BirdLife Bunbury is a local community group dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of local native bird life and protection of their natural habitats. The group meet monthly for birdwatching excursions, of which two or three per year focus around the Leschenault Estuary.

Given that water quality and overall health of the estuarine system impacts bird life on the estuary, the group is dedicated to supporting conservation programs where possible, in providing volunteers, observational data and contributing their expertise to community education events. BirdLife Bunbury regularly partners with DBCA to conduct excursions at Mangrove cove for school environmental education activities.

Email: birdlifebunbury@gmail.com

The City of Bunbury recognises the ecological, cultural, and social importance of the Leschenault Estuary, identifying key threats such as climate change and declining water quality. To address these issues, the City has established a Natural Environment and Sustainability team, who currently implement several initiatives to protect and enhance natural areas within the Bunbury Local Government Area.

Email: info@bunbury.wa.gov.au

DBCA works with the community to ensure that Western Australia’s environment is valued, protected and conserved, for its intrinsic value, and for the appreciation and benefit of present and future generations.

DBCA currently manages some reserves around the Leschenault Estuary. DBCA has a coordination role for the Kalgulup Regional Park and is responsible for managing the areas of the regional park that are vested in the Conservation and Parks Commission.  The department undertakes a range of activities around the estuary including seabird nesting management, reserve and conservation park management, responding to marine mammal incidents and wildlife rescue,  management of the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park (including Belvidere Campground), wildlife licensing and regulation of flora and fauna.

Parks and Wildlife Service, DBCA Bunbury Regional Office

Email: Bunbury@dbca.wa.gov.au

Phone 9725 4300

Broad legislative responsibilities related to water resource management and environmental protection in WA, aiming to support the community, economy, and environment through various functions.

Initiated the Healthy Estuaries WA Program, which enhances scientific understanding to inform management decisions, and engages stakeholders and landholders to restore stream function and reduce nutrient input in waterways.

For more information on Healthy Estuaries WA visit https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/estuary/leschenault-estuary/

Email: estuary@dwer.wa.gov.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthyestuarieswa

The DDC is a not-for-profit marine conservation, education and research facility that utilises eco-tourism through its Interpretive Centre and boat tours to encourage community engagement in marine conservation.

The DDC focuses on observing and monitoring our local bottle-nose dolphin population, marine turtle rehabilitation and other conservation activities.

The Leschenault Estuary provides habitat and food for various fauna and is a key hunting area for the local dolphin population. The DDC recognises loss of habitat and increasing development (residential, industry, agriculture) as key threats to water quality of the estuary.

Currently the DDC are researching and monitoring local dolphin populations with focus areas including abundance, habits, and human related threats. The DDC assist with conservation of the Leschenault Estuary through their extensive research activities and in collaboration with the Leschenault Estuary Collaborative Management Group.

 Bookings, Info and Stranded/ Distressed Animals call (08) 9791 3088, or email info@dolphindiscovery.com.au

Conservation Manager - Laura van Oyen, email conservation@dolphindiscovery.com.au

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is Australia’s top public university for teaching quality and conducts world class research. The Leschenault Estuary is an important environmental asset in close proximity to the regional ECU campus, appreciated for its natural, social and cultural values. ECU identifies the estuary as an important ecosystem requiring sound management to allow for human use while still protecting its natural and cultural values. ECU recognises a number of significant threats impacting the health of the Leschenault Estuary including climate change; human disturbances; loss of habitat and biodiversity and nutrient enrichment. The university supports several research programs in environmental science and management such as shorebird ecology, seagrass and climate change studies and pollution assessments. The university also coordinates work placements for undergraduate students in environmental science, primary and secondary school engagement programs and a Children’s University.

ECU is open to community collaboration on engagement, teaching and research activities linked to the Leschenault estuary.

For staff contact details from the School of Science: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/science/overview
Professor Kathryn McMahon, Associate Dean of Research, School of Science: k.mcmahon@ecu.edu.au

Green Teach Southwest Inc is a community group developed to inspire community to protect south-west ecosystems through environmental education.

Green Teach conduct activities for children and adults to learn about the web of life in and around the estuary, utilising specimens from the estuary at school incursions and excursions, and at community events. Their efforts aim to educate community on threats to the estuary, such as eutrophication due to pollution from human impacts, and encourage its conservation and protection.

