Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands Ramsar Project

Coastal Environments Program

Our Coastal Team

Projects

Wetland birds at the Vasse EstuaryPhoto: Pawel Kilen

Fencing to prevent grazing from rabbits and kangaroos in rehabilitation areasPhoto: Pawel Kilen

International volunteers with the CVA team leader, 2010 planting seasonPhoto: Chris Fleay

Arum Lily - a toxic weed common in the wetlandsPhoto: Pawel Kilen

Wetland birds at the Vasse EstuaryPhoto: Pawel Kilen

Bill Webb, Wardandi Tradtional Owner at the Vasse EstuaryPhoto: Emily Lewis

Wetland birds at the Vasse EstuaryPhoto: Pawel Kilen

This project takes a landscape-scale approach to protecting the Ramsar listed Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands system, located in the temperate, south west of Western Australia, within the Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic region immediately east and north east of Busselton, extending some 14 km. The Vasse-Wonnerup wetland system is also part of an extensive, shallow, nutrient-enriched system known as the Busselton Wetlands. Wetlands listed under the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands are identified as being representative, rare or unique wetlands or wetlands that are important for conserving biodiversity.

As part of the Vasse-Wonnerup Ramsar project, we are strategically implementing key recommendations and management actions from the “Ecological Character Description Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands Ramsar Site South-west Western Australia” (WRM, 2007). Activities being undertaken include invasive pest and weed control, as well as riparian and wetland management. So far the project has undertaken 313 ha of rabbit and fox control within the Ramsar boundary in the Tuart Forest National Park, 21.7 ha of weed control in and around a 6.7 ha revegetation site along the Vasse Estuary.

A further 6 ha of weed control and revegetation is planned for 2011 with an additional 35 ha of weed control planned as a buffer to the existing sites within the Tuart Forest National Park.

In 2010, international and regional volunteers were engaged in the project in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia to plant seedlings. Volunteers also participated in cultural mentoring with local Aboriginal Traditional Owners due to significant Aboriginal sites being located in the area. Local volunteers will also be engaged in 2011 in partnership with local schools such as Busselton Senior High School and McKillop College.

We are working in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation to implement this project.