Nature Conservation Margaret River Region is thrilled to announce the inaugural 2026 River Celebration Month, part of its Protect Wooditjup Bilya program honouring the Margaret River’s cultural and environmental significance.
Running from March 7-22, the celebration offers four engaging events for the whole community – including community art workshops; outdoor river and land art experiences; a sundowner and movie night; and a cultural paddle on the river.
The month begins with four Community Art Workshops under the trees beside the Old Settlement, with morning and afternoon sessions on both Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Led by Wardandi custodians Nan Vivian (Viv) Brockman-Webb and Mitchella Hutchins alongside artists Elaine Clocherty and Mick Hart, two workshops will explore collaborative land art, while two additional workshops with Cynamon Aeria will offer weaving with natural fibres. These workshops invite participants of all ages to connect with place through creativity and shared learning, with tickets priced at $10 including morning or afternoon tea.
At the heart of the celebration is the free Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail. Guided by Wardandi cultural leadership and shaped through creative collaboration, the immersive trail along the River Trail at the Old Settlement showcases ephemeral artworks by local artists alongside contributions from Artzability, local schools and the wider community. Blending cultural knowledge, artistic expression and ecological awareness, the trail reflects the strong partnership between custodians, artists, community and organisations as we come together to celebrate and care for the river.
The trail will open with a vibrant community gathering on Saturday, March 14 – join in creating a collaborative artwork from 10am or attend the official opening from 1–5pm, featuring a Welcome to Country, cultural yarns, artist conversations and river ecology talks, offering a warm invitation for families, locals and visitors to connect with Wooditchup Bilya and one another.
Nature Conservation’s Hannah Weir alongside artists Mitchella Hutchins, Kyllie Deltonda, Nan Vivan Brockman Webb, Elaine Clocherty, Mick Hart and Cynamon Aeria – who are all involved with the Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail.
“Take a walk along the river like you’ve never experienced before, with an art trail showcasing a series of temporary artworks produced by local artists, the community and school children – while attendees on the day can also roll up their sleeves to help create a spectacular ephemeral art piece,” says Nature Conservation’s project manager Hannah Weir.
“It’s going to be loads of fun and, through storytelling and art, the trail will encourage people to connect with the river, Country and environmental care, helping build a legacy of stewardship.”
The third event as part of 2026 River Celebration Month unfolds on Wednesday, March 18 with the Wooditjup Bilya Sundowner and Movie Night at the Margaret River HEART. It is the latest in Nature Conservation’s environmental sundowner series and features three expert speakers on river stewardship.
The panel will bring together different perspectives to explore how we “give voice” to the river, including through cultural custodianship, scientific understanding, and community action. The audience will also be treated to the full screening of the stunning documentary River, written by Robert Macfarlane and narrated by Willem and exploring the relationship between human civilization and Earth’s rivers – in all their majesty and fragility.
Tickets to the sundowner and movie screening are $15 for Nature Conservation members and $25 for non-members including a free drink and canapes.
An image from the documentary to screen during the sundowner
“The Sundowner will explore the idea of river stewardship, and how this responsibility is shared, expressed, and experienced in different ways,” says Hannah. “It’ll be a great chance for people to reflect on their own relationship with the river — culturally, scientifically, emotionally, and as community members — and to consider what stewardship looks like in practice”.
“The screening of River then offers a powerful, immersive lens — zooming out to the global significance of rivers, while grounding us again in the local context we’ve just been discussing. The intention is for people to leave feeling connected, reflective, and quietly motivated.”
The final event of the month is a Wooditjup Bilya Cultural Paddle on Sunday, March 22 guided by traditional owner Zac Webb from Undalup Association and co-hosted by Josh Palmateer from Margaret River Kayaks and Canoes.
Participants will each have a kayak and head upstream from the Margaret River mouth to discover the river’s natural beauty while learning about its ecological and cultural importance. There are two sessions – from 8am-9am and 10am-11am – with numbers capped at 30 people and tickets priced at $35 each.
Paddling on the Margaret River
The celebration month is an important part of Nature Conservation’s Protect Wooditjup Bilya project, a four-year program of research, conservation, and community stewardship.
“Wooditjup Bilya is a very special river,” Hannah says. “Through collaboration, research, and community action, we can protect the biodiversity of the Margaret River catchment and empower people to actively care for this vital waterway.”
Protect Wooditjup Bilya officer Hannah Weir
The program is funded by the Ian Potter Foundation and receives support from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Water Corporation, and generous philanthropic donors. The River and Art Trail project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.
“The River Festival will showcase what our program is all about – celebrating and protecting the river, sharing practical tips for caring for and coexisting with wildlife, encouraging citizen science, and supporting landholders with conservation initiatives,” Hannah added.
Grab your tickets and get involved at www.natureconservation.org.au/events/.