Wildly South West

Did you know quokkas live right here in our South West of WA, not just on Rottnest Island? And they're not alone. Wellington National Park is home to a remarkable collection of native wildlife, including the chuditch (or western quoll), western ringtail possums and quendas, many of which face ongoing threats from feral predators. 

In this episode of Wildly South West, we explore the inspiring Saving Native Species in Wellington National Park Project, a collaborative initiative by South West NRM, Leschenault Catchment Council and Leschenault Biosecurity Group. Together with local landholders, the project is helping create safer habitats for native species living beyond the boundaries of the national park.

This conversation with SWNRM’s Derani Sullivan, LCC’s Katrina Zeehandelaar-Adams and LBG’s Scott Bartholomew (also a local landholder) reveal how community participation is delivering real conservation outcomes. From wildlife cameras capturing the elusive chuditch after dark to the removal of more than 300 introduced predators, the results are both impressive and hopeful. 

Discover how 61 local landholders came together to protect biodiversity on their properties, the practical steps being taken to control introduced predators, and the encouraging signs that native wildlife is returning. 

If you're passionate about conservation, curious about the wildlife living in our own backyard, or looking for ways to make a difference on your own property, this episode is not to be missed. Listen now and be inspired by the power of community-led conservation. 

Landholder Booklet mentioned during the conversation.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.

Thank you for listening to South West NRM's podcast: Wildly South West.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page

Can we reduce bushfire risk while supporting biodiversity?

In the latest episode of Wildly South West, we explore the innovative concept of Living Firebreaks with South West NRM's Linda Metz and Murdoch University PhD candidate Nikki Maher.

Learn how native vegetation could play a role in slowing bushfires and protecting assets while delivering environmental benefits at the same time. From cutting-edge research and fire modelling to real-world trials across the South West, this fascinating conversation takes a deep scientific dive into one of our region's most complex challenges.

Listen now and discover how science, community and nature are coming together to build resilience for the future.

* Trigger warning: This episode contains some discussion about bushfire and its potential impacts on communities. If this topic could bring up difficult feelings for you, please consider skipping this episode.

For more information about the project and to access a list of the 99 plants identified as having low flammability traits through Murdoch University Research visit our website: https://southwestnrm.org.au/project/living-firebreaks/

The Living Firebreaks project is delivered in collaboration with NRM Regions Australia with the support of the Minderoo Foundation as part of an ongoing national program to improve awareness, capability and investment for nature-based solutions that can deliver disaster risk reduction and other benefits across Australia.

Thank you for listening to South West NRM's podcast: Wildly South West.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page

Have you ever wondered what "endangered" or "critically endangered" actually means?

We hear these terms all the time, but what do they really tell us? And why should any of us care?

In the latest episode of Wildly South West, South West NRM CEO Dr Manda Page shares some surprising truths about Australia's extinction crisis—and explains why threatened species aren't just about protecting wildlife. They're about protecting the ecosystems that keep all of us healthy.

You'll discover:

• Why extinction rates could be worse than we know
• What those conservation labels really mean
• How biodiversity affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the future we leave behind.
• And why even the smallest actions can make a difference.

This conversation might just change the way you see the natural world around you.

Listen now and discover why every species counts.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page

Thank you for listening to South West NRM's podcast: Wildly South West.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page

From restoring threatened species and supporting sustainable agriculture to tackling climate change and protecting some of the world's richest biodiversity. 

Natural Resource Management (NRM) plays a bigger role in our lives than most people realise.

In this latest episode, host Kristy Hitchens sits down with South West NRM CEO Dr Manda Page to unpack the history of NRMs, how they work today, and why they're vital to the future of our landscapes and communities. 

Listen now and discover the people and partnerships helping care for Country in Western Australia's South West.

Thank you for listening to South West NRM's podcast: Wildly South West.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page

Following a screening of the short film Night Calling South West NRM CEO Dr Manda Page led an expert panel discussion exploring themes covered including emerging research on the impact of rodenticides (rat poison) on wildlife and the importance of individual actions to help protect biodiversity and environmental and human health.

Featured in the discussion are:

Dr Boyd Wykes - Star of the documentary and Coordinator of Owl Friendly Margaret River.

Dr Simone Vitali - Program Manager - Emergencies, Wildlife Health Australia.

Associate Professor Robert Davis - Wildlife ecologist (Head of Edith Cowan University ECU Joondalup fauna research lab including co-ordinating studies on rodenticide impacts on wildlife)

Dr Manda Page - South West NRM CEO and former director of Threatened Species Management Queensland Government.

For more about the impacts of rodenticides on wildlife visit:

• Blog Article: Mounting threats to Australia's Birds of Prey
• Owl Friendly Margaret River Region

Thank you for listening to South West NRM's podcast: Wildly South West.

Original music is provided by Beth Chia Music.

You can find out more about us by visiting the below links:

• E-newsletter sign-up
• Friends of South West NRM website page
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Feed
• LinkedIn Page