More than 1600 native trees are now in the ground along the Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) after hundreds of community members came together on Sunday for Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s inaugural Together With Nature festival.
Held on the banks of the river at Margaret River Hops, the one-day event combined hands-on conservation, cultural learning, live music, creative workshops and community celebration, with organisers describing the day as a resounding success.
Volunteers spent the morning planting native species along a restored section of river foreshore, helping improve water quality, strengthen wildlife habitat and contribute to the long-term health of the catchment.
The planting site is part of a major restoration project being undertaken by Margaret River Hops owners, the Funnekotter family, who have fenced off around one kilometre of river frontage to protect and rehabilitate the banks an important refuge pool.
Nature Conservation’s Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program officer Lauren Scanlon said the event exceeded expectations.
“We were absolutely blown away by the community response,” she said. “People of all ages came together to plant trees, learn new skills, connect with nature and celebrate this beautiful river that means so much to our community. Seeing hundreds of people working side by side for the health of the Wooditjup Bilya was incredibly inspiring.
“Every tree planted will help improve habitat, stabilise riverbanks and contribute to a healthier future for the river and the wildlife that depend on it.
“The event was about much more than planting trees. It was about creating connections — between people, nature, culture and community — and that’s exactly what happened.”
After the morning planting session, participants enjoyed a catered lunch from Cape to Cape Explorer Tours and Darnells General Store, live music from The Nomadics and Lemon Myrtle, spoken word poetry from Sari Bennett and a Welcome to Country and cultural wongi with Wadandi custodian Zac Webb from Undalup Association.
The afternoon workshop program featured hands-on activities for all ages, including cultural learning, wildlife conservation demonstrations, creative arts and environmental education with Zac as well as wildlife expert Simon Cherriman, River Ceramics’ Joline Hewison, and interactive art by Myra Giardini.
Nature Conservation thanked the Funnekotter family for hosting the event and for their ongoing commitment to restoring and protecting the Wooditjup Bilya.
The organisation also acknowledged the many volunteers, presenters, performers, sponsors and community members who helped make the day possible.
Together With Nature was presented as part of Nature Conservation’s Protect Wooditjup Bilya and Friends of Wooditjup Bilya programs, with funding from The Ian Potter Foundation, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Water Corporation and generous philanthropic donors.
Additional support was provided through WA Landcare Network’s 2026 Collaborative Event Funding under the theme LandCARE, CONNECT & COLLABORATE, with local business support from CrossFit Margaret River, Voyager Estate and Natural Earth Living.
Organisers say the success of the event demonstrates the community’s strong commitment to protecting and restoring the Wooditjup Bilya for future generations.