VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 FEB/MARCH 2016

Top stories in this issue: It’s not easy being green!  How can you better By Mick Davis, Shire of Kalamunda attract volunteers

 Thinking Green Listening to the many environmental groups that want to control weeds; workshops friends and volunteer groups who are and

‘out there’ undertaking bushland man- - the provision of more technical advice  EMRC end of year agement activities across the Eastern and assistance with plant identifica- volunteer celebration wrap-up Region, it quickly be- tion and revegetation comes clear that there projects. are some unique chal- The Greenpage newsletter Attracting and retain- lenges facing environ- is compiled by EMRC using ing volunteers at a mental volunteers - and multiple resources and local level has be- authors. The views and not just the seemingly opinions expressed do not come even more chal- endless battle against necessarily reflect those lenging than it used to unwanted bushland of EMRC or the project be – people are busy, sponsors listed below. weeds! time is short and Whether it’s having the those that may have Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) right tools, managing been stalwarts for Photo: Shire of Kalamunda that grant paperwork, several years are at

having access to training workshops or risk of ‘landcare burn-out’ after working so Let us know if you would just maintaining your current level of hard for so long. So part of the challenge for like to receive this news- volunteers in a group, as Kermit the Frog group organisers is to make activities fun, rele- letter via email – it’s just another way you can help said, “It’s not easy being green”! vant and interesting so people who come along the environment! want to join in again. To register, email The recent Community Capacity Survey [email protected] undertaken by NRM lists a range of Providing training for key environmental activi- with “Subscribe to ‘capacity gaps’ identified by community ties (like weed control, plant identification, Greenpage” in the subject heading and your contact groups, including: grant writing etc.) also supports recruitment, as details. free skills workshops attract those with an in- - the need to support community For more information, terest and encourage connection with other contact Nina Stick on groups to attract and retain like-minded individuals and friends group 9424 2216. volunteers so current capacity members, which will often result in the uptake can be maintained; of skills that can be used on-ground. - the need for local government/ NRM groups to provide more Groups that receive technical advice and other training opportunities for those project support from partner organisations

Cont’d page 2………. P A G E 2

It’s not easy being green! cont’d By Mick Davis, Shire of Kalamunda

tend to run bigger, more for what each group wants to find out what support successful projects, which to do and allows for some you may be able to receive in turn encourages more shared planning to occur. for your next community people to join, delivers Other local government work day, training event, more noticeable results authorities are also looking grant application or and engenders a culture of at ways they can provide planting day. achievement. Of course, this sort of guidance and It might not be easy being the opposite is also true, support in the Eastern green – but in our eyes, so part of the challenge for Region; such as collabora- Poison Gully CVA team every environmental vol- community groups is to tive projects with regional after a workday unteer working in the East- Photo: Shire of Kalamunda plan for success and ask councils through programs ern Region is worth their for help with events when like EMRC’s Bush Skills for weight in gold! they need it. the Hills and Bush Skills 4 Youth. For further information, At a local level in the Shire please contact Mick Davis of Kalamunda, many So, if your group is finding on 9257 9999 or email friends groups are putting it hard to be green, please [email protected] their ideas on paper and get in contact with your a.gov.au creating Action Plans, local government’s envi- which helps the Shire plan ronmental officer or EMRC

How can you better attract and retain volunteers for your community group? An upcoming By Perth NRM practical workshop can now help you If attracting and recruiting Many groups comprise 1.00pm (Morning tea and with strategies to environmental volunteers seniors as volunteers and light lunch provided) Cost: better plan, recruit attracting a younger de- $30 per person. and manage your is an ongoing challenge for volunteers. your community group, mographic can be a real then you’re not the only challenge. To register, go to: one. www.trybooking.com/177 An upcoming practical 098 or http:// workshop can now help perthnrm.com/ you with strategies to community/events/ better plan, recruit and attracting-retaining- volunteers-workshop.aspx manage your volunteers.

