On Thank a Volunteer Day, 27 volunteers from Perth’s coastal community groups joined a Coastal Management Tour, conducted by Perth NRM, of Rottnest Island / Wadjemup. The trip was a fun way to thank volunteers for their hours of dedication and the hard work they put into preserving our coastal landscapes.

Upon arrival to the island, Perth NRM greeted volunteers with an acknowledgment of country and reflected upon the history of Wadjemup.

Matt Coyle from the Rottnest Island Authority, led the group on a conservation tour around the island. This included a visit to coastal restoration sites at Nancy Cove and Marjorie Bay to see first-hand the efforts put into preserving and rehabilitating the island.

At the West End the group explored trails to the Cathedral Rocks lookout, where a colony of long-nosed fur seals delighted volunteers.  Confident king skinks were also in abundance, sunning themselves on the boardwalk at Cape Vlamingh. The 120m raised boardwalk carefully weaves its way around the cape which is an important breeding ground and nesting site for wedge-tailed shearwaters.

Experienced coastal volunteers were quick to identify invasive weeds (iceplant, Mesembryanthemum spp and sea spinach, Tetragonia decumbens) and shared their knowledge how these weeds could be managed for conservation.

A special stop at the Rottnest Island Nursery allowed the group to see behind-the-scenes where all the island’s plants are grown. Propagated from locally collected seeds and plant material, their work contributes to the conservation of the island’s unique ecosystem. 

This event was funded by the Department of Communities, Coastwest and the State NRM program.

Story by Perth NRM
Photos supplied by Perth NRM