SPOTLIGHT ON GASCOYNE

The North West Cape is closely associated with the Ningaloo World Heritage Area, a location of rare, great beauty and recognised as an international biodiversity hotspot. 

It’s a premium tourist destination visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year, and both Ningaloo Reef and the Cape Range National Park are considered natural treasures by many.

However, the Cape region is also under pressure from tourism and industrial development and maintaining protection of this special place for future generations requires constant effort by concerned groups and individuals. One such group is the Cape Conservation Group (CCG),  based in Exmouth, which is made up of ordinary people who love the North West Cape.

CCG is a volunteer, not-for-profit organisation that is involved in protecting the terrestrial and marine environment of the North West Cape. Active for 25 years now, the group has been instrumental in some major projects and campaigns, like Save Ningaloo, Halt the Salt and Protect Ningaloo. 

WACMN’s network manager Ailbhe talked to CCG chairperson Denise Fitch recently who said key issues for the area at present are environmental impacts caused by tourist and visitor behaviour, such as damage caused by 4WDs.

“An issue for us can be engaging on-ground volunteer support on a regular, on-going basis,” Denise explains.

It is difficult to recruit volunteers due to a low residential population and great distances between towns. Coral Bay and Exmouth, for example, are 1.5 hours drive apart.

“In terms of resources, we are relatively well-funded, but people are the biggest resource currently in short supply.”

CCG are always looking for ‘like-minded people’ to help them keep the natural treasures of Ningaloo Reef and the Cape Range National Park safe. 

If you’re a Gascoyne local, why not sign up today or if you’re planning on visiting the beautiful Ningaloo Coast sometime soon, why not make a contribution by rolling up your sleeves and helping out with a planting initiative, a beach clean or joining the campaign to Save Exmouth Gulf?

Story supplied by Ailbhe Travers, WACMN. Feature image supplied by Cape Conservation Group.