Community workshop: For more information Attracting and Retaining about the event, please Volunteers, Saturday 12th contact Annette Hoskisson March 2016, Piney Lakes or Sharon Munro at com- Environmental Centre, [email protected] or phone 9374 3333. Leach Hwy, Winthrop Registration 8.45am. Workshop 9.00am to Young environmentalists at work Photo: Perth NRM P A G E 3 Increasing the potential to help your organisation find volunteers By EMRC

The launch of the new GoVol- Day, a day when we celebrate Volunteers can search, ex- unteer App is fantastic news the generous service of volun- press interest, shortlist op- for Volunteering WA mem- teers in Australia and around portunities and find short bers. The App will make it easi- the world, and thank them for term, on-going and even er for volunteers to connect to enriching our quality of life and one-off opportunities to organisations and vice versa. our global social cohesion. support a wide range of causes. They can also select Volunteering Australia, in part- The GoVolunteer App provides to receive notifications nership with Volunteering WA a national tool that will max- when a new opportunity imise and promote volunteer and Perth based web develop- matches their chosen crite- ment company Eduka, participation by engaging with ria. launched the GoVolunteer App existing and potential volun-

teers in a new way. With the in December 2015 in celebra- For further information, tion of International Volunteer GoVolunteer App people can visit: Day (5 December). now search Australia’s largest govolunteer.com.au/app database of volunteering op- Brett Williamson OAM, CEO, portunities while on the go, Volunteering Australia, said, making it even easier to find “What better way to launch volunteer positions. Australi- this great initiative than on the ans will truly have opportuni- eve of International Volunteer ties in their hand.”

Community Site in Focus SALP funded priority tributary restoration in Perth’s Eastern Region By EMRC

EMRC received funding from tial quenda living in the ex- weeping grass or Microlaena the Swan River Alcoa Landcare isting fallen logs. EMRC part- stipoides was used and has Program (SALP) in 2015 to con- nered with the Western Aus- established well in the shady duct revegetation and weed tralian Planning Commission site. control in the Shires of Mund- who attended the planting aring, Kalamunda and the City event and prepared the site. of Swan. Gilfellon Reserve Lower Lesmurdie Falls Re- A large thicket of blackberry, serve giant reed, snake vine and Historically, this has been the eastern states wattles were site of extensive control of removed from Dowie’s Creek giant reed and African feather- in Gilfellon Reserve in March grass. 1,700 riparian seedlings 2015 with funding from SALP and 1,250 sedges were plant- and the Shire of Mundaring. Giant reed, cotton bush and African love grass ed along the brook and on the control at Lower Lesmurdie Falls Reserve. 500 creekline seedlings were banks of the floodplain. Photo: EMRC planted by the community in Olive Grove North June 2015. A high proportion of ground cover species were For further information, con- 650 seedlings were planted on planted to prevent the re- tact Nina Stick on 9424 2216 a subsiding bank along the establishment of weeds and to or email Lower in Guild- stabilise the soil. A native grass [email protected] ford for soil stablisation and ground cover species known as to create habitat for residen- P A G E 4 BushCombined Catchment Skills Group meeting wrap up By Ariadne Macleod, EMRC for the Hills

Bush Skills for the Hills workshops are a series of FREE workshops for the community. They are designed to give participants the skills to manage and appreciate all that our local bushland has to offer. To register, please email [email protected] or call 9424 2216.

1. Know your Neighbours: Citizen Science and Black Cockatoos

Where: Jorgensen Park Pavilion, 20 Road, Kalamunda When: Saturday 12 March 2016 from 9am to 12pm

We are lucky enough to share south-west Australia with three species of black Male (left) and female (right) cockatoo. This workshop will look at how to distinguish between the species by Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos sight, sound, and even after the birds have flown away! You will also find out Photo: Keith Lightbody how you can contribute in important citizen science projects for these iconic Western Australians.

