Planting season is in full swing, so it’s worth looking back at what we’ve achieved in winters past. Since 2020, 232 sheep, beef and dairy farmers across the south west and south coast have planted more than 260,000 seedlings and 20 kg of native seed along waterways on their farms.
Working with their local catchment groups, the farmers have been fencing stock out of the waterways and revegetating alongside them with native seeds or seedlings.
Healthy Estuaries WA’s Stream Restoration Project Coordinator Nadia Beale said that the farmers’ efforts have been supported by the community.
Photos: Stream planting with GeoCatch in Yoganup (left), Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee (WICC) officer Kylie Cook, Terran Ablett, volunteer Pauline Cook, and WICC officer Tim Gamblin preparing seedlings for revegetation efforts (right).
“It’s been really fantastic to see almost 1,000 people getting involved in the planting days, including the Danju Aboriginal ranger group. In many of the catchments, community volunteers and local schools have dug deep to help time-poor farmers get the new plants in the ground.”
Dung and urine contain nutrients that promote algal growth and can contribute to algal blooms and fish kills downstream. Keeping stock out of waterways not only supports healthier waterways but also helps to protect and stabilise the bed and banks, while reducing the risk of disease and injury to the stock.
Photos: Some of the Danju Aboriginal work crew installing fencing in the Leschenault catchment (left), stock drinking from newly placed trough (right).
Revegetating with native plants supports a healthy waterway ecosystem by filtering and using nutrients before they enter streams or rivers, while also providing much needed shade, food and habitat for wildlife.
Since 2020, 207 kilometres of waterways have been fenced and 122 hectares revegetated across six catchments through State Government funding as part of Healthy Estuaries WA.
Landholders who have a waterway running through their farm and who are interested to get involved can contact their local Catchment Officer, who will help them with project planning and potential funding.
Healthy Estuaries WA works alongside the PHCC, Leschenault Catchment Council, GeoCatch, Lower Blackwood LCDC, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group and Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee.
Learn more about the benefits of fencing stock out of waterways and revegetation here.