Groups like the ’Friends of Porteous Park’ especially need some helping hands.

To volunteer for nature, view the Friends Group Contact List to get in contact.

Public Art Masterplan Consultation

The City acknowledges the important role played by public art in creating a vibrant and appealing place to live, work and visit. Public art shapes and develops a sense of community and identity, contributing to our understanding and appreciation of our cultural and natural heritage, enhancing our built environment, and creating more meaningful public spaces. The City’s Public Art collection has been acquired since 1998 and includes over 20 artworks.

Setting the Vision for New Public Art

The City is currently undertaking consultation to develop a new Public Art Strategy and Masterplan.

This Masterplan will define the vision for Public Art in the City and help guide resources and funding towards future projects. Such projects aim to enhance the City’s significant Indigenous sites, built environment, distinctive natural assets, historic locations and key destinations. The Masterplan will also provide a guiding framework for all new commissions, ensuring that Joondalup’s Public Art collection creates a sense of place, promotes the expression of local identity, and reflects on the shared values and needs of the community.

Community Consultation Surveys and Workshops

The City sought community feedback in August 2023 to set the direction for the Public Art Masterplan. The survey received phenomenally high engagement, with more than 200 responses received. The results of the survey are currently being collated, along with findings from various community workshops and pop-ups.

Further information and next steps for the Public Art Masterplan will be shared shortly. To stay in the loop, subscribe to the City’s Arts in Focus eNewsletter.

Banner image: Bridget Norton, Untitled, 2009, digital print on acrylic. Craigie Leisure Centre, Craigie. 

Southwestern Snake-necked Turtles

Southwestern snake-necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga) are also commonly known as Oblong or Long-Necked Turtles. ​The Noongar names for these turtles are Yaakan and Booyi, which translate to long-necked turtle.

Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project

Each year, many turtles are killed by foxes and vehicles when they leave the water to find a nesting spot, and their nests can be destroyed by foxes, birds, dogs and cats. Turtle numbers in the Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands are declining, with very few hatchlings making it back to the lake each year.

To help our turtles in the Yellagonga wetlands, the City has joined the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project.

The program includes:

  • In Spring, during the nesting season, a team of trained ‘Turtle Tracker’ volunteers patrol the Yellagonga wetlands and protect female turtles while the turtles are on their journey out of the water to find the perfect nesting spot. The Turtle Trackers also protect the nests to prevent them being destroyed by predators such as birds and foxes.
  • Promoting the TurtleSAT app and TurtleSAT website – community members can use these to record turtle and nest sightings. This information is used to monitor turtle populations throughout the park.

What to do if you see a turtle

If you see a turtle out of the water, it is probably a female turtle nesting. Contact the Turtle Tracker team:

This 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 South West Group, funded by Lotterywest.

Further information on the project is available on the Saving our Snake-necked Turtles (SOSNT) website.

Dr Anthony Santoro and the Saving our snake-necked turtle project

Dr Anthony Santoro, Murdoch University turtle ecologist

What you can do to help turtles

  • If you see a turtle out of the water, or if a turtle is nesting on your property, contact the Turtle Tracker team via:
    • the Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Swamp – 0412 400 874, or the Friends of Yellagonga (via Facebook messenger).
      These volunteer groups are both a part of the Turtle Tracker team and will be able to send down a trained Turtle Tracker volunteer who can come and protect the turtle and the nest. Turtle Trackers are a local group of trained volunteers who patrol the wetlands over Spring when turtles are nesting, to help keep turtles safe and to protect their nests.
  • If you see a turtle, assist them in the direction they are heading and protect them from predators and vehicles. But keep your distance – if scared, a turtle may abandon nesting and return to the water.
  • Get involved in the Turtle Tracker program by joining the Friends of Yellagonga or Woodvale Waters Friends of Beenyup Channel volunteer groups.
  • Look out for turtles on the roads and paths surrounding wetlands, particularly during rainy days in the nesting season in Spring (September – November) and hatching season in Spring and Autumn. Turtles and hatchlings can be hard to see, particularly on roads.
  • If you find an injured turtle, call Native Animal Rescue Hospital in Malaga and they can provide advice on what to do.
  • Use the TurtleSAT app, or use the TurtleSAT website, to record any turtles or nests that you see. This data will help the City understand our local turtle populations and help us to monitor and protect the turtles in the future.
  • Keep your dog on a leash and away from turtles and nests.
  • Report fox sightings to the City and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Regional Parks Unit 9442 0300.
  • Report turtle poaching to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction Wildlife Branch through the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or Wildlife Watch 1800 449 453.