2. Green Card Training

Where: Parkerville Hall, corner Seaborne and Riley Roads, Parkerville When: Saturday 19 March 2016 from 9am to 12pm

This workshop covers all aspects of safety for volunteers working in bushland areas, including Hazardous Substance Handling Training. The accreditation is A volunteer from the required for any volunteer wishing to use chemicals provided by the Shire of Friends of Woodlupine Kalamunda and Shire of Mundaring. Friends group coordinators are required to Brook receiving his Green attend this workshop in their first year, and at least once every three years after Card that. All group members are encouraged to attend and morning tea will be Photo: Shire of Kalamunda provided.

Biocollect By EMRC

in the field-collection and management of biodiversity, ecological and natural resource management (NRM) data. The tool is hosted by the ALA and is free for involved in field data capture. BioCollect is a sophisticated, yet public use. It has been developed to simple to use tool developed by support the needs of scientists, the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) For further information, go to ecologists, citizen scientists in collaboration with over 100 www.ala.org.au/biocollect/ or email and natural resource managers organisations which are actively [email protected] P A G E 5

Thinking Green Workshop – ing details: you and help to identify ac- ‘Chemical Free Cleaning’ www.swan.wa.gov.au/ tions you can take to use your Presented by Ecoburbia. thinkgreen water and energy more effi- ciently and reduce household Free Eco Home Audits for To be held at West Swan Hall waste. Free or subsidised eco- Swan Residents on 20 Feb 2016. Are you con- friendly hardware products cerned about harmful chemi- will also be provided during Help the environment and cals in your home? Do you the audit visits. save money on utility bills! City want to make and try some of Swan is offering its residents homemade green cleaners? More information and booking in the Midland and Altone This workshop will explore the details: Place Management areas a reasons why a greener clean- www.swan.wa.gov.au/ free Eco home audit from Jan- ing regime is important around Residents/Sustainable_Living/ uary to March 2016. the home and have a hands-on Be_Energy_Wise/ component. Save_energy_in_the_home/ An experienced auditor from Free_Eco_home_audits_for_ More information and book- Environment House will visit Swan_residents EMRC end of year volunteer celebration 2015 wrap-up By EMRC

EMRC, Shire of Kalamunda, extensive networking between Patterson’s cute “wet feet – Shire of Mundaring, City of catchment and friends groups, no way” photo, respectively. Swan and the Department of staff and Councillors, with en- The atmosphere of the Parks and Wildlife hosted the joyable food and drinks, afternoon was lively and annual end of year volunteer presentations and a photo seemed to be enjoyed by all celebration for Landcare vol- competition. Participants voted in a peaceful bushland unteers at the Hartfield Coun- for their favourite photo which setting. (Clockwise from top) Lynda try Club, Wattle Grove on 27 resulted in a tie between Black- and Bill Tomlinson from November 2015. The event adder Woodbridge Catchment For further information, Friends of Piesse Brook celebrated the tremendous Group and Friends of Piesse contact Nina Stick on 9424 committee, and Alan and efforts of the volunteers in Brook, with Phil Cloran’s amaz- 2216 or email Brenda Shaw from Friends protecting and enhancing the ing “black winged stilts explore [email protected] of Kershaw Avenue Reserve natural environment in Perth’s Blackadder wetland” and Ken at end of year volunteer Eastern Region. There was event. 2015 Photo: EMRC Red Hill Waste Management Facility community tours

Is your community group in Perth’s Eastern Region?

Do you have an interest in the environment and waste management?

If so, why not visit Red Hill Waste Management Facility for a tour to find out where your waste ends up and how it is managed. Groups must provide their own bus.

Tours are available Monday to Friday free of charge to community groups in the region. For more information, visit www.rgang.org.au/tours.html to book a tour or contact Bronwyn Lee on 9424 2271 or email [email protected] P A G E 6 GO BUSH in 2016 with Bush Skills 4 Youth (BS4Y)

Step into the world By EMRC of amazing native birds with ornithologist, Simon Cherriman.

