Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Inc

19/06/2026

This week we were joined by Millennium Kids Inc Cat and Meena to plan in detail how the Environmental Youth Forums will run on the day!

The forums are part of Wheatbelt NRM's broader work with schools and young people across the Avon River Basin, bringing together youth voice and local knowledge to help shape the future of the region. Students on the day will have the opportunity to engage with environmental and agricultural experts and work collaboratively to identify priorities and actions for a more sustainable future.

Insights and ideas generated through the forums will help contribute to the new Regional NRM plan and help inform broader community and stakeholder decision making.

Are you part of a school, community group, or homeschooler? We would love to have you at the forums! Submit an EOI before June 21st.

Locations:

Southern Cross – Tues 18 Aug 2026

Merredin – Thurs 20 Aug 2026

Northam – Tues 25 Aug 2026

Lake Grace – Thurs 27 Aug 2026

Submit an EOI here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026YouthForumEOI

Sabine Winton MLA
Matt Swinbourn MLC
Stephen Dawson MLC
Don Punch MLA
Gondwana Link
AAEE WA
Commissioner for Children and Young People WA

16/06/2026

Ground-truthing Malleefowl mounds in the Wheatbelt 🐾

LiDAR surveys were conducted by Wheatbelt NRM, mapping the landscape in high detail and identifying potential Malleefowl mound sites from the air.

On the ground, the National Malleefowl Recovery Group alongside five Noongar Boodja Rangers, carried out ground-truthing near Burracoppin. This involves visiting each LiDAR-identified point in the field to confirm whether it is a Malleefowl mound or not.

The results were positive, with 7 out of 8 identified points confirmed as Malleefowl mounds.

Learn more about our Noongar Boodja Rangers here:
https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/projects/noongar-boodja-ranger-team

15/06/2026

Working Together for Chuditch - Wildlife Conservation Workshop 🌿

Do you have an interest in wildlife conservation and protecting native species of the WA Wheatbelt? Join Wheatbelt NRM for a free, hands-on conservation workshop to learn more about the Chuditch and other native Wheatbelt wildlife.

We're also pleased to have Numbats with the Boyagin Brigade joining us on the day as a special guest.

About the event:

- Prizes available to win on the day!
- Learn more about Chuditch & other native species with Wheatbelt NRM staff and the Boyagin Brigade
- Hands-on experience installing artificial Chuditch dens
- Light refreshments provided

Location: near Boyagin Nature Reserve, off York-Williams Rd
Exact location provided following registration.

Date: Tuesday 23rd June
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Register now - places are limited!

Contact: Aanshi Bathija
[email protected]
0491 204 117

This is a great opportunity to get hands-on and help make a real difference for local wildlife in the Wheatbelt.

This project funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Wheatbelt NRM, a member of the Regional Delivery Partners panel.

12/06/2026

Don't miss out on the Environmental Youth Forums - EOIs are closing tomorrow! Submit one now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026YouthForumEOI

EOIs are still open for the Environmental Youth Forums in August this year! Schools don't miss the opportunity for your students to participate in environmental impact in the Wheatbelt.

Submit your expression of interest before June 13th: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/events/environmental-youth-forums

Hosted by Wheatbelt NRM in partnership with Millennium Kids Inc, these forums will give young people the chance to contribute their ideas on climate, biodiversity, water, sustainable agriculture and the future of the Avon River Basin. Student input will help inform the Regional NRM Plan review.

Students will also build confidence in communication, critical thinking and leadership while connecting with like-minded peers.

Locations:

Southern Cross – Tues 18 Aug 2026

Merredin – Thurs 20 Aug 2026

Northam – Tues 25 2026

Lake Grace – Thurs 27 2026

12/06/2026

Nature Detectives Planting Day 🌱

Our Nature Detectives Planting Day is coming up this Sunday. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a community planting activity and create quenda habitat!

📅 Sunday, 14 June
🕤 9:30am – 12:00 noon
📍 Elsie Austin Reserve Mount Helena, (meet at the playground area, Cnr Chidlow St and Austin Cl)
🚗Suggested parking is street parking on Austin Cl.

Tickets are still available 🎟️ https://buff.ly/c7pvbw9
Bring your family or friends along, all ages welcome!

This event is in partnership with City of Swan and Millennium Kids Inc

11/06/2026

Sheep producers in the WA Wheatbelt, don't miss your chance to be part of the Green Sheep Project.

Help shape the future of climate-smart, resilient farming and access practical on-farm support and tools.

Apply now: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/projects/green-sheep-project

EOIs close 15 July 2026.

09/06/2026

Parasitic Wasps are one of the most important beneficial insect groups in broadacre agriculture, acting as natural biological control agents that help suppress pest populations before they reach damaging levels. Read the slides to learn more.

Subscribe to our eNews to stay up to date on the latest news in the region: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/current-news

Image credit: “Aphid parasitoid” by Andrew Weeks, Cesar Australia, from https://cesaraustralia.com. Changes were made to the original image

08/06/2026

Last week our Aboriginal NRM team got to hang out with the crew from ECU as part of the IGNIS Project, which is a pilot program all about tracking lightning and helping communities get better prepared for bushfires.

Day one - chatting with scientists and emergency services about how lightning data can help spot fire risks faster down at the ECU Perth City campus

Day two - meeting the incoming high school citizen scientists, and sharing how our Rangers use their knowledge of Country to assist the project at the ECU Joondalup campus.

Projects like IGNIS highlight the important role Wheatbelt NRM can play in connecting world-class science with local knowledge. Much of the Wheatbelt is privately owned, and our strong relationships with landholders help researchers access sites, install equipment, and maintain long-term monitoring networks. Combined with the practical experience of our Ranger team and the scientific expertise within Wheatbelt NRM, we're uniquely placed to help ensure projects like this succeed and deliver benefits for communities across the region.

Cowan University (ECU)

To learn more about the IGNIS project, visit https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/engineering/ignis-mission

06/06/2026

EOIs are still open for the Environmental Youth Forums in August this year! Schools don't miss the opportunity for your students to participate in environmental impact in the Wheatbelt.

Submit your expression of interest before June 13th: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/events/environmental-youth-forums

Hosted by Wheatbelt NRM in partnership with Millennium Kids Inc, these forums will give young people the chance to contribute their ideas on climate, biodiversity, water, sustainable agriculture and the future of the Avon River Basin. Student input will help inform the Regional NRM Plan review.

Students will also build confidence in communication, critical thinking and leadership while connecting with like-minded peers.

Locations:

Southern Cross – Tues 18 Aug 2026

Merredin – Thurs 20 Aug 2026

Northam – Tues 25 2026

Lake Grace – Thurs 27 2026

05/06/2026

Thank you to our community resource centres!

The community survey wrapped up on the 31st May, the information given informing the next Regional NRM Plan.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the incredible Community Resource Centres (CRCs) across the Wheatbelt - your support in promoting the survey and helping residents have their voices heard has made a remarkable difference. Thanks to your involvement, survey returns increased by 67%, ensuring a much stronger representation from the community.

The feedback received will help identify:

- Key environmental priorities across the region
- Community concerns and challenges impacting the landscape
- Areas where investment and support can deliver the greatest benefit

We would like to also thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey, your voice will help shape the future direction of natural resource management.

Prize winners will be announced shortly!