Southwestern Snake-necked Turtles

Appearance

The Southwestern snake-necked turtle gets its name from its appearance as it has a long, snake-like neck that folds in sideways, and an oblong shell (carapace). The colour of the shell generally ranges from dark brown to black, while the underside of the shell (plastron) is usually a pale white/yellow. These turtles have webbed feet with four claws.

Males are generally smaller than females. They have longer tails and slightly more curved plastrons (bottom side of the shell) than females.

The neck is almost as long as its shell and its full length can reach about 50cm. Hatchlings are very small, with a shell (carapace) length of around 3cm.

Turtle hatchling

Turtle hatchling

Habitat and distribution

These turtles are commonly found in the waterways of the Perth metropolitan area. They can be found throughout the southwest of WA, extending north to Hill River (approximately 300km north of Perth) and south to the Fitzgerald River National Park. For further information visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulations website.
You can find these turtles in freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps – as long as there is enough habitat, food and good water quality. These turtles shelter underground in burrows, thick leaf litter, and under logs in wetlands.
Adults generally spend their whole life in the water, venturing out onto land only to lay eggs in Spring.

Southwestern snake-necked turtles are aquatic predators and feed on aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, frogs, fish and even small birds. Having a predator in the area is a sign the ecosystem is working well, and the environment boasts growing levels of biodiversity. For further information, visit Rewild Perth website.

In the City of Joondalup, these turtles are found in many of our wetlands, with the main population calling Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands home.

Behaviour and nesting

These special creatures spend their lives in the water, coming out onto land only to nest in Spring. The eggs stay in the burrow over summer, and the hatchlings emerge one by one and start their journey to the water in Autumn.

Turtles choose their nesting locations carefully, to keep their eggs safe over summer. Most female turtles travel around 100m to find a suitable nest location, but some will travel further to find the perfect spot. This often means turtles will cross over roads, bike paths, footpaths, and open grassed parks and ovals to reach their ideal nesting location. Along the way, they are under threat from birds, vehicles, domestic pets, and feral animals such as foxes.

Often female turtles can be killed while nesting, and the nests can be destroyed by native animals, such as ravens, and feral and domestic animals, such as foxes, cats, and dogs. Because of this, very few hatchlings survive each year, and turtle numbers are declining.

Threats

Turtles face numerous threats and their numbers are declining.

The City is working collaboratively with a range of partners to help understand these turtles and safeguard their survival in our wetlands. Some of the key threats to Southwestern snake-necked turtle populations include:

  • Habitat loss through native vegetation clearing.
  • Habitat modification:
    • a lot of the area around wetlands has been cleared for grassed parkland or residential properties, so turtles often must travel over open lawn areas to find nesting locations. These open and lawned areas provide very little vegetation cover and provide no protection from predators such as birds;
    • Due to the urbanisation of the catchment, turtles are forced to nest in areas where the nests may be damaged, such as on private property, in road median strips or verges, or areas likely to be trampled by pedestrians or cars;
    • Fences, roads, curbs, paths and road drains can block or trap turtles and their hatchlings on their journey to and from the wetland.
  • Poor water quality.
  • Traffic impacts from vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, resulting in mortality.
  • Predation by:
    • feral animals, in particular foxes and feral cats;
    • pets, where dogs are off-leash and cats are not kept indoors;
    • native fauna, such as ravens and magpies.
  • Pest fish species reducing water quality.
  • Drying climate, as female turtles tend not to reproduce as frequently in dry conditions

You can learn more about these threats in the City’s brochure.

