To promote the mental health benefits of being socially connected, this September, Joondalup Libraries is supporting Act Belong Commit’s Social September initiative to encourage our members to increase social connections through activity.
Relationships and social connections provide us with a sense of belonging, which is essential for our mental health and wellbeing.
Belonging to groups, whether formal or informal, large or small, local or even international, contributes to our identity and who we are.
Belonging helps define our sense of identity and satisfies our psychological need for friendship.
Follow Joondalup Libraries on Facebook or Instagram for ways to become involved with Social September.
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.
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.
Anthracobiamelaloma (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 discoverfungi 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(Thelymitrafuscolutea) 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’sfavorite fauna species is the Western Bearded Dragon. It can be very elusive and they like to hide in Balga skirts, watching and observingpassersby 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.
Mark and the FoWB are doing great things to help protect our environment. If you are interested in his amazing work, you can:
Read Marks most recent paper, a comprehensive review of everything known about the pollination of flowers in Southwestern Australia!
The Friends of Periwinkle Bushland have successfully inspired many members of the community to appreciate nature in a bit of an unconventional way – through art!
The Friends of Periwinkle Bushland were established in 2002 by a group of incredibly passionate locals inspired to protect and respect their beloved bushland. More than 20 years later, the group is still doing brilliant work to preserve the beautiful patch of Periwinkle Park bushland in the heart of Mullaloo and inspire the enjoyment of our natural areas.
Volunteers are at the heart of Periwinkle Bushland
Meet the Friends of Periwinkle Bushland
The Friends of Periwinkle Bushland have been consistently weeding Periwinkle Park over the last 20 years, which has allowed the park’s natural vegetation to regenerate and thrive.
Amazing volunteers like Dorothy Lullfitz have done some great work restoring and preserving Periwinkle Park since the group’s establishment.
Dorothy often has locals walk by and compliment her fantastic efforts. Yet, she feels like weeding and revegetation “doesn’t feel like work” when she gets to experience the joy of finding a new native orchid and is able to free the Yellow Leschenaultia (Lechenaultia linarioides) to expose their showstopping flowers.
What also sparks pure joy for Dorothy is watching the increasing diversity and populations of birds each year. Her favourite visitors, while she restores the bushland, are the families of Splendid Fairywrens that twitter in the understorey, and the Rainbow Bee-eaters that trill on a warm summer morning.
A New Holland Honeyeater making its home amongst the preserved bushland in Periwinkle Park.
Dorothy has many favourite species she loves to see while at Periwinkle Bushland, with each season showcasing different flowers and plants to enjoy. In the summer, Dorothy enjoys the bright yellow wattle that paints the bushland, and the Hardenbergia seed pods which begin to spring out their seeds. The Yellow Leschenaultia seems to produce a few flowers year-round, displaying their bright yellow and pink colours. There is never a dull moment in the bushland for Dorothy, and the beautiful sites around her inspire her to continue the amazing work she does for our community.
The Yellow Leschenaultia (Lechenaultia linarioides) displays its bright flowers year-round at Periwinkle Park.
Inspiring the next generation of land carers
The Friends of Periwinkle Bushland have presented to schools, such as Mullaloo Heights Primary School, who have been involved in the bushland revegetation process since the beginning. This activity has been a valuable part of the school’s curriculum, with students learning about the importance of native plants and preserving natural areas for wildlife and ecological health.
The children have helped plant native flora species across Periwinkle bushland, which has considerably improved the flora condition of the park and provided habitat for small songbirds such as the Splendid Fairywren.
Mullaloo Heights Primary School students getting involved in revegetating Periwinkle Park bushland.
The Art Park
Community involvement was initially high when the Friends of Periwinkle Bushland was first established, however many of the group’s original members have moved away or have been blessed with old age. The group is now struggling to find new volunteers to keep their group going.
A younger member, Elena, joined Friends of Periwinkle Bushland, and hit the ground running with new ideas to attract new group members. As an art enthusiast herself, she knew how influential and educational art could be. From there, the Periwinkle ‘Art Park’ was born!
Members of Friends of Periwinkle Bushland get involved by running children’s art classes and creating art to be donated or sold for the group’s fundraising. Rubbish dumped in the park, such as old shovels, are found, cut and sold by the members as rustic garden art.
Some of the beautiful bookmarks and cards made by the Friends of Periwinkle Bushland volunteers.
