Thank you, Minister Dawson

Our heartfelt thanks to WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson, who has announced the final outright rejection of mining of the Helena Aurora Range and the intention to create a Helena Aurora Range national park.

We invite our members to personally thank Minister Dawson, and to look at the proposal for a national park prepared by the Wildflower Society, the Wilderness Society, and the Helena and Aurora Advocates.

Download the Helena and Aurora National Park Proposal here (3mb).

Bush Heritage says ‘thanks’

Wonderful blog from Bush Heritage thanking the Wildflower Society for conducting flora surveys at Hamelin Station and Eurardy Station. We had a lot of fun doing the work… and it is our pleasure. And how nice to receive public recognition.

‘We now have over 50 Threatened, Priority and/or endemic plant species on the list for Eurardy Reserve – amazing! Our most recent purchase in the Mid-west – Hamelin Station Reserve – is located next to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and had never been surveyed in detail for flora.’ -Vanessa Westcott, Bush Heritage Ecologist

Read the blog here: https://www.bushheritage.org.au/blog/the-wonderful-wildflower-society-of-wa

Photo courtesy Bush Heritage

Helena and Aurora Range National Park Proposal

Many groups (including the Wildflower Society) and individuals involved in the Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin) campaign have been very pro active over the last few months to show that there is strong public support for protecting the Range in its entirety. This is important to encourage and support our WA government to say no to mining the Range.

There is every indication that the WA government will make a final decision on whether to allow mining or not within the next couple of weeks (before Christmas). Otherwise the decision will not be made until later in the New Year. The decision will be made by Minister Stephen Dawson, however, he also needs to have the support of other key Ministers in Cabinet as the final decision also considers social and economic factors in addition to environmental. Cabinet meet for the last time this year this Monday on 11 December 2017.

Download the Helena and Aurora National Park Proposal here (3mb).

Holiday Greetings from the Wildflower Society

The Wildflower Society office will be officially closed from Friday 15 December 2017 and re-opening Tuesday 23 January 2018 – though some of us will be in and out over this Christmas period.

Our very best wishes to members and supporters for the Holiday Season!

 

Photo:  M Brundrett

Wildflower Society Members Update – December

The most recent monthly update from the Management Committee is now available on our website, access exclusively for Members only. Log in to the Members area and then the tab ‘Management Committee Updates.’ If you have any difficulties logging in to the system, please email our volunteer administrator at nmcl@westnet.com.au – we can reset your password, give you a simpler password, or guide you through the log-in procedure.  Link here.

Helena and Aurora Range National Park Proposal

Many groups (including the Wildflower Society) and individuals involved in the Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin) campaign have been very pro active over the last few months to show that there is strong public support for protecting the Range in its entirety. This is important to encourage and support our WA government to say no to mining the Range.

There is every indication that the WA government will make a final decision on whether to allow mining or not within the next couple of weeks (before Christmas). Otherwise the decision will not be made until later in the New Year. The decision will be made by Minister Stephen Dawson, however, he also needs to have the support of other key Ministers in Cabinet as the final decision also considers social and economic factors in addition to environmental. Cabinet meet for the last time this year this Monday on 11 December 2017.

Download the Helena and Aurora National Park Proposal here (3mb).

Wildflower Society – Members Update – October

The most recent monthly update from the Management Committee is now available on our website, access exclusively for Members only. Log in to the Members area and then the tab ‘Management Committee Updates.’ If you have any difficulties logging in to the system, please email our volunteer administrator at nmcl@westnet.com.au – we can reset your password, give you a simpler password, or guide you through the log-in procedure.  Link here.

My favourite wildflower reserves

Here is a list and brief description of bushland reserves I have either worked in or have visited recreationally.

 

1. Kings park

Kings park located near the city is a show of wildflowers from around western Australia. From the Kimberly to Albany and the inner deserts this park allows people the pleasure of seeing wildflowers from around the state. And the endangered species In those regions.

 

2. John forrest NP

John Forrest Np is a very large reserve of good quality jarrah forest located in Mundaring just on the Great Eastern Highway. Featuring several walk trails for  varying fitness levels, including A historic railway walk, a six hour trek and last but not least a scenic wildflower walk.

 

3.  Ellis brook reserve

Otherwise known as sixty foot falls, Ellis brook reserve is also located in the Perth hills. Here jarrah intersects with wandoo and salmon gum. Around the waterfall it becomes wet enough to allow native ferns to grow in the granite crevices

 

4. Wireless hill reserve

Wireless hill is a large reserve located in the middle of suburban Ardross. Featuring plenty of orchids and other wildflowers close to the very well made tracks, perfect for photo opportunities. The reserve is maintained by the very passionate Friends of Wireless Hill. So why don’t you go and help them out, enjoy wildflowers and make friends at the same time.

 

5. Lesmurdie falls

Very similar to Ellis brook reserve, with wandoo trees and featuring a waterfall. Lesmurdie falls also has a nice display of low shrub flowers on the higher ridges.

 

6. Mary street 212

Mary street 212 isn’t the actual name of the reserve in fact I don’t think it has any official name. mary street is an out of the way, not very prominent wildflower reserve located in Wanneroo . A small reserve it is actually in extremely good condition and is an excellent place for wildflower photography.

 

7. Kensington bushland

Kensington bushland located within walking distance of the West Australian Herbarium is an example of Banksia woodland on Perth’s Bassendean soils. Here you will see abundant stands of Banksia and a thick shrub layer.

 

8. Shenton park

Formerly used as a rubbish tip, Shenton park bushland  is a very nice patch of remnant bushland located a few kilometres from the coast. In addition to the untouched bush areas, extensive revegetation works have been made to rehabilitate the bushland area.

 

You should also check out the wildflower reserve lists on the wildflower society website for maps and more information.

–          Mathew Woods