Following a very successful birds with ornithologist, first year in 2015, BS4Y will Simon To subscribe to the mailing offer young people aged 8 Cherriman. One will be for list, visit - 16, youth groups, schools young people aged 8 – 12 bushskills4youth.com.au and homeschool families and the other will be for opportunities to experi- the 12 – 16 age group. For further information, ence the natural environ- Dates, locations and other contact Cathy Levett on ment and learn skills to details will be advised. Children enjoying and learning about 9424 2244 (Monday to care for it. the creekline Wednesday) or email FREE BS4Y SCHOOL HOLI- Cathe- Photo: EMRC DAY WORKSHOPS. [email protected] During the April school holidays, BS4Y will offer two workshops on native

Stormwater Industry Association awards By the Department of Parks and Wildlife

The Rivers and Estuaries The Wharf Street Wetland of skills, knowledge and Division (RED) of the De- and Civic Parklands pro- practice among govern- partment of Parks and jects treat stormwater and ment and industry urban Wildlife has won two cate- enhance amenity and hab- water sector practitioners. gories of the recent 2015 itat adjacent to the Can- The program has consist- Stormwater Industry Asso- ning River. ently identified knowledge ciation (SIA) awards. gaps and delivered training The project incorporates and knowledge sharing The RED’s Wharf Street surface and subsurface opportunities that the Wetland and Civic Park- flow wetlands and has state stormwater industry lands project scooped the been rigorously monitored has come to rely on. award for Excellence in and evaluated since 2009. Research and Innovation. Evaluation outcomes and The WA project winners, The judges were im- project learnings have gain automatic entry into pressed by the projects’ made the wetland a valua- the National Stormwater continued process of ble demonstration site. Awards for Excellence learning and adaptation 2015 – 2016 which will be The New WAter Ways RED’s Peter Adkins & Jennifer Stritz- and the provision of ongo- held on the Gold Coast (NWW) program also ke accept the award for Excellence ing learning opportunities during August 2016. in Research and Innovation for the topped the SIA category through collaboration be- Wharf Street Wetland and Civic for Excellence in Policy or For further information, tween educational and Parklands project in the Canning. Education. NWW is a ca- contact Peter Adkins on Photo: Stormwater Industry Associ- research bodies working pacity building program 9278 0915. ation alongside government that aims to raise the level agencies. P A G E 7 Meeting updates

Blackadder Woodbridge Catchment Group Inc. Helena River Catchment Group Inc.

Date and time TBA Monday 18 April 2016 at 7pm Old Midland Courthouse, Helena St, Midland Octagonal Hall, 52 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest Contact Karen Warner on 9424 2242 or email Contact Jaya Vaughan on 9424 2245 or email [email protected] [email protected]

Friends of Piesse Brook Jane Brook Catchment Group Inc.

AGM Saturday 20 February 2016 at 12pm Thursday 25 February 2016 at 7pm 41 Carlisle Road, Kalamunda Mundaring Sharing, 3 Craigie Place, Mundaring Contact Jaya Vaughan on 9424 2245 or email Contact Jaya Vaughan on 9424 2245 or email [email protected] [email protected]

Lower Helena Association Incorporated

Tuesday 15 March 2016 at 6.15pm at the Old Midland Courthouse, Helena Street, Midland Contact Jaya Vaughan on 9424 2245 or email [email protected]

WA Wildflower Society - Eastern Hills Branch Next talk Next meeting (s)

The next talk will be held on Friday 26 February 2016 at Next meeting will be held on Friday 18 March 2016 at 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start Venue – Octagonal Hall, McGlew Road, Glen Forrest Venue – Octagonal Hall, McGlew Road, Glen Forrest Speaker – Dr Stephen van Leeuwen Speaker – Dr Neil Gibson Topic – Stephen’s work in the Topic – 100 years of mapping vegetation in WA 40th Anniversary celebration Visitors welcome. Door fee $2 Public Presentation by Professor Kingsley Dixon held on Contact Cathy Car on 0404 959 654 or email Thursday 14 April 2016, time TBA Venue - Mundaring Civic Centre [email protected] Topic - What it means to live in a biodiversity hotspot