The Art Park is not only for group members, younger members of the community can get involved too, with families gathering to participate in art activities organized by the Friends of Periwinkle Bushland. Activities include drawing bush scenes, rock painting, botanical hammer printing and photography sessions.
All art sessions begin with a walk through the bushland and a visit to the ‘Hug tree.’ The children’s art classes and activities at Periwinkle Park are teaching future generations to enjoy and protect native flora and fauna, in a fun and educational way!
Children visiting the ‘Hug tree’.
Children drawing bush scenes in the Art Park.
Visitors of Periwinkle Bushland can enjoy the painted wooden seats around the ‘Art Park.’ The wooden seats are painted in incredible detail by local artists, and they showcase some of the beautiful fauna and flora that live in Periwinkle Park. These bench seats create the perfect opportunity to sit and relax and enjoy the wonders of the bushland.
Nothing compares to the peace and relaxation of being in nature. In the City of Joondalup, we are incredibly lucky to have so many pristine natural parks and reserves that are full of significant flora and fauna. The continuation of our Friends Groups is needed to help maintain the biodiversity in our beautiful natural areas.
The beautifully painted bench seats are perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature at Periwinkle Park.
Periwinkle Park needs you!
The Friends of Periwinkle Bushland are doing amazing work, but they desperately need more members to keep the group’s efforts going. Without more people joining and continuing the work of those who can no longer participate, the group will unfortunately have no choice but to discontinue.
There are so many benefits to joining a Friends Group, including:
Meet like-minded people in your local area, and the opportunity to form life-long friendships.
Keep your brain and body active and healthy.
Learn new skills in gardening.
Experience the rewarding feeling of doing good for the community and preserving nature.
Access to training and workshops.
Work experience and networking in natural area management.
Whether you are a student, a worker or a retiree looking to keep busy, Friends Groups are an opportunity to conserve bushland and contribute to your local community, all while enjoying nature!
Contact Barry on 0407 989 287 or Dorothy on 0498 806 182 for more information and to join the Friends of Periwinkle Bushland.
Dorothy’s tips for protecting our bushland:
Report or ‘Snap Send Solve’ any anti-social behaviour, such as rubbish dumping, pruning native vegetation and off-lead dogs to the City of Joondalup.
Pick up rubbish as you enjoy our natural areas.
Don’t fertilise the weeds! Pick up after your dog and be a responsible pet owner.
We all have a role to play in preserving, protecting and enhancing our pristine and wonderful coastline and beaches.
The City has outstanding local Coastcare leaders like Mike Norman and Don Poynton. Together, they have dedicated over five decades of volunteer work to help preserve, enhance and protect our pristine coastline and habitats, its rare and unique flora and vegetation communities, and the wonderful wildlife that calls it home, including Quenda and the Graceful Sun Moth. This incredible duo share their top five tips to empower you to care for our coastlines and enjoy our beautiful beaches.
Our natural coastal habitats need your help
Climate change is the biggest threat to our coastline, and we have already begun to see its effects on our local beaches. Coastal hazards, such as sea level rise causing coastal erosion and damages from storms, will only continue to degrade our City’s stunning beaches. There is a lot that residents can do to protect and conserve our natural coastal habitats.
Coastcare Tips
Enjoy long walks along the beach (not the dunes)
Native dune vegetation and dune structures can be easily destroyed if people or pets roam on the sand dunes. Friends Group volunteers try their best to maintain and revegetate the sand dunes with coastal seedlings. Admire their hard work from afar next time you visit the beach, or even enjoy the views from the City’s coastal shared path which runs the full length of the coastline.
Avoid fence sitting
Don’t climb or break the conservation fencing around the dunes, especially on the ocean side. Doing so will allow easier access for people and animals to enter the dunes, harming the vegetation and dune structures. Fencing is costly to repair and can take time to fix.
Keep our beaches pristine clean
If you have rubbish left from your fun day at the beach, be sure to discard it in the bins provided. Allow everyone to enjoy a beautiful, litter-free beach, even after you leave. Any rubbish you discard on the beach will likely end up as marine debris that can harm many sea creatures.
Recycle, don’t dump
Containers for change is a great way to recycle your drink containers rather than leaving them on the beach. Donations can be made to our Coastcare groups by depositing containers under the scheme ID C10379297.
Live sustainably
Help reduce the effects of climate change on our shores by limiting consumption, reusing, and recycling your waste and lowering your carbon footprint. Don’t just enjoy nature but do your best to take care of it so we can all keep enjoying our environment into the future.
