Nature Conservation Margaret River Region is celebrating a massive month of coastal conservation, with residents, families, volunteers and partner organisations coming together to care for some of the region’s most treasured coastal environments.
The conservation group’s Caring for Coast program saw strong community participation at the Gracetown Community Weeding Day last Sunday, with more events still to come across May and June focused on hands-on conservation, cultural learning and habitat restoration.
Despite a rainy morning, 28 volunteers removed 10 cubic metres of invasive weeds — or more than 100 wheelbarrow loads — from the Swimmers Beach site. Volunteers tackled onion weed, lattice weed and sea spinach, while learning more about native and invasive coastal plant species.
Upcoming events include the Cultural Coastal Walk at Hamelin Bay on Sunday 24 May from 10am to 12pm, and the Gracetown Community Planting Day on Sunday 30 May from 10am to 12pm.
Nature Conservation’s Caring for Coast Officer Chloe Deakin said it’s inspiring to see so many people stepping up to care for their local environment.
“We’re seeing people of all ages getting involved — families, kids, long-time locals, new residents and visitors — all coming together with a shared passion for protecting the coast,” Chloe said.
“These events are about far more than planting and weeding. They’re about building community, creating connection and empowering people to make a real difference locally. People leave feeling inspired, proud and more connected to the places they love. Kids get off screens and into nature, neighbours meet each other, friendships form and together we create lasting positive impact.”
The Swimmers Beach Project at Gracetown is a collaboration with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Region, Nature Conservation, Gracetown Cowaramup Bay Committee, Line in the Sand and WSL One Ocean. It focuses on tackling invasive weeds threatening sensitive coastal ecosystems and native vegetation, helping protect important habitat for local wildlife and improve the resilience of dunes and coastal heath.
The area between the carpark and Swimmers Beach foreshore has experienced significant disturbance in recent years due to storms, visitor traffic, drought and weed infestation.
The rope fencing installed by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River has played a key role in protecting the fragile dune system by reducing foot traffic and allowing native vegetation to recover. However, with less trampling occurring, invasive weeds including onion weed, lattice weed and sea spinach have become more established across the site.
While the site currently looks quite bare following weed removal, this is expected at this stage. Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Nature Conservation contractors will return to stabilise and prepare the site further, including smoothing the landscape, removing remaining root systems, and removing the weed pile from site.
The project includes four phases: last Sunday’s community weeding day, site preparation, a return visit by Adopt a Spot Year 4 students to continue weeding and planting native pigface, and finally the community planting day where volunteers will plant 800 native plants to restore the site’s natural integrity — a huge collective effort for the local coastline.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Cultural Coastal Walk at Hamelin Bay with Zac Webb from Undalup Association (now sold out) will provide participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Wadandi culture, connection to Country and the ecological significance of the coastline through shared knowledge and guided interpretation.
Ms Deakin said strong partnerships were helping make the program a success.
“We’re incredibly grateful to all our event partners, local supporters and volunteers who continue to show up for the coast,” she said. “Community-led conservation really works. When local people take ownership and care for these places together, the benefits flow for generations.”
Nature Conservation said its Caring for Coast program, funded by Line in the Sand group, continues to grow momentum as more people look for meaningful ways to contribute positively to the environment and community.
For info on the cultural walk and planting day, see www.natureconservation.org.au/events/