As part of the Water in the Landscape strategy, Healthy Estuaries WA has been partnering with catchment groups and grazing farmers in the South West to prevent nutrient-rich dung and urine from cattle and sheep from directly entering waterways.
Fences are constructed along the creeks and streams to keep the stock out and protect water quality, while the foreshore areas are planted with native seedlings to help restore the area. Over time, as the vegetation establishes, it helps to outcompete weeds, slow and filter paddock runoff to keep nutrients on the farm and enhance local biodiversity. This supports improved waterway healthy reducing nutrients that can increase the chances of algal blooms and fish kills, especially during summer months.
For one of our catchment partners, the revegetation has been an excellent opportunity to engage with the wider community. Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee (WICC) have engaged with local residents including school children to plant seedlings, and with Traditional Owners to enhance ecological knowledge and support project delivery.
With rising seedling costs across the South West, over the last two years WICC have widened their seed-collecting initiatives alongside the Southern Aboriginal Corporation Rangers, with valuable support from the Shire of Denmark. In 2025, they were busy collecting seed from private farms and local Denmark bush areas to grow seedlings for revegetation projects. Species that were collected include Eucalyptus (Jarrah, Marri, Albany Blackbutt), a variety of Banksias and Hakeas, as well as Allocasuarina species (sheoak) and some Podocarpus drouynianus (Emu Berry) cuttings.
Natalie Wallen, WICC’s Waterways Project Officer shares that “This involvement has been a significant learning journey for me personally. I have gained a deeper understanding of the optimal times to collect seeds from various species throughout the year and have learned about the processes required for seed extraction, including burning, soaking, and storing seeds in the warmer conditions of the seed tunnel. These methods are designed to replicate the natural cycles that seeds undergo in their native habitat.”
In the last few years, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of experienced seed collectors who have the expertise in timing, methodology and species selection for seedling success. This means there are less provenance (e.g. local) seeds available for purchase – and without capturing and preserving this valuable expertise, there will continue to be a decline in available seeds and a loss of the natives’ genetic diversity.
The work that WICC are doing with SAC to collect seeds and build ecological knowledge will boost the supply of provenance seeds for a future local nursery, increasing both the number and diversity of native seeds for revegetation projects.
Another key outcome of these efforts is to foster meaningful engagement and collaboration with the local Indigenous Australian rangers. Their connection to the land and native flora along with WICC’s seed collection initiatives bring together shared values, knowledge and mutual respect on country.
While the revegetation works generally require physical labour – such as to plant seedlings – seed sorting and cleaning workshops provide a more calming and gentle experience for those who cannot spend hours outside on their feet. Volunteers sit comfortably and remove chaff (the leaves, seed casings and other plant material) from the collected seeds and prepare them for propagation. This activity educates participants about the full seed-to-planting process and offers the chance to meet other community members over a cup of tea. As a bonus, there is often the opportunity to take home a few seeds to plant on their own property!
Western Australians value our natural environment and care about our waterways and estuaries. Protecting estuary health for future generations requires collaboration among government agencies, scientists, environmental advocates, Traditional Owners, and the community. By joining forces, diverse groups can achieve common goals, exchange knowledge, and foster meaningful connections, all while protecting our beautiful waterways and estuaries.
If you live in or around the Wilson Inlet, get in touch with the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee to get involved with volunteer efforts here: https://wicc.org.au/volunteer-eoi/.
Healthy Estuaries WA is delivered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), working with local partners like WICC to support practical on-ground actions that protect estuary health.