Visit www.perthseasternregion.com.au February/March 2020

Upcoming Dates:

Wetland restoration project at Broz Park  Clean Up Australia Day— By the March 1 2020  World Water Day— March 22 2020  Earth Hour—March 28 2020

Quick Contacts:

(08) 9257 9999  Shire of Mundaring (08) 9290 6666  (08) 9267 9267  EMRC (08) 9424 2222

Broz Park wetland Let us know if you would like to Photo: Shire of Mundaring receive this newsletter via Late November last year the Shire of Mundaring was successful in our application for fund- email—it’s another way you can ing from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program to the value of $26,248 help the environment! over two years for the restoration of the lake at Broz Park, Helena Valley.

To register, email the EMRC at Over the last couple of years, it was recognised that reduced rainfall, an increase in the population of water bird species, the feeding of these birds and a large number of feral [email protected] fish, predominately European carp, were all contributing to the poor water quality and with :“Subscribe to Greenpage” occurrence of algal blooms in the lake during the summer months. in the subject heading and your email contact details. For With the newly acquired grant funding and contributions from the Shire of Mundaring, it is further information, please our intention in the first year to undertake the removal of the feral fish, revegetate the water’s edge with 1,200 native sedges and undertake education programs regarding the contact Natasha Jones at the harm that feeding native wildlife can have on the birds and the water they live in. This will EMRC on (08) 9424 2216. also touch on the use of fertilisers in water catchment areas as well as the impacts of intro- ducing non-native fish into waterways. The Greenpage newsletter is compiled by the EMRC using In the second year, there will be another round of feral fish removal, along with the instal- multiple resources and authors. lation of an aeration system to help oxygenate the water, educational signage and follow up revegetation around the waters edge. This will greatly improve habitat for birds, frogs The views and opinions and other species while also aiding in the removal of unwanted nutrient from the water expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the EMRC or If you would like to help restore this lake at Broz Park and participate in any of the educa- the project sponsors. tion or planting programs, keep an eye on the Shire of Mundaring’s Facebook page for de- tails and dates of these events.

Site in Focus: Collaboration brings benefits to

City of Swan Waterway

By the EMRC

The Friends of Wangalla Brook is a young community group formed from teachers, students and parents connected with the Clayton View Primary School in Koongamia. The friends have started to remove weeds including Watsonia and conduct understo- rey planting through the degraded creek- line. The group will now receive additional support via the Eastern Regional Catch- ment Management Program (ERCMP). Through this collaboration between the EMRC and City of Swan, two grants have been awarded to the group; one through the Federal Community Environment Pro- gram (CEP) and another through DBCA Community Rivercare. The cash value of the grants is $27,872 with in-kind contribu- tions from volunteers, the City of Swan and Flannel flower (Actinotus leucocephalus) in the the EMRC totalling $40,438. recovering bushland (Dec 2019) These vital funds will allow the group to Photo: EMRC engage specialist weed contractors and purchase 3000 more native plants. The group will receive project support from the EMRC while it builds on its member base and the City of Swan is contributing specialised weed control from its Aboriginal Landcare Trainee Team along with additional plants. The EMRC will be running a series of environmental themed work- shops with school students to develop skills in the local youth.

The Wangalla Brook is rich in Whadjuk Noongar history and the grants will facilitate com- munity events which will bring Aboriginal Elders on to country to share their tradi- tional knowledge. Flora and fauna walks will be conducted Wangalla Brook to educate the community on the natural values of the bushland adjoining to the creek. There will also Photo: EMRC be a nest box building workshop at the school where students will learn how to create habitat for birds. Through these activities we will build community participa- tion and equip locals with the knowledge they need to continue caring for the Wangalla Brook, preserving it for future generations.

Join the war against European Wasps!