Get involved
Even if it’s just for a few hours a year, helping out a Friends Group with some of its on-ground work will not only spoil you with stunning scenery, but you will learn more about the coastal environment and help restore the dunes and beaches!
Rubbish dumped in the sand dunes at Sorrento Beach
Get involved in caring for our coastline
There are a range of ways you can get involved with restoring and maintaining our coastline. You can volunteer with your local coastal Friends Groups. Some examples of Friends Groups’ activities caring for the coast include:
Revegetation and planting.
Monitoring and recording of flora and fauna.
Weed control.
Guided nature walks where you can learn about our natural areas.
Rubbish clean up.
Seed collection.
Community education (talks and presentations).
Fire prevention.
New and returning volunteers are always welcomed. Some events require registration, for others you may be able to turn up and introduce yourself. If you have a passion for nature and conservation, or are just interested to learn more and help the community, find out more about Friends Groups within the City’s webpage.
Protect our beaches at all times of the year
Abalone season is a time of year where there can be negative impacts on beaches. Coastal vegetation and fencing can be impacted by those trying to fish for abalone.
If you see anyone trampling on vegetation, littering, illegally parking, going into fenced conservation areas, or causing other disruptive behaviour on our beaches, please report incidents to our Field Officers by calling 9400 4000 or 1300 655 860 after hours.
Coastcare groups revegetating the sand dunes at Marmion Foreshore
Most people are content contributing their time to one volunteer task or role to make real, meaningful and positive change. Joanne is not one of those people and is volunteering her time to help with numerous sustainability, conservation and community causes across Perth and, importantly, she stays true to her values and inspires those around her.
Joanne is many things: a keen and experienced gardener, former Sustainability Officer at the City of Stirling, and more recently, is focusing her efforts on helping conserve, educate and green our neighbourhoods through volunteering with Wildflower Society of WA (WSoWA) at the Northern Suburbs Branch Nursery and Friends of Kings Park in the Growing Friends group. Joanne also volunteers as a dog walker with Pets of Older Persons (POOPS); helps promote active travel through her role as a casual Bike Education coach with People on Bicycles and volunteers her time to help with several citizen science projects that help wildlife including Birdlife’s Great Cocky Count; the Bird in Backyards Seasonal Surveys; the Aussie Bird Count and more. She is also adding to her diverse skill-set and is training to volunteer as a literacy tutor with Read Write Now.
Joanne has also supported the City to implement its Waterwise Verge Rebate Program, with the WSoWA being one of the participating nurseries in the program. Through this program, 100 households in the City will be transforming their lawn, fake grass or paving into beautiful, biodiverse and waterwise verge gardens.
Promoting the conservation and enjoyment of wildflowers in WA
The WSoWA is a community of wildflower enthusiasts who are connecting over WA’s incredible biodiversity and wildflowers, and inspiring others to explore ways to conserve WA’s unique flora and help people create sustainable gardens. Established in 1958, the Wildflower Society of WA has made a significant contribution to help everyone to better know, grow, conserve and enjoy the wildflowers of WA.
Joanne explains that the south-west of WA is a biodiversity hotspot and many of the plants are endemic to WA.
Joanne remarked that “so many people are yet to discover and enjoy the unique and wonderful diversity of WA flora! With the south-west of WA being a biodiversity hotspot, and many of these plants rare or threatened, the flora needs our help.”
“The south-west corner of WA is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. It is only 5% of the Australian land mass but one-third of all Australian flowering plant species grow here. The majority of these plants grow nowhere else in the world, and land clearing poses a huge risk of pushing many plant species into extinction.”
“Residential gardens and outdoor spaces have enormous potential to support our local flora and ensure that threatened plant species continue to exist.”
Conservation through Propagation
The Northern Suburbs branch of the Wildflower Society of WA has a unique and wonderful nursery where WA’s flora, particularly the rare and unusual species, are the volunteer’s speciality. This is where Joanne spends her time helping to propagate plants from cuttings and seed and keeping the stock-plants used for the cuttings thriving.
The nursery is continually increasing the range of rare and threatened plants it propagates, to support the conservation and protection of these species. The volunteers only grow plants native to WA and many of the plant species are not commonly available or grown by other nurseries.
“By growing these plants and making them available for people to plant in their home gardens, we hope to preserve them and ensure that they don’t go extinct, as well as increase appreciation of the beautiful flora that WA has and support efforts to protect it.”, Joanne said.