WA Wildflower Society - Darling Range Branch

Next meeting (s) Next activity

The next meetings will be held on Sunday 13 March and Bush walks commence Sunday 24 April 2016 Sunday 10 April 2016 at 10am Contact details Venue – Old Guide Hall, 5 Sanderson Road (near Lesmurdie/ Contact Lynda Tomlinson for more details on Brady Roads) 9291 8753 or email [email protected]

WA Naturalists’ Club - Darling Range Branch

Next meeting (s) Next activity

Meetings are held on the second Friday of the month Excursion to Perth Zoo on Friday 18 March 2016 Date - 11 March 2016 Time - Proceedings start at 7:30pm Contact details Venue - Kalamunda Community Hall For further details, please contact Arthur Conacher on Speaker - Kylie Bullo Topic - Orangutans 0419 785 460 or email [email protected] Visitors welcome. Door fee $3. P A G E 8 Noongar season - Bunuru Second summer (season of adolescence) February to March Another striking Bunuru is the hottest time the white/cream flowers continues, the seed upon flower that is hard of the year with little to no in full bloom, including the cones change from to go past without rain. Hot easterly winds jarrah, marri and ghost green to bright red, indi- noticing is the continue with a cooling gums. Another striking cating they're ripening and female Zamia seabreeze most after- flower that is hard to go becoming more attractive (Macrozamia noons if you're close to the past without noticing is to animals, particularly the riedlei) coast. Therefore, tradition- the female Zamia emu, that will eat the toxic ally, this was, and still is, a (Macrozamia riedlei). fleshy outer. great time for living and Being much larger than fishing by the coast, rivers that of its male counter- For more information, visit and estuaries. Because of part, the huge cones bom.gov.au/iwk/ this, freshwater foods and emerge from the centre of nyoongar/ seafood made up major the plant with masses of a kambarang.shtml or parts of the diet during cotton wool like sub- ecu.edu.au/schools/ this time of year. stance. kurongkurl-katitjin/ news-and-events/ Bunuru is also a time of As the hot, dry weather newsletter-our-place

Plant of the month Grey honey myrtle (Melaleuca incana) By Brad Thompson, Shire of Mundaring

Melaleuca incana is a and summer. soil types making it ideal in small to medium size erect degraded sites and in It is excellent as a screen- shrub, growing to 2-3 me- farmland rehabilitation. It ing bush, tolerant to a tres in height. It has a dis- occurs on sandy, and clay- wide range of tempera- tinctive weeping form, ey soils over ironstone. tures and varying levels of with rough grey bark and These features makes M. rainfall, with good bird- hairy blue-green leaves incana a good option to attracting properties. tapering to a point. The consider, not only as a bird Melaleuca incana in It is a useful revegetation -attracting garden orna- flower plant produces 3-4cm Photo: Brian Walters long, bottlebrush-shaped species in creekline areas mental, but as a useful (crowded in rounded and can tolerate mildly windbreak on farm pad- heads) flowers in cream or salty conditions, water- docks and as a valuable revegetation option. white, appearing in spring logged sites and various

Blackberry Weed of the month infestation of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) creekline in Shire of By Brad Thompson, Shire of Mundaring Mundaring Photo: Carli Allen Blackberry is a vegetation and shading stems. Flowers are pink or Weed of National out native species. white and copious berries Significance A perennial shrub, black- are produced in favourable (WoN’s), choking berry is easy to identify conditions turning from waterways with a with a distinctive dark green to red and then thorny mass of green leaf and sharp hairy black. In WA blackberry is Cont’d page 9……... P A G E 9

Weed of the month cont’d Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) most active in summer, young infestations, spraying the foliage material, as thorns will tear suckers of the plant can grow and waiting for it to dry out, thinner tarps or plastic). After up to 80mm per day. Control then following up with slashing treatment, ongoing follow-up is best implemented during the remaining stems using a will be required and it is highly summer, when blackberry is starblade brushcutter or recommended that actively growing in creeklines chainsaw. revegetation planting is and damp areas. A undertaken to prevent further Smaller infestations can be hand combination of mechanical weed infestations establishing pulled or spot sprayed, and chemical control yields within the bare treated solarisation can be useful in ground. best results on large appropriate spots (with thick