Turtle conservation

The City conserves turtles by:

  • Controlling fox numbers in and around turtle nesting areas in conjunction with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the City of Wanneroo.
  • Joining the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Project and implementing the Turtle Trackers program to help protect turtle nests at Lake Joondalup.
  • Installing temporary and permanent signs – ‘turtles on the move’, ‘keep dogs on-leash’ and ‘slow down for turtles’.
  • Working with volunteers to maintain nesting sites at Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands.
  • Implementing the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan with the City of Wanneroo.
  • Undertaking a long-term water quality monitoring program in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, to ensure good water quality.
  • Undertaking revegetation and habitat creation projects in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, City of Wanneroo, local schools and community groups.
  • Implementing a range of greening and biodiversity gardening initiatives.

Installing signs

Installing turtle information signs at Lake Joondalup

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.

 

Waterwise Verge Garden Workshop

As part of the City’s Environmental Education Program, more than 90 community members attended a Waterwise Verge Garden workshop hosted by the City of Joondalup at Duncraig Community Centre on Saturday, 29 October.

At the workshop, participants learnt about how to start their own waterwise verge garden at home and about the City’s Waterwise Verge Rebate Program that will be launching in November 2022.

Chris Ferreira from The Forever Project provided a presentation that highlighted the importance of replacing grass, synthetic lawn and paving with waterwise plants, particularly in the context of reduced rainfall in Perth.

The workshop included a tour of the Duncraig Edible Garden and information about the plant species and establishment of the garden. A presentation of the City’s Waterwise Verge Rebate Program was also provided at the workshop.

Participants at the workshop were highly engaged with prizes being given away for correct answers during the presentation, lots of questions throughout the presentations, during the break and after the event.

This initiative is proudly co-funded by Water Corporation’s Waterwise Greening Scheme and forms part of our ambition for the City to be a leading waterwise community.

Turtles on the move

The City’s Natural Areas team have been busy installing turtle signs around Lake Joondalup, as a part of the Saving our Snake-necked Turtle Program. The signs provide guidance on how you can help if you see turtles and how you can assist to monitor their populations.

Southwestern snake-necked turtles (known to Noongar people as ‘Booyi’) are likely to be out and about in spring, looking for a spot to dig a nest and lay their eggs. They usually choose nesting sites within 100m of their wetland and prefer to nest during rainy weather, which means they can be difficult to see on roads and bike paths.

You can take the following actions to help the turtles:

  • If turtles need help, assist them in the direction they are heading.
  • If you find an injured turtle, call the WA Wildlife Hospital on 9417 7105 and they can provide advice.
  • Drive and ride slowly around wetlands, especially during rainy weather in Spring when the turtles may be crossing roads or paths to look for nesting sites.
  • Keep your dog on a leash and away from turtles and nests.
  • Protect turtles from predators, such as ravens, dogs and cats.
  • Download and use the TurtleSAT app, or use the website, to record turtle observations. This data will help the City understand our local turtle populations and help us to monitor and protect the turtles in the future.

This project is run in partnership with the City of Wanneroo and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Murdoch University and the South West Group.

Further information about the project can be found on the City’s website.

Learning about beaches

The City is home to an amazing coastline stretching for 17kms between Marmion and Burns Beach including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, coastal vegetation and the marine environment.

A diversity of marine animals including migratory birds, whales and sea lions live in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Other wildlife like the Echidna, Quenda and many reptile species also occur in the nearby land environment adjacent to the shore. The dune environment within the City includes important vegetation ranging from Spinifex grasslands, to coastal shrublands and upper storey trees such as eucalypts.

