Welcome to the Djeran edition of Perth NRM's newsletter for 2026!
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Perth NRM e-News
May 2026
Kaya! Welcome to Perth NRM e-News
Welcome to the Djeran edition of Perth NRM's newsletter!
Djeran brings upon cooler nights, and the presence of dew in the morning. Banksia's are in bloom providing food for birds and insects.
Read on below for exciting updates to our projects, and upcoming events!
WA MUSEUM COMMUNITY SCIENCE DAY
COME AND JOIN US TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY SCIENCE
Our Coastal and Marine Team would love to see you at the Museum Lab: Community Science event on Saturday 9 May at WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Perth NRM will host an interactive, hands-on stall to showcase CoastSnap, a citizen science program helping monitor coastal change along Perth’s beaches.
You can explore a beachcombing table filled with fascinating natural items found along the coast, sparking curiosity about what washes up on our shores. Hand-held microscopes will allow young scientists and curious minds to take a closer look at marine objects commonly found along the Perth coastline.
Alongside these activities, families will learn how CoastSnap stations are helping coastal managers to track erosion and coastal change by encouraging beachgoers to take photos from the same location over time.
At the stall, families will learn how CoastSnap works, why monitoring our coastline matters, and how anyone with a phone can contribute to real coastal science. Two stations are already operating in Rockingham, with seven additional stations being installed across Perth’s metropolitan beaches in 2026.
The stall will connect discovery and play with real-world science, showing how small actions can add up to big insights to help protect Perth’s coast.
In 2025, Sir David Attenborough released a movie called Ocean and he says, “If we save the sea, we save our world.” We are excited to join the global celebration of Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday, as part of Museum Lab: Community Science, and commemorate his lifelong support for nature, science and people working for the environment.
For more information about the event visit WA Museum. If you would like to know more about Perth NRM’s Coastal and Marine Program please contact Kate Sputore, Executive Manager Environment at kate.sputore@perthnrm.com
SIR DAVE DAY SMALL GRANTS OPEN
In recognition of Sir Dave Day on Friday 8 May, applications are now open for the Perth NRM 2026 Small Grants for volunteer groups, to support the invaluable work of landcare groups across our region.
“Sir Dave Day is an invitation to come together and celebrate the invaluable efforts of this giant of a man and let him know how appreciative we are of his invaluable work”
Perth NRM would like to thank all environmental groups and their volunteers who generously contribute to restoring and conserving nature across the Perth Region.
PERTH NRM BOARD CHANGES
NEW CHAIR AND DEPUTY CHAIR
Perth NRM would like to share some recent changes to our Board.
After three and a half years in the role of Chair, Dr Elena Limnios has stepped down from the Perth NRM Board. We want to thank Elena for her guidance during her time with Perth NRM, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Perth NRM is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Widenbar as Chair and Glenice Batchelor as Deputy Chair.
Tom has been a Director of Perth NRM since October 2021 and served as Deputy Chair since December 2023. Tom brings valuable governance experience as an elected Councillor for the City of Cockburn since 2019, including as Deputy Mayor from 2021 to 2023 and has a professional background in environmental impact assessment and management.
Glenice has served on the Perth NRM Board since October 2019. Coming from a farming background, she lives and works at Hilltop Farm in South Tammin. Glenice previously served as President of the Shire of Tammin and Chair of Wheatbelt NRM.
Please join us in congratulating Tom and Glenice as they step into their new roles.
WALGA 2026 ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT FORUM
Artwork: Walking on Country - Tamara Hayden
EMPOWERMENT IN ACTION
Taking place in harmony week, this year’s theme, ‘Kaartidjin kwop kooliny/Empowerment in Action’, was brought to life from the onset by a moving welcome from State Councillor and City of Kwinana Deputy Mayor Barry Winmar.
Through a powerful combination of personal reflection and purposeful Noongar language, Winmar explained how Kaartidjin reflects more than mere knowledge; encompassing learning from boodja (country), from Aboriginal knowledge holders, and from each other. When guided by Kwop (cultural values), that knowledge can be used in the right way, for the right reasons, and put into action for the wellbeing of both community and country.
FIRST NATIONS DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE CALENDAR
DOWNLOAD YOURS NOW!
To celebrate the upcoming National Sorry Day, and Reconciliation Week this month we're excited to release our First Nations Dates of Significance Calendar, featuring artwork by our First Nations Content Specialist, Paige Littlefair.