Green Teach regularly collaborate with DBCA’s Nearer to Nature Program, the Leschenault Catchment Council, Dolphin Discovery Centre and the Friends of Big Swamp in delivering their environmental programs.

Email: greenteachsw@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenTeachSW

An independent, community based, not-for-profit organisation, committed to the long-term environmental protection and enhancement of the Leschenault Catchment. They deliver on-ground environmental projects, inspiring community action through engaging workshops and volunteer opportunities.

Manea Senior College is committed to preparing senior students for life beyond school and providing opportunities to engage in community and industry experiences. The school intrinsically values the health and sustainability of the Leschenault Estuary and recognises the threats of human activities impacting its overall health.

Students currently monitor blue swimmer crab populations in the estuary in partnership with DPIRD, and are developing partnerships with DWER and OzFish to monitor seagrass. The college constantly seeks opportunities to engage students in meaningful learning opportunities that encourage them to value and protect their local environment.

Lynette Hillier - lynette.hillier@education.wa.edu.au

Michele Watson - michele.watson@education.wa.edu.au

OzFish Unlimited is proud to work on Noongar Booja, promoting active involvement of the recreational fishing community by sharing knowledge and supporting collaboration to improve recreational fishing and support biodiversity through habitat management.

The Leschenault Estuary is important habitat for crabs and other recreational fishing species, including seagrass meadows. OzFish recognises the threats to water quality in the estuary due to excess nutrients from agriculture and residential areas which alongside marine heatwaves and climatic events, can cause significant seagrass loss and increases in the growth of macroalgae. Currently OzFish are undertaking an exciting project ‘Seagrass for Swimmers’ restoring seagrass in the estuary. The group is also involved in a project resnagging and installing fish hotels to enhance river function, a feral goldfish eradication project, and underwater clean ups.

Steve Pursell - Program Manager stevepursell@ozfish.org.au

The Bunbury Regional Urban Greening Group (RUGG) are committed to increasing tree canopy and understorey vegetation in the area as a mitigation strategy for the impacts of climate change and to protect local biodiversity.

The Shire of Dardanup is dedicated to the protection of the local environment. The Shire supports public interest in conservation and encourages active participation in the protection of the Leschenault Estuary.

The Eaton foreshore along the Collie River is a cherished asset managed by the Shire of Dardanup. The Shire has a dedicated bush crew that maintains the Collie River frontage and Millers Creek.

Contact: 97240000 records@dardanup.wa.gov.au

The Shire of Harvey is committed to a range of management practices that protect, conserve, and rehabilitate the biodiversity of the natural environment. Through this collaboration, the Shire addresses key environmental challenges such as water quality, degrading sand dunes, and human impacts like pollution and unauthorised access. These efforts reflect the Shire’s strategic direction to safeguard the Leschenault Estuary’s ecological health, ensuring its continued calue for recreation, culture and biodiversity.

The Shire is actively involved in a variety of projects, including Art and Heritage Trails, the Ridley Place Precedent, Kalgulup Regional Park, the Eco Museum Jetty Upgrade, Residential Development, RV Overnight Stays, Landscaping and Revegetation, the Rabbit Control Program, Dual Paths, Weed Control, Access Management, the Dog Control Program, and Stormwater Management. These initiatives represent a collaborative regional effort to tackle the diverse challenges that estuaries face.

shire@harvey.wa.gov.au

08 9729 0300

The Port of Bunbury has the largest land holding of any port in Australia. Exports include alumina, wood chips, mineral sands, spodumene and silica sand; and imports include caustic soda and mineral sands. As part of their environmental responsibility, the port conducts regular bird surveys and samples water and sediment, ensuring port operations are not negatively impacting the ecological balance of the estuary.

Water Corporation is the principle provider of water, waste water and drainage services to residential, business and agricultural customers across the state. We are committed to creating a sustainable water future and being proactive in response to climate change.

We recognise our role in improving natural habitat and water quality in the catchments across the south west region. As such, Water Corporation is supportive of the Leschenault Catchment Council’s community education program and promotes sustainable and waterwise gardening practices to support estuary health. Visit the Water Corporation Website for information on waterwise garden designs and to know your watering days.

www.watercorporation.com