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RegenWA Newsletter
Welcome to the April edition of the RegenWA e-Newsletter and to the the Noongar season of Djeran - a time when the heat of Bunuru gives way to mild days, cool nights, and light southerly winds. Dew forming in the morning, flying ants, and flowering banksias and Corymbia ficifolia are signs that this cooler season has settled in.
April and May is the perfect time to enjoy in-season apples, pears, melons, olives, Jerusalem artichokes, and eggplants.
In this newsletter, you can read about Kevin Elmy's recent roadshow, learn about our new Natural Capital Accounting project, contribute to a regen ag directory, get involved in a perennial horticulture training program, and add an exciting film screening to your calendar.
Have an upcoming event? Want to share your story or find out more information? Contact us at info@regenwa.com, @regenwa on Twitter/X, @regenwa on Instagram, Regen WA on Facebook or visit our website.
REGENWA NEWS
Bringing world-class wisdom to home soil
Internationally acclaimed Canadian agronomist Kevin Elmy recently traversed WA for a highly collaborative roadshow, bringing his signature brand of interactive, practical, science-grounded communication to local landholders. Across a series of hands-on workshops hosted by RegenWA, NACC, 5 River NRM, Wheatbelt NRM, and Lower Blackwood LCDC, Elmy shared practical strategies for optimising soil function through cover cropping, diverse rotations, livestock integration and more.
From demystifying the nuances of the Soil Food Web to demonstrating accessible soil assessment techniques, he empowered growers to take practical steps towards regenerating the biology beneath their feet and unlocking the soil functionality that supports the food systems and ecosystems we depend on. Missed the tour? Treat yourself to some of Kevin’s wisdom in Lower Blackwood LCDC's recent podcast.
These events were supported by the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.
New Advancing NCA project to validate nature-based solutions for WA agriculture industry
We're excited to be kicking off our bold two-year project, Advancing Natural Capital Accounting. This project aims to validate natural capital as a driver of productivity and profitability and cultivate willingness across the agriculture industry to adopt, support, and reward nature based solutions to the common challenges facing Western Australian producers.
By revisiting farms that were assessed in Perth NRM's initial NCA project, improving existing methodologies, and developing evidence-based management plans, we aim to equip landholders with the data needed to unlock new investments, and equip the wider agricultural sector with the confidence to back them. The project will include a rollout of publicly available reports, webinars, workshops, videos, and case studies, so stay tuned to the RegenWA website for updates.
This project is funded by the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.
Customised training for WA fruit & nut growers
Soils for Life and RegenWA are taking expressions of interest from WA fruit and nut growers for an upcoming online soil health training program. Launching in June 2026 and comprising six sessions over six months, the program is designed to support growers to build soil health and climate resilience in fruit and nut production. To ensure the program meets your specific needs, we invite you to share your feedback during the design phase. Participants will receive access to consultant support plus subsidised soil and plant testing. Read more about RegenWA's involvement in the Soils for Life Orchard Resilience Program here.
The Orchard Resilience Project is led by Soils for Life, and supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
What eDNA is already revealing on-farm in Western Australia
Bridging the gap between emerging science and the paddock, RegenWA’s eDNA innovative project uses environmental DNA to reveal "invisible" biodiversity within Western Australian agricultural landscapes. By sampling soil, air, and water across Bindoon-region farms, the project has already detected vulnerable species like the oblong turtle and Western pygmy perch without causing disturbance.
The initiative aims to translate these complex datasets into practical, grower-led management strategies. Through expert analysis and field-based workshops, producers are empowered to integrate biodiversity conservation into everyday decision-making, ensuring that conservation efforts are targeted, evidence-based, and compatible with productive, resilient farming systems.
This project is made possible through the Landcare Australia Biodiversity in Action Grant, funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust.
Help us build the ultimate regenerative resource!
Finding the right goods and services for the job shouldn’t be the hardest part of going regenerative. Whether it’s getting good advice, choosing the best soil test for your needs, sourcing a specific multi-species seed mix, or navigating Natural Capital Accounting providers, we want to make those “next steps” easier.
We’re building a directory and we need your input…We invite you to nominate a local business or organisation you love, recommend a product you swear by, or to put yourself forward as a trusted provider of regenerative-aligned goods and services. These goods, services, or providers don’t need to be “regenerative” by definition, they just need to offer a product or service that makes regenerative practices easier, more effective, or more accessible. Email your top picks to carrie.taylor@perthnrm.com and get an idea of what we're looking for here.
Queensland fruit fly detected in Perth
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has launched an urgent eradication effort following the detection of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in Como and South Perth. As one of the world’s most damaging fruit pests, Qfly threatens a wide range of local produce. DPIRD officers are now inspecting properties and applying organic bait to contain the spread. If you spot a reddish-brown fly or maggots in your produce, please report it immediately via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or to padis@dpird.wa.gov.au. Be sure to support the campaign by solarising fallen fruit in black plastic bags before disposal.
Photo: Pia Scanlon, Western Australian Agricultural Authority (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2020.
REGENWA EVENTS
Webinar: Farming in a changing climate - global learnings from the field (09/04/2026)
OTHER EVENTS
Whole Farm Planning (3 day course) - Margaret River, April 13, April 14, July 13
Vitivoltaics in the Valley: Trial Results - Perth Hills, April 22
Discover our Native Bees Workshop - Dawesville, April 30
Dam Good! - Mount Barker, May 7
Smarter Grazing for Better Land - Rosa Glen, May 18
If you have upcoming events, or see an event the RegenWA community would be interested in, hit us up at info@regenwa.com, @regenwa on Twitter, @regenwa on Instagram, Regen WA on Facebook or on our website.
OPPORTUNITIES & SUPPORT
Do you know someone doing it tough? Refer to Rural West
Rural West offers a free, confidential, and mobile financial counselling service to eligible regional small businesses and primary production enterprises in WA. Their service is designed to support those navigating through challenging and turbulent financial times. For more information, visit the website.
State and Territory Landcare Awards
If you know an individual, group or organisation in your community making a difference to the environment and sustainable land or water use, nominate them for a Landcare Award. The winners of the nine national Landcare Award categories in each State or Territory will advance as finalists to the 2027 National Landcare Awards.
Agricultural fuel supply survey
To help inform the WA Government’s policy response to current fuel supply challenges, share your current fuel situation and anything you have seen in your local area regarding the supply and/or price of fuel. Thank you to all those who have already completed the survey.
RESOURCES
Keep up to date with the GGA's The Ripple Effect project for all things farm water security.
Listen to Dr. Mary Retallack speak about functional biodiversity for biocontrol in orchards on the Soils for Life podcast.
Check out the Regen10 Outcomes Framework - the first globally co-developed reference for what regenerative agriculture can and should deliver
REGEN ONLINE
RegenWA Network Membership
We ask all our members to share this newsletter with their contacts and community groups and invite growers to register (no cost) regardless of what type, size, location, interest, and knowledge level of biological farming.
A diverse community is a strong, healthy community.
RegenWA is supported by Perth NRM through funding from Lotterywest, Commonland, the Australian Government, and the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
