Helena River Catchment Group

09/04/2026

Know a young nature lover? 🌱

Pathways to Conservation is on these school holidays — a hands-on morning exploring real careers in conservation with the Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia, Western Australia team.

📍 Perth Hills Discovery Centre
📅 14 April | ⏰ 10am–12pm
👥 Ages 14–25

A great chance to turn passion for nature into a pathway

08/04/2026

Great to see the continued momentum at Creery Wetlands 🙌🌿

Another solid morning tackling fleabane — focusing on those harder-to-reach areas away from the main tracks. Getting on top of seedheads before the wet season is critical, and efforts like this are what really slow the spread of invasive species.

Huge shoutout to the dedicated volunteers, the John Tonkin Bushrangers (coordinated by Barbara), and everyone involved in making a tangible difference on the ground 👏

These are the kinds of consistent actions that strengthen our wildlife corridors and protect the health of our bushland.

Looking forward to seeing what’s achieved at the next working bee in May

Men of the Trees Peel Branch

06/04/2026

Philip Lane – HRCG Chairperson recently got a taste of bush survival with Mike Cook in Gidgegannup. And it wasn’t just a walk in the park…

Out on the riverbed, the lesson started under a big old gum tree—complete with a termite mound freshly dug up by an echidna. Two food sources in one spot if you know what you’re looking for.

From there, it was all about survival decisions. Collecting water from vegetation using a simple plastic bag? Possible—but slow. When you’re thirsty and tired, do you sit and wait… or push on to find better sources like puddles in the river channel? That’s where preparation matters—because poor decisions come easy when you’re dehydrated.

Mike’s workshops are all about learning those decisions before you need them.

The group was a real mix—from barefoot adventurers to families, seasoned bushies to first-timers. One barefoot participant quickly learned that tough feet don’t stop ticks… and paid the price.

Plenty of practical tips were shared too, especially around water filtration—from high-end portable filters to simple methods like using a buff to strain debris before boiling.

Best part? These sessions run on a “pay what you think it’s worth” basis for a 1–4 hour hands-on experience.

03/04/2026

🌿 The ‘Iconic’ Project 🌿

Born right here at the Scott St Shopping Precinct in 2023 — with inspiration from local favourites Sweets and Treats and Scott Street Cafe — a powerful idea took shape…

A plan to restore 1.7km of the Helena River, removing heavy w**d infestation along its banks.

Phase 1 ✔️
🚜 “Tractor Man” and crew got to work:
• De-w**ding and mulching
• Cutting timber for quenda refuges
• Ripping compacted soil ready for planting

Phase 2 ✔️
🤝 Delivered by Helena River Catchment Group & Chittering Landcare
🌱 10,000+ seedlings planted
🏢 Supported by corporate volunteers

Together, this work is rebuilding vital ground cover and low shrub habitat — bringing life back for the river’s original inhabitants, long impacted by development, feral predators, and invasive w**ds.

A local idea, sparked over coffee and community, now making a real difference. 🌱

Scott Street Cafe
Chittering Landcare Centre

02/04/2026

🌿 HRCG in action – come see what we’re all about! 🌿

The Helena River Catchment Group is proud to be part of the Helena River (Mandoon Bilya) Environmental Showcase — and we’d love to see you there.

This is your chance to connect with the river we work hard to protect 💧

👉 Learn about local w**ds, native vegetation & fire management
👉 Discover what’s living in our waterways
👉 Explore biodiversity and habitat in the Helena Valley
👉 Hear about Indigenous connection to Country

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plus: hands-on kids activities with Millennium Kids

📅 Saturday 18 April | 10am–1pm
📍 Riverside Park, Helena Valley
💵 $5 per family (bookings essential)

Come meet the team, have a chat, and see how you can get involved in protecting the Helena River 🌱

Chittering Landcare Centre
Shire of Mundaring
Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

31/03/2026

Big wins for our waterways 🌿💧

The latest Community Rivercare grants have just been announced — with over $655,000 going to grassroots groups working to restore the Swan Canning Catchment.

At HRCG, we’re especially excited to see strong investment flowing into the Helena River (Mandoon Bilya) and surrounding catchments.

👏 A huge congratulations to:
• Trillion Trees
• Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association
• Jane Brook Catchment Group

These groups have secured important funding to support restoration works across the Helena River and Jane Brook — from w**d control to revegetation and improving degraded sections of waterways.

Across the board, these grants will support on-ground action like revegetation, erosion control, and wetland restoration — driven by the passion and knowledge of local community groups.

The Helena River and its tributaries will be among the big winners in all of this 💚

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Recipients-of-latest-Community-Rivercare-grants-announced-20260331

Trillion Trees Australia
Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association
Jane Brook Catchment Group Inc.

The Cook Government has awarded an array of community volunteer groups more than $655,000 in funding to assist with the improvement of waterway health in the Swan Canning Catchment.

31/03/2026

Big impact from small steps 👣
A huge shoutout to Wooroloo Prison crew for this fantastic work in the reserve — improving safety for walkers while building skills, confidence and real opportunities for the S95 boys.
This is what community collaboration looks like

One step at a time. Great work by Wooroloo Prison, thank you! Apart from keeping walkers and Friends members going in and out of the reserve safe, the steps are building the S95 boys’s self-esteem and valuable skills for the future.

30/03/2026

🌿 WANTED: Coordinator for Friends of Glen Park Reserve (Darlington) 🌿

Our current coordinator is moving on, and we’re looking for someone in the Darlington community to step into this important role and help continue the great work at Glen Park Reserve.

For around 14 years, the group has been caring for this special place—restoring habitat along Nyaania Creek, undertaking major w**d control, and planting hundreds of seedlings that are now growing into the future canopy for local wildlife.

There’s a strong foundation in place, plus support from Helena River Catchment Group and the Shire’s Community Landcare Officer. You’ll also be part of a passionate, hands-on group ready to support you.

This isn’t a difficult role—but it’s an important one. Without a coordinator, there’s a real risk the group could fold, and that would be a huge loss for the community and the environment.

🌱 If you care about your local bushland and want to make a difference, this could be for you.

📞 Call 0400 217 293 (Leonie) to find out more or express your interest.

Shire of Mundaring

29/03/2026

HRCG Chair Philip Lane heading north 🌿

Our Chairperson, Philip Lane, has been approached to take on a Parks and Wildlife Camp Host role in the stunning Gascoyne region — a fantastic opportunity supporting conservation and visitor experiences in some of WA’s most unique landscapes.

A big thank you to Alicja Szczepanska from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for reaching out and helping connect passionate volunteers with these important roles.

We love seeing our HRCG community continuing to make a difference beyond the Helena catchment

Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

28/03/2026

🌿 Great opportunity for young nature lovers!

Free Nature Detectives workshops coming up at Elsie Austin Reserve — perfect for kids to explore, learn, and get hands-on in the bush.

Spots are limited, so get in quick! 👇

Jane Brook Catchment Group Inc.

Please promote this far and wide. The action will be in Lion Mill Creek.