Animal of the month Bobtail (Tiliqua rugosa) By EMRC

Known as yorna by Noongar are often killed on roads at this trate grevilleas, fringe lilies people, bobtails occur widely time, so should act as a warn- (Thysanotus spp.) and dianel- Be aware of throughout south west West- ing to motorists to please take las to provide shelter and bobtails on the ern Australia and extend care while driving in peri- place a few large rocks or old move as the across the Nullarbor into urban areas. Another threat to logs around the garden. weather South Australia, Victoria and these gentle animals is the warms up New South Wales. lawn mower. Always check Bobtails can be easily excluded your garden before you start by constructing a low fence or Bobtails are immediately rec- mowing or line-trimming to by using fine meshed bird wire ognizable by their shingle-like avoid killing or injuring them, to create a cage to protect scales covering their stout and avoid using snail pellets plants. Any injured fauna can bodies and short stumpy tails. around the garden. You may They have broad, triangular also come across bobtails en- heads and their bodies are joying the sunlight along bush banded and colour is variable; trails. brown, grey and/or black. Bobtails tend to feast on gar- Bobtails prefer areas with low, den snails, slugs, earthworms, dense shrubs and thick leaf road kill and soft fruits and litter where they can hunt and flowers. On locating such food look for fruits and flowers. At sources, bobtails will typically Bobtail with banded markings night they shelter under large test its palatability using the Photo: EMRC rocks and logs or bury them- tip of its tongue as a sensing selves among the leaf litter. organ and, if reacting favoura- be taken to Kanyana Wildlife Like all reptiles, bobtails are bly, will scoop up the favoured Rehabilitation Centre. ‘solar-powered’ and need to item with a sideways action of Be aware that it is unwise to bask in sunny areas during the the lower jaw. This is followed translocate bobtails from their morning before setting out in by quite comical episodes of home surrounding. search of food. chewing, gulping and gasping for air! They are opportunists! Content courtesy of Guide to Be aware of bobtails on the the Wildlife of Perth and the move as the weather warms To encourage these lizards South West (see page over for up. Unfortunately, slow mov- in the garden, avoid using details) and ing bobtails, perfectly camou- any chemicals and plant www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/ flaged in the dappled sunlight, sprawling shrubs, such pros- HBItem_144097.PDF

Guide to the Wildlife of Perth and the South West. Reptiles by Paul Orange and Glen Gaikhorst, invertebrates by David Knowles and Gilbert Whyte, fungi by Gerhart

Saueracker, birds, mammals and wildflowers by Simon Nevill.

This comprehensive guide has chapters on birds, mammals, bats, reptiles and frogs, inver- tebrates, wildflowers and fungi. The introduc- tion covers observing wildlife in the Perth and South west region as well as a guide to localites.

Perth: Simon Nevill Publications, 2014. Octavo, paperback, 332 pp. colour photo- graphs, maps.

www.andrewisles.com/all-stock/publication/guide-to-the-wildlife-of- perth-and-the-south-west Image: www.andrewisles.com/all-stock/ publication/guide-to-the-wildlife-of-perth-and- the-south-west

CONTACT DETAILS

Karen Warner Brad Thompson NRM Coordinator, EMRC Bushcare Co-ordinator Telephone: (08) 9424 2242 Shire of Mundaring Mobile: 0428 101 223 Telephone: (08) 9290 6685 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Jaya Vaughan Mick Davis NRM Officer, EMRC Environmental Friends Group Officer Telephone: (08) 9424 2245 Shire of Kalamunda Mobile: 0408 924 989 Telephone: (08) 9257 9999 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Do you have a story or event relevant to the Greenpage? Copies of the Greenpage newsletter, as well as other Forward your contributions to information, can be found at emrc.org.au/eastern-region- [email protected] or call 9424 2216 . catchment-management-program.html

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