To learn more about the City’s coast:

Adopt a bushland teaching resources

The Adopt a Bushland program is for students in years 4 to 7 to raise awareness of the ecological values of local bushland and learn bushland management skills such as weeding and litter collection. The program includes the following 2013 Australian curriculum aligned teaching resources.

Key Learning Area Teacher’s Guides Student Worksheets
The Importance of Bushland What is a Global Citizen? Years 4-7 Uses for Bushland and Human Impacts Years 4-7
Indigenous Heritage Values Welcome to Nyungar Country Years 4-7

The Nyungar Six Seasons Years 4-7

 Welcome to Nyungar Country Years 4-7

The Nyungar Six Seasons Years 4-7
Weed Control Bushland Weeds Years 4-7 Bushland Weeds Years 4-5

Bushland Weeds Years 6-7

Bushland Weeds Vocabulary

Bushland Weeds
Litter Collection Litter Years 4-7 Litter Background Years 4-5

Litter Background Years 6-7

Litter Years 4-5

Litter Years 6-7

Litter Persuasive Writing Table
Biodiversity Who lives here? What do I eat? What are my feet used for? Years 4-5

Bushland Activities Years 4-7

Adaptations Years 4-6

Adaptations Teacher Information Years 4-6

 Who lives here? Years 4-5

What do I eat? What are my feet used for? Years 4-5

So you want to be a twitcher? Years 4-7

Exploring Leaf Litter Years 4-7

Bushland Flora and Fauna Adaptations Years 4-6

Adopt a coastline teaching resources

The Adopt a Coastline Program is for students in years 4 to 7 to raise awareness of the ecological values of the local coastline and learn about rehabilitation and protection activities along the coast. The program includes the following 2013 Australian curriculum aligned teaching resources.

Key learning area Teacher’s guides Student worksheets
The Importance of the Coast The Ocean is not a rubbish bin

Coastline Historical Timeline

Recollections of the Past / Uses and Impacts on our Coastline

 The Ocean is not a rubbish bin

The Ocean is not a rubbish bin – simple version

The Ocean is not a rubbish bin – language sheet

Coastline Historical Timeline

Uses and Impacts on Our Coastline

Recollections of the Past
Indigenous Heritage Values  

A Day at the Beach for Traditional Noongar People

  

A Day at the Beach for Traditional Noongar People
Biodiversity Living on the Coast – Plant Adaptations, Life in the Extremes and Marine Molluscs

How waves erode a beach / How do plants stop erosion

 Living on the Coast- Plant Adaptations

Life in the Extremes

Marine Molluscs

Year 4/5 How do waves erode a beach? / How do plants help stop erosion?

Year 6/7 How do waves erode a beach? / How do plants help stop erosion?
Beach Activities Beach Activities

What is a Global Citizen

Learning about wetlands

The Yellagonga Regional Park wetlands include rich and dynamic ecosystems ranging from upland forest, fringing wetland and aquatic vegetation to open water bodies. These ecosystems provide important habitat for many flora and fauna species, reduce flooding risks, filter and recharge water and prevent soil erosion.

Fauna found in the Yellagonga Regional Park includes the Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Western Grey Kangaroo, Quenda (native marsupial), Brushtail Possum, Echidna, Oblong turtle, Rakali or Water Rat and the Tiger snake as well as six different frog species. The park is also important as a summer refuge and breeding habitat for many bird species, with over 120 bird species having been recorded in the park.

To learn more about your local wetland areas:

  • Visit Neil Hawkins Park and read the Noongar cultural heritage interpretive signage explaining traditional Noongar use of the Yellagonga Wetlands
  • Subscribe to the City’s Environmental News and Events e-newsletter to learn about the City’s latest environmental events including flora and fauna tours, nightstalks, bushtucker tours and sustainable gardening seminars
  • Read the Birds of the City of Joondalup brochure to learn about local bird species
  • Read the Plants and People in Mooro Country book to discover more about local flora species used by the Noongar people. The book also details the Yellagonga Regional Park’s changing landscape from Aboriginal Settlement to today
  • Find out more about Yellagonga Regional Park in the Yellagonga School Activity Sheets, targeted at school age students from pre-primary to Year 7.

