Team Retreat to Mt Gibson

Every year the NACC NRM team takes two days out of the office and away from the daily grind to reconnect; with each other and with the fabulous work that our community and partners are doing in the region. Last year we visited Green Head and helped Green Head Coastcare Group to place brushing which helps stabilise dune ecosystems. In 2022 it was time to venture inland. Boy were we spoilt.

Our team retreat initiative is a team-led activity. A small self-nominated staff committee plan the annual trip. They liaise with partners, Traditional Custodians and caterers and make logistical arrangements for the team.

Our 2022 inland adventure took us to AWC’s Mt Gibson Sanctuary.  We were treated to an amazing feast under the stars thanks to the campfire cooking prowess of Jo Clews. But dinner was not the end of our adventures for the day. After dark was when the real action happened.

AWC’s Mt Gibson Sanctuary is a special location for many reasons, not the least of which is their world class feral predator free enclosure. They are constantly monitoring the imposing fence which keeps foxes and cats away from populations of Bilby’s, Woylie’s, Stick-nest rats and other highly predated small native mammals.

In addition to monitoring the fence, it is also important to undertake regular fauna surveys to monitor species abundance. The NACC NRM team were very happy to offer their eyes to the spotlighting and survey cause. It was clear from our short time in the enclosure that the species inside are benefiting from the protective fence. The site has been so successful, that for some species, Mt Gibson is being used as a source site for relocation of animals to other parts of WA.

There are very strict protocols in place to manage population abundance and genetics as part of the translocation process. These protocols are all expertly managed by the team of on-ground ecologists at AWC, including our very own former NACCer, Dr Amanda Bourne who joined AWC in May. The protocols are also strictly monitored by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Don’t worry, AWC did not pass on the opportunity to put a group of 16 captive volunteers to work. Over two days the NACC NRM team contributed around 45 volunteer hours making universal bait balls (a delicious mix of oats, peanut butter and sardines), gardening in the small burgeoning botanic garden and monitoring.

So far, Mt Gibson has been able to re-release nine out of the planned ten species which were regionally extinct into the enclosure. NACC NRM with funding from the Australian Government through Regional Land Partnerships is very proud to be supporting the translocation of one final species in 2022/23. The Western Quoll, sometimes referred to as Chuditch, is a small carnivorous mammal, which AWC is working towards translocating outside the fenced area. You may ask ‘why outside’? The long-term goal is to re-establish wild populations across the entire Mt Gibson sanctuary. With the creation of suitable conditions, it is hoped they can be sustained without the enclosure.  

If you have a community project idea that we can support for our next team retreat, or you have a team that would like to support a project activity, get in touch with us.

Katherine Allen – CEO

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CEO’s Report

In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.