A proud Wudjari woman originally from Esperance, Paige brings a vital cultural perspective to our team. While studying Law at Curtin University, she works to weave First Nations knowledge and perspectives into everything we do.
WOOROLOO POST-FIRE RECOVERY PROJECT
GIDGEGANNUP LOCALS SUPPORT THEIR MICROBAT COMMUNITY
The Perth region supports a diverse community of microbats. These small, nocturnal mammals are entirely insectivorous and play an important role in our ecosystems by helping to regulate insect populations (including mosquitoes!).
The 2021 Wooroloo bushfire affected the Gidgegannup community and many of our local native species due to habitat loss. This includes our microbats.
Perth NRM, Susannah Wooroloo Catchment Group and the Gidgegannup Men’s Shed were keen to help, hosting a recent workshop to inform the community about their habitat needs and building 14 bat boxes. The well-designed and constructed bat boxes will be installed in several Gidgegannup reserves, in support of these tiny mammals.
SAF MAY 2026 UPDATE
MICROGREENS TO FUTURE FARMS
Welcome to the second Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Update for 2026 and to the beautiful season of Djeran marking the beginning of the rainy season.
The past few months has been a time of global and local instability, with a spike in global fuel prices once again exposing our fragile food, fuel and fertiliser supply chains. In light of this, this update is filled with stories of innovation and resilience; from ideas that can increase your local food security, to creative approaches to supporting rural wellbeing and unlikely corporate players making positive impacts in agriculture on a commercial scale.
MORE NEWS
PEOPLE OF REWILD - MATT FROM WATER CORPORATION
Matt from Water Corporation is proof that anyone’s ReWild journey can start small, and that you don’t need a big block to establish a waterwise native garden.
After receiving a gum tree through his local council, Matt was inspired to bring greenery and habitat for wildlife to his house in Eglinton. Now his garden is a paradise for people, birds, and insects, while using a lot less water.
EVENTS
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE & HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT FILM SCREENING
Join us for a journey across the fringes of WA's wheatbelt and into the heart of the southern rangelands, immersing yourself in the grit, innovation, and belief driving three unique families' unwavering commitment to landscape-scale restoration. The life returning to their land is compelling evidence of what these stewards have long known: when management decisions are centred around a better vision for the future, our ecosystems, production systems, and communities all thrive.
📆 Sunday 17 May
🕘 6:00pm - 9:00pm
📍 Windsor Cinema (98 Stirling Hwy, Nedlands)
🎟️ $20 standard, $10 concession
BANKSIA WOODLANDS WORKSHOP & TOUR
Banksia woodlands are among Western Australia’s most iconic ecosystems. Steve will introduce what defines a banksia woodland, where these communities occur today, and why their distribution has changed over time. We will explore the key threats facing banksia woodlands, including urban development, fragmentation, altered fire regimes, and invasive species. Steve will share practical insights into how everyday gardening choices like plant selection, water use, and habitat creation can contribute to the protection and recovery of banksia woodlands across the Perth region.
Receive a seedling to take home to get you started on your ReWild Journey!
📆 Thursday 14 May
🕘 10:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Creyk Park Pavilion (6 Kembla St, Kelmscott)
🎟️ $10
MORE EVENTS
COMMUNITY PLANTING DAYS - MCKANNA RESERVE
Come join us at McKanna Reserve in Parmelia this June as we plant habitat for Black Cockatoos.
📆 Sunday 7 June
🕘 9:00am - 12:00pm
📍 McKanna Gardens, Parmelia
📆 Sunday 21 June
🕘 9:00am - 12:00pm
📍 McKanna Gardens, Parmelia
RECONCILATION WEEK - COMMUNITY WALK WITH TRADITIONAL OWNER JOE COLLARD
Join us for Reconciliation Week, a time for learning, respect and connection, with an informative Community Walk led by Traditional Owner Joe Collard.
📆 Friday 29 May
🕘 2:00pm - 3:00pm
📍 Mindeerup (S Perth Esplanade, South Perth)
KEEP YOUR EYES ON OUR SOCIALS FOR MORE PLANTING EVENTS IN THE COMING MONTHS!
SUPPORT PERTH NRM
Help us safeguard Perth’s natural environment by making a donation to Perth NRM.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible
Did you know that Perth NRM are registered with Containers for Change?
Supporters can quote our scheme ID (C10428043) or add our barcode to your mobile wallet.
