Western Ringtail Possum

Crossing - Peel-Harvey Catchment

Council Grant

Bouvard Coastcare Group in partnership with the City of Mandurah and Friends of Warrangup Springs have successfully applied for funding to the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council for “Restoring Ecological Linkages for the Ngwayir (Western Ringtail Possum)”. The project aims to address habitat loss and fragmentation which has been identified as one of the main threatening processes impacting the Critically Endangered Western Ringtail Possum. Habitat along linkage corridors will be restored through re vegetation and important habitat patches will be reconnected through the construction of a fauna rope bridge over Jinatong Loop. The species conservation status of the Western Ringtail Possum was recently upgraded from Endangered to Critically Endangered and it is estimated that the species may go extinct within 20 years if nothing is done to address threatening processes. A State Recovery Plan is in operation (2014) and a National Recovery Plan is before the Commonwealth for approval. In addition to addressing habitat loss and fragmentation, the Recovery Plan aims to raise awareness of the status of western ringtail possums and gain support and behaviour change to improve mitigation of threatening processes. The City of Mandurah has populations of Western Ringtail Possum from Dawesville through to Herron and Yalgorup National Park and is therefore able to make a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts. The project includes elements of community engagement and education about the plight of the possum, along with several opportunities for the community to be directly involved in conservation and research actions such as building artificial dreys and spotlighting to help establish population numbers . The total project budget is for $64,259 of which the PHCC will provide a substantial contribution of $27,681 along with CoM who will provide $28,788.

Melros Beach Picnic Bench -

Alcoa Grant

Thanks to a grant from Alcoa and installation of a concrete base by the City of Mandurah Council ( who very kindly, covered the cost of the slab), Bouvard Coast Care Group installed a new picnic bench on the coastal path by Melros Beach. Sited to make the most of the spectacular views from the path and designed for easy wheelchair access, the bench, made in Perth by council approved street outfitters Exteria, will provide a great picnic spot for all the family. If you’d like to sponsor the next new bench or would like to take part in Bouvard Coast Care activities, contact us and we’ll keep you up to date.

Seed Bombing

Bouvard Coast Care Group and Alcoa Staff organised an exciting seed bombing project which is the first of its kind in Western Australia. Seed bombing is a fun way of revegetating and looking after our dune systems. Essentially we mix together native bush seeds, clay and soils to create a seed bomb. Then, we have some fun launching these bombs into the dune system. The process while being fun, also has some awesome science behind it, and has less human impact on the dune system than tradition planting. The day started with a 15 – 20 minute seed bomb making session, followed by a short 10min walk to a degraded dune system to test everyones strength launching the seed bombs. After the physical activity a sausage sizzle was provided back at the Melrose Reserve park.

The Lookout Seat - Alcoa Grant

(2021)

Thanks to a grant from Alcoa and the expert assistance of our members, Bouvard Coast Care Group installed a new picnic bench on the lookout next to the coastal path by Melros Beach. Sited to make the most of the spectacular views from the lookout, the bench, made in Perth by council approved street outfitters Exteria, will provide a great picnic spot for all the family. If you’d like to sponsor the next new bench or would like to take part in Bouvard Coast Care activities, contact us and we’ll keep you up to date.