A day of planting, food, music and hands-on workshops will transform the banks of the Margaret River on June 7 for a new one-day tree planting festival called Together With Nature.
Led by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, the festival invites people to roll up their sleeves in the morning planting session, before settling in for a catered lunch, live music and a rich afternoon program of workshops spanning culture, science and creativity. Tickets can be booked via our Events Page.
From 10am to 12pm, volunteers will help plant 2000 native plants at a revegetation site along the middle reaches of the Wooditjup Bilya, hosted on the property of Margaret River Hops farmers, the Funnekotter family. The local landholders have committed to significant ecological restoration, including fencing off one kilometre of river foreshore to protect this important habitat — and organisers say their leadership and generosity is key to making the tree planting festival possible.
Food, festivities and workshops as part of Together With Nature
From 12pm, the focus shifts to food and festivities, with lunch provided by Cape to Cape Explorer Tours — including dessert by Darnell’s General Store — alongside live music from The Nomadics and spoken word poetry by Sari Bennett from Stitch Poetry. Then there’s a Welcome to Country and Wadandi cultural wongi (talk) with custodian Zac Webb.
The afternoon workshop series offers something for all ages and interests spanning science, culture, conservation and spirit. Participants can take their choice of workshops including:
- Hands on Wadandi rope workshop, led by Zac Webb and custodians from Undalup Association
- Wildlife expert Simon Cherriman demonstrating nesting boxes — and even installing one live in a tree
- A wild clay session for kids with River Ceramics artist Jolene Hewison
A free native plant will also be given away to attendees — helping extend the impact beyond the day itself.
Fun and meaning combine for tree planting festival
Nature Conservation’s Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program officer Lauren Scanlon said Together With Nature was designed to be as fun as it is meaningful.
“This is the kind of day where you can get your hands dirty planting trees in the morning, then kick back with great food, live music and choose-your-own-adventure workshops in the afternoon,” she said.
“It’s about bringing people together — families, friends, kids — to connect with nature and each other. You’ll learn something new, meet amazing people and walk away knowing you’ve made a real difference for the river.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Funnekotter family at Margaret River Hops for their commitment to restoring this special stretch of the river and for welcoming the community onto their property — it’s a wonderful example of local stewardship in action.
“With 2000 plants to get in the ground, we really do need all hands-on deck — but it won’t feel like hard work. It’s a celebration.”
A powerful example of community environmental action
Organisers say Together With Nature is the largest Nature Conservation volunteer planting event of the year, and a powerful example of community-driven environmental action.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for young people aged 6-18 and free for kids aged five and under, including lunch and your choice of at least two afternoon workshops.
The event is part of Nature Conservation’s Protect Wooditjup Bilya program, funded by The Ian Potter Foundation with support from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Water Corporation, and generous philanthropic donors. And the Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program, funded by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
Also assisting is the WA Landcare Network as a part of their 2026 collaborative event funding for the theme ‘LandCARE, CONNECT & COLLABORATE’. CrossFit Margaret River and New Earth Living are local business sponsors of the event.
Everyone in the community is encouraged to get involved and be part of one of the region’s most inspiring environmental events of the year. See www.natureconservation.org.au/events for tickets and info.