Welcome to the Djilba edition of Perth NRM's newsletter for 2026!
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Perth NRM e-News
September 2026
Kaya! Welcome to Perth NRM e-News
Welcome to the Djilba edition of Perth NRM's newsletter!
Djilba is a transitional time of the year, the rainy days and cold nights start to lessen and we see more warm and sunny days. Flowers begin to bloom, and be careful because it's the start of the swooping season for protective birds such as koolbardi (magpies) and djidi djidi (willy wag tails).
Read on below for exciting updates to our projects!
THE FIRST SPRING: EMBRACING DJILBA
The Season of Conception
Spanning August and September, Djilba is the first spring in the Noongar calendar – a transitional period of dramatic renewal. It is a time of magnificent contrast, blending freezing, clear days with warmer rains, gentle breezes, and sudden, spectacular bursts of new growth.
The Noongar season of Djilba (August–September) is officially represented by the colour pink, which symbolises the new growth of plants and wildflowers, alongside vibrant yellows, creams, and blues.
PLANTING AT WELLS PARK, KWINANA BEACH
It Started with Dolphins
We had a perfect August morning for a community planting day on the coast. It started with dolphins! As our community planters arrived and signed in, we were greeted by four Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). We could see fins and tails just offshore as two juveniles and two mothers played and hunted right in front of us.
NOONGAR BIRDIYIA GATHERING
Gifting, Listening and Returning
Perth NRM recently came together with Noongar Elders to mark the Returning stage of our engagement process with Noongar Birdiyia, completing a journey built on the principles of gifting, listening and returning for the Building Coastal Resilience project.
Across three meaningful gatherings, we yarned about Perth’s coastal environment, the importance of water, language, culture and changes witnessed over generations.
CARNABY'S COCKATOOS
Growing Hope for Carnaby’s Cockatoos
It’s been a busy year of action and achievement for the Carnaby’s RDP Project. More than 400 community members helped plant over 10,000 seedlings across 2.75 hectares. Four young Carnaby’s Cockatoos successfully fledged, while 22 new nest boxes were installed to provide more breeding opportunities in crucial areas.
We provided vital water through a new Cockitrough and connected the community with Carnaby’s conservation; inspiring people with the simple message that everyone can plant for Carnaby’s and help create a landscape with food for their future. Together, every seedling, nest box and community action is helping build a brighter future for endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos.
URBAN REWILDING MILESTONE
Inspiring Broader Local Change
On 29 August 2026 more than 40 community volunteers came together to help ReWild the verge of East Fremantle Primary School. Local residents, families, school community members, and environmental volunteers worked side-by-side to establish the first stage of what is envisioned to be a much larger area of urban habitat along Marmion Street.
A mix of low-growing native wildflowers were planted, these were selected for their ability to provide seasonal colour and important food sources for local pollinators, while complying with verge policy guidelines.
RESTORING THE WOOROLOO BROOK
Direct Seeding Trial for Restoration
An enthusiastic group of local organisations teamed up in August to help restore a fire-affected area along the Wooroloo Brook in Gidgegannup. Using locally collected native seed, the teams established two direct-seeding trial sites as part of the ongoing restoration effort for the Wooroloo post-fire recovery project.
The collaboration brought together Perth NRM, the City of Swan Bush Crew, BoorYul-Bah-Bilya Rangers from Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association and the Susannah Wooroloo Catchment Group, with expert guidance provided by Powderbark Environmental Consulting. It was an enjoyable event where knowledge was shared against the backdrop of the Brook in flow.
INSPIRING YOUTH STEWARDSHIP FOR NOONGAR BOODJA
Bold Ideas for People and Nature
Students from John Curtin College of the Arts and The Port School came together to discover what makes our coast so special and explored how they can play a role in shaping its future. After hands-on activities to learn about Walyalup’s Cultural Heritage, they explored the coast and then spent the afternoon brainstorming what a sustainable Fremantle Port City could look like.
Inspiring Youth Stewardship for Noongar Boodja is coordinated by Perth NRM. It is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
SAF SEPTEMBER 2026 UPDATE
Djilba is Here!
Welcome to the fourth Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Update for 2026. Although Perth and surrounds have had some welcome rain, Makuru was mostly dry and sunny, and Djilba’s long-range forecast points to more dry conditions ahead. Spring is a timely reminder to capture and conserve moisture, prepare your property for warmer months, protect our most important asset — soil — and to enjoy the beautiful season of spring growth and renewal, so get out and enjoy what’s on offer including your local ag show.
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
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