By the EMRC

The hunt is on again for European Wasps (Vespula germanica), a declared pest which is considered one of the worst wasps in the world and is impacting ’s Eastern Region. This highly aggressive introduced species, originating from Europe and North Africa, is harmful to people and threatens our natural ecosystems and horticultural and agricultural industries. European wasps are opportunistic predators and scavengers and will feed on human and pet food, posing a public safety risk. This characteristic is a feature of European Wasps and is not observed in other native wasp species. They also predate on vulnerable animals and other live insects, including bees, which decreases biodiversity and disturbs pollination. This has a flow-on effect, impacting on the agricultural industry and home gardeners alike. Summer is the best time to locate the nests of European Wasps as they leave their nests to scavenge for food. 90% of European Wasp nests are hidden underground, with wasps fly- A European Wasp ing in and out of a single hole. This is a distinctive characteristic of this wasp species. Other Photo: Department of Primary distinguishable characteristics include their black feelers/antennae, as opposed to the simi- Industries and Regional Develop- lar looking Paper Wasp which has orange/yellow antennae. European Wasps also fly with ment's Agriculture and Food Division their legs raised unlike other wasps which dangle their legs. For more information on how to identify this pest species, follow this link: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/european-wasp/ european-wasp-identification-guide. Unfortunately, a number of European Wasp nests have been found across the Cities of Kalamunda and Swan and the Shire of Mundaring. If you suspect you have seen European Wasps in your area, please contact the Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) on 08 9368 3080 or [email protected]. Alternatively, you can create a report online via MyPestGuide at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/mypestguide. You can also volunteer to participate in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) ‘Adopt-a-trap’ program, where you can adopt a surveillance trap and monitor it during the European Wasp season (December to May). If you would like more information about this program, please follow this link: https:// www.agric.wa.gov.au/european-wasp/european-wasp-adopt-trap-initiative. Let’s work together to help eradicate European Wasps from .

Comparing European Wasps with other native wasps and insects.

Photo: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Agriculture and Food Division

Is Lake Leschenaultia a healthy lake?

By the EMRC

On a cool summer’s morning in January families met at Lake Leschenaultia to take water samples and assess the health of the lake. Recording pH and salinity levels and discovering what is lurking beneath the water’s surface is an effective way to do this. Activities at Lake Leschenaultia The cool morning didn’t stop eager chil- Photo: EMRC dren and adults wading through the water to collect water samples and find aquatic animals which were identified using identification charts and Iscopes. They found fresh water snails; leeches; water boatmen; damselfly larvae; caddis fly larvae and dragon- fly larvae and of course lots of shrimp and gambusia fish (Mosquito fish, which is a pest species found in most water bodies in Australia). Participants tested pH and salinity using a water meter and then compared the pH using common pool or fish tank pH strips, which proved to be very accurate. The value of captivating a group of people and introducing them to an aquatic ecosystem cannot be underestimated. This activity was an opportunity to discuss the impact people have on local catchments and consequently the health of the Swan River. Lake Leschenaul- tia belongs to the Wooroloo Brook catchment which is made up of many tributaries that run into the Wooroloo Brook, which then flows into the Swan River at the confluence of the Avon and Swan River. Human activities such as feeding water birds can have a nega- tive effect on the health of the native animals plus increase the nutrient levels in the wa- ter. This increases soil bacteria which can lead to avian botulism, which commonly results in paralysis in the birds. Other activities such as littering, erosion from vehicles and the spread of weeds all decrease the quality of the water, which directly effects native plants and animals using it for survival. Lake Leschenaultia supports the lives of many native animals, i.e. frogs, water birds, rep- tiles and mammals and of course the macro-invertebrates. Based on these observations it appears that the lake is healthy!

Environmental Sustainability in the Hills

By the EMRC

All of the Boya posters

Photo: EMRC

In March 2020 the Mundaring in Transition organisation will host the Blue Sky Festival sup- ported by the Shire of Mundaring and the EMRC. This festival focuses on Environmental and Sustainability themes and aims to bring community members, especially families, to- gether. In preparation for the Blue Sky Festival 2020, The Shire of Mundaring and the EMRC invit- ed primary school aged children to participate in sustainability workshops at the Boya and Mundaring libraries. A variety of activities engaged participants in thinking about many aspects of sustainability. Participants played waste bingo and other games, read books, made insect hotels out of food tins and bags out of recycled t-shirts. When asked about their understanding of sustainability and related environmental issues the children displayed their knowledge with responses including; ‘Looking after the environment, looking after nature’, ‘Caring for animals and helping them to be safe’, ‘Taking care of plants’, ‘Recycling’, ‘Working together and using stuff that you still don’t need’ and ‘Picking up rubbish’. Using their ideas each child created a poster and these will be displayed in businesses around Mundaring to promote the Blue Sky festival.