Learning about bushland

There are a number of significant flora species and vegetation communities that exist within the City’s remnant bushland areas including the Banksia Woodlands threatened ecological community, mature Eucalyptus trees and a variety of shrub-lands and herbaceous species that provide habitat for nectar feeding birds and important invertebrates like the Graceful Sun Moth.

A range of other important native wildlife like the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and Quenda (native marsupial) use these bushland areas for habitat purposes, such as foraging on local plants and sheltering from potential predators.

To learn more about your local bushland areas:

Littering and dumping of illegal waste

Littering is the dumping of any household rubbish including furniture items, garden refuse, building or fencing materials.

Illegal dumping relates to the disposal of items likely to be toxic or dangerous to the environment or persons such as chemical waste, batteries, dumping of oil or paint products.

City Officers investigate all offences relating to littering and the dumping of illegal waste and will prosecute offenders who fail to dispose of their rubbish in a responsible manner.

Prescribed offences and penalties for littering and dumping  is a minimum of:

  • $200.00 for an individual
  • $500.00 for a Body Corporate.

Fines of $500.00 apply to the dumping of litter that creates a public risk such as drugs/chemicals, broken glass, tyres, batteries and needles.

If you witness an incident of littering or illegal dumping, try to note down:

  • Vehicle description including registration details
  • Description of person or persons involved
  • Location of the incident
  • Date/time incident witnessed
  • What type of litter has been dumped
  • A contact number in case City Rangers require further information
  • Take a photograph if safe to do so.

Report littering or dumping 

Adopt a coastline or bushland

The Adopt a Coastline or Bushland Program gives students the opportunity to take part in a free environmental program involving education, rehabilitation and protection activities along the coastline and in bushland areas.

Student outcomes

As well as covering the curriculum areas of geography and science, this program also allows students to demonstrate active citizenship through their work on this valuable community project. The program will enable students to:

  • Work with Natural Environment Officers planting local provenance species;
  • Learn about the biodiversity of the coastal and bush environment;
  • Contribute to their community and environmental responsibility through active citizenship;
  • Understand the relationship between people and the environment with two classroom presentations from environmental experts and Indigenous educators and
  • Have the opportunity to display their classroom work relating to the program within the Joondalup Libraries.

Register for this program by Friday 23 February 2024.

Teaching resources

An extensive range of curriculum linked teaching resources for the coastal and bushland programs has also been developed.

These educational resources have been produced by the City of Joondalup with the expertise of a teacher, and all due care has been taken to ensure accurate information has been provided and the work is Australian Curriculum aligned at the time of production.

Two excellent publications, Perth Plants and Coastal Plants are available through the City of Joondalup Libraries to aid teachers in identifying species and their adaptations.

Keep up to date on what the City has available for schools and subscribe to the School Connections eNewsletter.

Yellagonga wetlands school activity

Yellagonga Wetland activity sheets are available online for primary school teachers and students from pre-primary to year seven to assist in meeting geography, science and sustainability outcomes.

Activity sheets

These Australian curriculum aligned science, humanities and social sciences activity sheets are produced by the City with the expertise of a science teacher and consist of:

  • Teaching guides
  • Excursion plans
  • Activity sheets in Biological Sciences and Human Endeavour

Student outcomes

Students will learn about the important wetland ecosystem of Yellagonga Regional Park. Information is provided to encourage users to undertake activities on site in Yellagonga Regional Park. Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup is an ideal setting with good facilities for excursions.

Keep up to date on what the City has available for schools and subscribe to the School Connections eNewsletter.