There is a packed spring program of free events for locals to learn more about the incredible nature of Cape Naturaliste, including guided wildflower walks.
It’s being offered as part of an ambitious new project that aims to protect and enhance nature across a huge swathe of Cape Naturaliste, delivered by an alliance of community, government and volunteer groups. The Friends of Meelup won a $300,000 State Natural Resource Management Program grant over three years from the WA Government to spearhead a project dubbed the Cape Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise (CNCE).
The CNCE involves weed and feral animal control plus waterway and coastal restoration to boost habitat for native plants and animals, restoring the fragmented landscape across Cape Naturaliste north of Caves Road between Yallingup and Dunsborough. Local landholders, residents, farmers, businesses, Aboriginal custodians and visitors are all invited to play a role.
The community events are part of the project and aimed at inspiring locals about the rare, endemic and special flora, fauna and geology of the Cape Naturaliste area, says CNCE spokesman Dr Bob Jarvis. Tickets are free but spots are limited, and registrations are essential through the Cape Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise Facebook page, or by clicking the links below. They include:
- A Wild about Wildflowers walk with the Friends of Meelup and CNCE starting 10am on Sunday, September 8 at Meelup Beach
- A second wildflower walk at the same time and location on Wednesday, September 11
- A third wildflower walk at the same time and location on Sunday, September 15
Two free sundowner events with expert speakers held at the Dunsborough District Country Club are also planned for October, with more details and tickets to be released soon.
“These free walks and sundowners are a fantastic opportunity for locals to get involved, learn more about the special environmental around Cape Naturaliste, and feel more connected to this incredible place we live, work and play. I’d encourage everyone to make the most of these free events with local experts,” says Dr Jarvis.
To deliver the CNCE project, the Friends of Meelup have partnered with Nature Conservation Margaret River Region to deliver a collaborative landscape masterplan. It will guide on-ground action to protect and enhance the important natural resources of the area, along with an education and awareness raising program. More than half of the project area is privately owned land, so there will be extensive community consultation as well as workshops and subsidies to help landowners do their bit to boost biodiversity on their properties.
Also on board as key partners are the City of Busselton, Yallingup Landcare District Committee, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, First Nations custodians and a range of other community groups. Line in the Sand philanthropic group have also contributed support for a feral animal study.
Cape Naturaliste is part of an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot, bound by spectacular coastline and home to endemic and threatened flora and fauna, Wadandi heritage sites, the Meelup Regional Park, parts of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park and local government reserves. But it faces threats on all fronts, including invasive weeds, feral animals, plant pathogens such as dieback, population pressure, land clearing, increasing tourism and the threat of fire.
Nature Conservation project manager Cass Jury says the Cape Naturaliste area has already suffered localised extinctions and has more than 50 plant and animal species considered endangered or threatened. But she said the cross-tenure, landscape-scale Cape Naturaliste Conservation Enterprise is an exciting opportunity to carry out meaningful work to give nature a real helping hand, bringing together landholders, government, conservation and community groups to work towards a common goal.
The project’s goals include improved habitat for native fauna and flora to thrive, boosted resilience to climate change and population growth, fostering a culture of respect and protection of the natural environment and an enhanced identity for the Cape Naturaliste area.
Friends of Meelup coordinator Bob Jarvis, Nature Conservation’s Mandy Polley, Wise Wines property manager Jake Bacchus, and City of Busselton councillor Mikayla Love