Poster making in Mundaring

Photo: EMRC

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) organised an informative cultural and ecological walk featuring respected Noongar elder, Neville Collard and the local bird expert, Simon Cherriman, on Saturday 23 November. The walk was held within the Wooroloo Brook catchment and participants were from the local area. The aim was to increase an awareness of the catchment and provide an example of a reserve which has been supported by a local friends group, Friends of Gidge Reserve.

Neville had a yarn about bush medicine and tucker, engaging the crowd by offering dried, crushed marri gum to taste and explaining that it was used to treat stomach complaints and to heal wounds. He also discussed the Noongar six seasons and the strong connection Aboriginals have with the land.

Simon described the local bird populations and how they de- pend on the health of the Wooroloo Brook catchment for habi- tat and a food source. Hollow logs, in dead and live trees are important for nesting and a healthy water source is essential for a healthy bushland.

Bob Huston, former chairman of the Wooroloo Brook landcare Participants at the Gidgegannup Reserve walk group, and Bill ‘Spud’ Karoll, co-ordinator of Friends of Gidge Photos: The EMRC Reserve both emphasised the importance of protecting the native vegetation, i.e. banksia, hakea, xanthorrhoea, marri and eucalypt species to support the native fauna.

The morning was a great way to appreciate and learn the im- portance of managing and restor- ing the Wooroloo Brook catch- ment. If you are interested in join- ing our new landcare group and you have enthusiasm and a pas- sion for nature, please call Danae ‘ Warden on 9424 2262 or email [email protected] .

Simon Cherriman describing the importance of native plants in the ecosystem Neville Collard demonstrating some bush medicine techniques

This event was supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program

Rubbish Pick Up Day at Noble Falls Reserve By the EMRC

Eagle eyed members of the Wooroloo Brook catchment group (WBCG) noticed an area within the Noble Falls reserve littered with broken glass. This site had been used as a dumping site for many years and is located along a walk trail used by bike riders, horse riders and walkers. It posed a risk to wildlife and the people frequenting the area. The WBCG decided to do something about this unsightly and unsafe area and joined the City of Rubbish collected at the Noble Falls Re- Swan’s Adopt-A-Spot program. They spent the morning socialising and enjoying nature while serve cleaning the area and giving something back to the Photo: EMRC beautiful bushland. Participants spent 3 hours working, with a ‘much needed’ cuppa break. The cache of bro- ken glass collected was over 150kg. As the morning became warmer it was decided to stop for the day and the clean-up to recom- mence at a later date. Thank you to all of the participants, the local community will benefit greatly from your tireless contribution to the Wooroloo Brook catchment. If you are interested in assisting with the second clean up on Saturday, 22 February 2020 at 8:00am or are interested in joining the Wooroloo Brook catchment group please contact Danae Warden on 9424 2262 or email [email protected]

Holiday Workshops for 2020

In 2020 Bush Skills 4 Youth will deliver workshops that focus on helping children to develop an understanding of relationships between plants and animals in healthy ecosystems. Planning for holiday workshops is underway. Details and registration information will be on Eventbrite closer to the dates or visit www.perthseasternregion.com.au  CUTE OR CREEPY WATER CREATURES Wednesday April 22 9:30am – 11:30am For children aged 5 – 10 years accompanied by an adult

 PLANTS OF THE 6 SEASONS Discover the unseen critters in the river and on the banks and find out what they can tell us about how healthy the environment is. Location: Freshwater Park, Ascot Waters. Tuesday July 14 10:00am – 12:00 Noon For children aged 5 – 12 years accompanied by an adult Participate in a youth led project to grow native plants that represent the 6 seasons.

2020 Program - January to December Bush Skills for the Hills is a series of free workshops for the community, designed to give participants the skills to manage and appreciate everything that local bushland has to offer. The workshops are a refreshing mix of theoretical and practical infor- mation sessions. Please visit the Perth’s Eastern Region website in the new year to view the program and to register your interest in attending a workshop. https://www.perthseasternregion.com.au/sustainability-and-environment/environmental- workshops.aspx.

