Welcome to the Bunuru edition of Perth NRM's newsletter for 2026!
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Perth NRM e-News
March 2026
Kaya! Welcome to Perth NRM e-News
Welcome to our first newsletter for 2026 in the Noongar season of Bunuru.
Known as the Season of Adolescence, Bunuru is the hottest time of the year, with very little rain and long days. Sea breezes in the afternoon provide the only reprieve from the heat.
Read on below for exciting updates to our projects, and upcoming events!
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CEO, DALE BROWN
Get to know Dale Brown, Perth NRM’s New CEO
Meet Dale Brown, our new CEO. Dale grew up on WA farms, loves the country, and is passionate about innovation in the form of finding partnerships and solutions that help people and nature thrive.
Perth NRM is excited to officially introduce Dale Brown as our new Chief Executive Officer, bringing fresh energy, curiosity and a strong focus on innovation, partnerships and practical outcomes for people and nature.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY AND WETLANDS CONFERENCE
Photo provided by: The Wetlands Centre Cockburn
Two events, one message: wetlands are living systems, and caring for them starts with Country.
World Wetlands Day rarely attracts headlines, which is exactly why it matters when a local organisation makes the day feel less like a symbolic date and more like a practical invitation to pay attention, learn properly, and build the relationships that keep wetland conservation alive and breathing year-round.
For 2026, the theme was: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”, which appropriately recognises that wetlands are not empty spaces awaiting development, but cultural landscapes shaped and sustained through generations of lived knowledge. These landscapes, where hydrology connects to ceremony, seasonal patterns to food sovereignty, and species behaviour to cultural lore, are integral to the health of our communities.
SWAN ALCOA LANDCARE PROGRAM
Congratulations to the 2026 SALP Grant Recipients!
On Tuesday 17 February, 2026, the SALP program announced the recipients of the 2026 round of funding, providing over $270,000 to 21 community groups across the Perth region, for projects improving bushland and waterways.
Since its inception in 1998, SALP has provided more than $11 million in funding to community groups, who in turn have delivered more than 1,776 restoration projects, engaging thousands of volunteers and contributing over 260,000 work hours. This includes weeding on over 8,299 hectares, planting more than 3.2 million plants to revegetate over 3,219 hectares, feral animal control, and the creation of wildlife habitat.
2027 SALP Applications Open!
Community groups and organisations are invited to apply for the 2027 round of the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP) grants, to assist community-led programs to improve, protect and enhance our environmental assets.
Applications are to be submitted electronically through the online application form by 6pm Thursday 30th April 2026.
SAF FEBRUARY & MARCH 2026 UPDATE
Welcome to the first Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator Update for 2026!
It's been a big start to the year in the Perth NRM office, notably Tibby Tuckett moving into the RegenWA Program Manager role, and myself (Tam Kempton) stepping into her boots in the SAF role. I bring diverse life and career experience in farming, environmental management and community engagement in Perth and regional W.A, and I’m excited to work alongside local land managers and communities across our region to support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects. A big thank you to Tibby for her wonderful work to date and for her ongoing support as I settle in.
This edition is packed with funding opportunities, community events and agriculture news and updates from across Australia and beyond.
Happy reading!
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Australian grain growers’ perceptions of the definition of Regenerative Agriculture
Dr Jacqueline Williams from Southern Cross University presented at the 2026 GRDC Grains Research Updates in Perth on 16th February 2026. Dr Williams paper was entitled “Australian grain growers’ perceptions of the definition of regeneration agriculture, changing agricultural practices and indicators to support farm practices”.
This presentation was an interim update of the larger national project, which Perth NRM is the project partner contracted to deliver the Western Australian component.
MORE NEWS
ReWild Your Patch
ReWild Your Patch is a service for private landholders who want to tailored advice on reconnecting their property with nature.
Your garden can be filled with wildflowers and a haven for wildlife!
With a little guidance, your property can become a thriving patch of habitat, home to native birds, bees, frogs, and wildflowers, while remaining waterwise, low-maintenance, and uniquely West Australian.
Erosion Management Fundamentals with Perth NRM and Mulloon Institute
During this experiential workshop in Gidgegannup with Mulloon Institute, participants from the area had the opportunity to decipher the processes that drive erosion and get acquainted with the surprisingly simple interventions that can halt it in its tracks.
Release of the Restoration Impact Framework - A Collective Impact Approach Report & Case Study
This report details the background, methodology and results of the Restoration Impact Framework - Collective Impact Approach project, aimed at creating a cohesive plan to natural capital restoration on farmland in Western Australia’s South West region.
EVENTS
ABORIGINAL ART ON CANVAS: A COASTAL RESILIENCE WORKSHOP
This hands-on workshop invites community members to come together to contribute to a large shared canvas while learning about Aboriginal art techniques and symbols from Aboriginal facilitator, Beverly. The artwork will reflect the coastal and marine environment, exploring themes of coastal resilience, dune protection and the role of people in caring for our shores.
📆 Saturday 7 March
🕘 1:00pm - 4:00pm
📍 Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club
🎟️ $15
REWILD FOR CARNABY'S COCKATOOS AT KAARAKIN MARCH
Join us to learn how you can ReWild your garden to provide essential food for the Endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoo. Any garden can provide food for wildlife. Learn how every plant matters and just one plant can make a difference. Learn about the amazing work Kaarakin do and meet the cheeky resident cockatoos up close in the interactive aviary.
📆 Sunday 29 March
🕘 10:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:00pm
📍 Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre
🎟️ $20
MORE EVENTS
WATER RETENTION FOR LANDSCAPE RESILIENCE
This workshop is designed for small landholders eager to learn how to retain water, keep blocks greener for longer, increase fire resistance, withstand hot and dry periods, and enhance productivity and soil health through landscape rehydration principles.
📆 Saturday 28 March
🕕 9:00am - 2:00pm
📍 Gooseberry Hill
🎟️ $50 (includes morning tea and lunch)
FEED365 DEMONSTRATION: FORAGE TRITICALE FILLING THE FEED GAP
Join us for a practical and informative Farmer Field Day at Carrah Farm summarising a local trail of the grazing crop DYNA-TRIT 1143 forage triticale.
📆 Wednesday 25 March
🕕 9:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Carrah Farms (1173 Calingiri Rd, Old Plains)
🎟️ FREE (includes morning tea)
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.