Learn more about the services and activities our local Northern Suburbs Branch have on offer.
What’s happening in the nursery right now?
Did you know it takes six months to grow a plant from seed or a cutting?
This means the nursery is busy propagating plants to sell in September and October, which will be the last chance for people to get plants in the ground before it gets too hot.
The Northern Suburbs Branch is also planning for a relocation of the nursery over the next year or two to larger premises so they can grow more plants.
Image: Sally from the Wildflower Society’s beautiful native garden.
Benefits of Biodiverse Gardens
Gardens filled with local wildflowers provide homes, food, and places to socialise for wildlife and pollinators, as well as forming important stepping-stones or wildlife corridors between local reserves and waterways. Native plants are well adapted to local conditions, making them more suitable in the context of climate change.
“Native plants have evolved in local conditions and climate making them more resilient, waterwise and easier to maintain. By selecting the right species you can have flowers and colour all year round. Native gardens will still look beautiful with reduced water and increased heat.”
There are also many health and wellbeing benefits from gardening and connecting with nature.
“Just imagine if everyone on your street had a biodiverse and waterwise garden, how this could transform our neighbourhood streetscapes into a cool, green and liveable nature corridors helping the birds, insects, frogs and native animals to safely move and forage, which is really important for the long-term health of our urban bushland and fauna species.”
Get involved
Volunteer your time to help conserve WA’s flora and vegetation communities through a local Friends Group, WSoWA (website and Facebook) or one of the many other incredible volunteering opportunities near you.
Plant WA native plant species at your home: there are also many great nurseries offering native plants, find one that specialises in native plants or waterwise plants.
Learn more about and connect with nature and local flora in your local area.
Advocate for the protection of WA’s flora and vegetation communities.
Spread the word, because together we can make a difference.
Upcoming Event: Plant Sale Day
The WSoWA’s Northern Branch nursery’s annual autumn plant sale is happening on Saturday 22 April, 9.00am – 2.00pm. There are approximately 300 species of native plants available for sale, from trees to groundcovers and everything in between – many of which you can’t buy anywhere else.
Joanne and many of the volunteers will be in attendance to help you choose plants suitable for your garden and provide advice and answer all your questions.
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 in 2004 before restoration (Image Credit: Don Poynton)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:
The City of Joondalup’s natural environment is biodiverse and unique, with many natural areas that provide a rich and valuable resource for residents, visitors, and native flora and fauna. Not only do natural areas provide valuable habitat for our native wildlife, but they are also important for recreational, educational, and aesthetic value within our community.
A Friends Group is a volunteer community group that works together with the City of Joondalup to preserve, protect and manage their local natural area within the City. Our Friends Group members are passionate individuals who love and want to protect and conserve the natural environment. Friends Groups can vary from informal, small groups to a more formal incorporated body.
The City of Joondalup appreciates the extensive work put in by its Friends Groups and takes pride in the considerable value that these groups bring to the conservation and management of our natural areas. Friends Groups, together with the work carried out by the City, are working towards revegetating, improving and protecting our valuable natural areas for the community and the native flora and fauna who enjoy them.
Friends Group Activities
Friends Groups may be involved in various activities for a particular reserve, with the aim of restoring the reserve’s conservation values and the community’s appreciation of the natural environment.
Friends Group activities include:
Monitoring and recording of flora and fauna
Weed control/removal
Guided nature walks
Rubbish clean-up
Seed collection
Community education (talks and presentations)
Fire prevention
Revegetation and planting.
Join or Form a Friends Group
There are many benefits to joining a Friends Group, including:
Making a real difference to the environment and helping to create a sustainable future by protecting local biodiversity and natural areas.
Networking and learning the expertise of managing urban bushland.
Meet new people and join a community.
Physical and mental health benefits, and well as improvement of general wellbeing.
Being outdoors in nature and enjoying your natural surroundings.
Experience seeing native wildlife and rare flora and fauna species.
Relive stress and keep your mind and brain healthy.
Placing an order with the City for free native plants to plant in your reserve.
Access to environmental training and workshops.
Access to various City grants.
Most groups are concerned with a parcel of bushland located near their homes. Below, you can view our Friends Group contact list if you are interested in joining a group near you. If no existing Friends Group exists for the reserve, the City encourages the establishment of a new Friends Group.
Interested in joining or creating a Friends Group?