Greencard Training When: Saturday, 15 February 2020, from 9:00am to 12 noon. Where: West Swan Hall, Lot 1 West Swan Road, Henley Brook RSVP: Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/greencard-training-tickets Email [email protected] or call (08) 9424 2216 Morning tea provided This workshop covers all aspects of safety for volunteers working in bushland areas, including Hazardous Substance Handling Training. The accreditation is required for any volunteer wishing to use chemicals provided by the City of Kalamunda, Shire of Mund- Watsonia aring or City of Swan. Friends group coordinators are required to attend this workshop in their first year and at least once every three years after that. All group members are Photo: EMRC encouraged to attend.

Havens and Hideaways: Habitat considerations for quendas and other small marsupials When: Saturday, 4 April 2020, from 9:00am to 11:00am Where: Elsie Austin Pavilion and Lion Mill Creek Reserve, Austin Close, Mt Helena (Meet at Elsie Austin Pavilion) RSVP: Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/havens-and-hideaways-tickets Email [email protected] or call (08) 9424 2216 Tea, coffee and biscuits provided How do you rehabilitate bushland areas and maintain habitat for quendas and other small marsupials at the same time? Murdoch University’s Dr Amanda Kristancic will share her knowledge of quenda habitat considerations and the role artificial shelters Quenda can play in providing temporary sanctuary for quendas when undertaking bushland Photo: Kimberly Page restoration. A guided walk through nearby Lion Mill Creek Reserve will showcase the Friends of Lion Mill Creek’s current restoration project, where non-native vegetation is serving as important quenda habitat. Learn the importance of a staged rehabilitation approach, the benefits of artificial quenda shelter and investigate basic mar- supial monitoring techniques. Be prepared to get hands-on with helping to improve quenda habitat in the reserve. Please wear closed, water proof shoes and bring gloves and a hat. Upcoming workshops

 Talking Techniques: Exploring landcare  Seed Propagation practice across diverse landscapes  Native Grasses Walk and Talk  Citizen Science App Workshop  What fruit is that?  Friends Group Toolbox  Dieback Workshop Meeting Dates

Blackadder Woodbridge Catchment Group Lower Helena Association Incorporated TBA Tuesday, 17 March 2020 6pm Anglican Church, Ascension Hall, 17 Spring Park Road, Midland Woodbridge Hotel, 50 East St Guildford Contact Karen Warner on (08) 9424 2242 or email Contact Cat Williams on (08) 9424 2264 or email [email protected] [email protected]

Helena River Catchment Group Inc. Jane Brook Catchment Group Monday, 17 February, Monday 20 April 2020 Thursday, 27 February 2020 Octagonal Hall, 52 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest Mundaring Sharing Centre, 3 Craigie Place, Mundaring Contact Kathryn Johnson on (08) 9424 2245 or Contact Kathryn Johnson on (08) 9424 2245 or email [email protected] email [email protected]

Friends of Piesse Brook Susannah Brook Catchment Group Inc. Wednesday, 12 February 2020 Wednesday, 19 February 2020 Saturday, 7 March 11am, AGM at Woodbridge House Guildford Contact Kathryn Johnson on (08) 9424 2245 or email [email protected] Contact Cat Williams on (08) 9424 2242 or email [email protected]

WA Naturalists’ Club—Darling Range Branch Meetings held on the second Friday of each month, Jorgensen Park Pavilion, Crescent Road, off Mundaring Road, Kalamunda Details: https://www.wanaturalists.org.au/events www.wanaturalists.org.au email: [email protected]

WA Wildflower Society—Darling Range Branch The Darling Range Branch meets on the second Sunday of the month, at the Old Guide Hall, 5 Sanderson Road, Lesmurdie (Cnr Lesmurdie and Brady Roads)

Come and see what Native plant flowers in the City of Kalamunda at our our Herbarium.

