Hosted by the Green Head Coastcare Group in Green Head, the day started off with a Welcome to Country from Yued Elder, Charlie Shaw, before diving right in!
The theme of the morning agenda was, ‘Looking West’, where attendees were lucky enough to hear from world-class professors and students, representing Curtin University, University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and Western Australia Marine Science Institute (WAMSI). Topics included a look into our incredible marine environments – from deep sea waters to coastlines and beaches – and how they form part of Australia’s Great Southern Reef. At an impressive 8000 kilometres long, this reef stretches from the mid-west coast to the mid-east coast and around Tasmania.
Presenters raised awareness around these precious ecosystems and various threats they face, including overfishing, four-wheel driving, pressures of an increasing population and impacts of climate change (such as marine heatwaves and ocean acidification). To effectively assist ecosystems in adapting to future environmental changes, it is vital that natural resource managers understand the dynamics and functions of ecosystems. This also aids in educating others about the importance of our coastal and marine ecosystems, and inspiring a greater wave of conservation action.
After a hearty lunch and networking, we turned our attention inland with the afternoon’s theme of ‘Looking East’. Discussions were kicked off by NACC NRM’s very own, Dr Mic Payne, Senior Coastal and Marine Project Officer, who provided attendees with an update on the project, ‘Improving subtropical and temperate coastal saltmarsh in the Northern Agricultural Region’. This was followed by an insight into the remarkable diversity of plant life found within the Don and Joy Williams Reserve on Hi Vallee Farm and an informative session about varroa mite (Varroa destructor) and how this bee parasite will impact local beekeepers when it inevitably crosses the WA border.
To wrap things up, folks were given a breakdown of the Coastal Recreation Track Management Master Plan, developed by the Shire of Dandaragan in conjunction with the Shires of Coorow and Gingin. In positive news, the plan was recently adopted by the three Local Government Areas in the south of the NAR, receiving much praise, initiating a healthy discussion, and leading to an open floor forum before wrapping up for the day.
The wild and wintry weather did not deter the 50 plus dedicated community members from travelling the NAR for a day of learning, connecting and sharing. Though the issues threatening our coastal environments and communities are complex, coming together to collaborate on solutions inspires us to continue to tackle them, and benefits both the community and the natural environment. NACC NRM’s Coastal and Marine team look forward to the next opportunity to celebrate the NAR’s remarkable coastline and the extraordinary coastcarers that help protect it!
This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and NACC NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.