Next Meetings: The Darling Range Branch of the Wildflower Society’s first meeting will be Sunday 8th March at 10am All enquiries to Lynda on (08) 9291 8753 or email [email protected] For further information, visit http://www.wildflowersocietywa.org.au/

Wildflower Society of WA—Eastern Hills Branch Propagation Group: Meets on Mondays twice a month to share knowledge about propagating native plants Seed Cleaning Group: Meets fortnightly on Wednesdays to prepare seeds for propagation Plant Learners’ Group: Meets on Mondays twice a month in a self-learning environment to iden- tify plants and expand knowledge of our native flora. For more information about any of these events: Web: www.wildflowersocietywa.org.au/branches/eastern-hills-branch/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/easternhillswildflowersoc/ Email: [email protected] Monthly Features

The information for this edition’s Noongar Season is provided by the EMRC’s Bush Cards 4 Youth, part of the Bush Skills 4 Youth program. The original information sourced from South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Kaartdijin Noongar— Noongar Language https://www.noongarculture.org.au, the Djidi Djidi AborigInal Women’s Group, Darlington and Surrounds Local Flora and Bushlands by Cliff Burns, the Western Australian Herbarium and Amanda Spooner. Noongar Season—Bunuru Second summer (season of the adolescence)

Bunuru is the hottest time of the year with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue with a cooling sea breeze most afternoons if you’re close to the coast. Therefore, tradi- tionally this was, and still is, a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estu- aries. Because of this, freshwater foods and seafood made up major parts of the diet dur- ing this time of year.

Bunuru is also a time of the white flowers with lots of white flowering gums in full bloom, including Jarrah, Marri and Ghost Gums. Another striking flower that is hard to go past is the female Zamia (Macrozamia riedlei). Being much larger than that of its male counter- Zamia (Macrozamia riedlei) part, the huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant with mases of a cotton wool like Photo by: Florabase substance. Content sourced from: http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/nyoongar/bunuru.shtml

Weed of the Month Tangier Pea (Lathyrus tiganitanus)

Tangier Pea is a troublesome herb or perennial climber which grows over native vegeta- tion and can increase fire fuels in bushland. Originally from northern Morocco, it is at home in the southwest’s Mediterranean climate and with abundant seed it can quickly become established in most areas. In addition, dormant seed may remain viable in the soil for several years. Recommended treatment is to control plants as soon as possible, pre- Tangier Pea (Lathyrus tiganitanus) vent seed set for several years where established to exhaust seed bank, graze or regularly mow the area if possible and to replant or encourage species that will increase the level of Photo by: Florabase shade.

Plant of the Month Spreading Snottygobble (Persoonia elliptica)

Snottygobbles like the Spreading Snottygobble used to be a common plant around the Eastern Region but they are now becoming more uncommon. Their seed is hard to germi- nate and the fleshy leaves are favored by kangaroos, so only few young plants make it to an age where they can set more seed. In the past, emu’s would eat the fleshy seed that fell to the ground and through abrasion in their tough gut, they would assist germination and spread the seed in their droppings. Noongar people would also collect the freshly fall- en seed as bush tucker. If you can get hold of Snottygobbles for your revegetation project Spreading Snottygobble (Persoonia it’s a great plant to add, but you may need to install a temporary fence around the plants elliptica) until they are higher than the herbivores which love them so much—but it will be worth

Photo by: Florabase the effort!

Off the Shelf

Noongar Bush Tucker Vivienne Hansen and John Horsfall

The book is clearly set out with images for each plant. Noongar names with botanical and common names are listed. Noongar knowledge of food and me- dicinal use is explained and the authors hope that this book will preserve bush tucker knowledge for future genera- tions of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. This book accompanies the earlier 2016 publication Noongar Bush Medi- Left: Noongar Bush Tucker – Bush Food Plants and Fungi of the South-West cine – Medicinal Plants of the South- of Western Australia by Vivienne Hansen and John Horsfall. (Published July West of Western Australia. 2019, University of Western Australia Press)

Contact Details

David O’Brien Mick Davis Kathryn Johnson Supervisor of Environment and Environmental Friends Group Officer Environmental Projects Officer Horticulture City of Kalamunda EMRC Shire of Mundaring Telephone: (08) 9257 9999 Telephone: (08) 9424 2245 Telephone: (08) 9290 6749 Email: Email: Mobile: 0408 924 989 DavidO’[email protected] [email protected] Email:

[email protected] Bradley Thompson Karen Warner Cat Williams

Coordinator Natural—Environmental NRM Coordinator Environmental Projects Officer Maintenance EMRC EMRC City of Swan Telephone: (08) 9424 2242 Telephone: (08) 9424 2264 Telephone: (08) 9267 9443 Mobile: 0428 101 223 Mobile: 0427 088 213 Email: Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]