Illegally cleared native vegetation is being restored along the Wilson Inlet foreshore.

Locally-sourced plant material from the inlet foreshore is being used to restore the natural vegetation along the water’s edge which has been cleared without permits.

The Shire of Denmark is collaborating with Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee in the project.

Shire sustainability officer Yvette Caruso said the fringing vegetation of the Wilson Inlet played a critical role in the ecosystem.

While acting as a buffer to encroaching weeds, the vegetation filtered pollutants and nutrients, reduced erosion, estabilised the soil and provided habitat and wildlife corridors.

It also added to the visual amenity. Local volunteers and students from WA College of Agriculture, Denmark, and Great Southern TAFE have been getting stuck into site preparation, weed control, seed collection, propagation and planting.

More than 30 volunteers from young children to the elderly planted 7800 seedlings at a community planting day near The Cove, Weedon Hill, foreshore recently.

Yvette said this was the first stage of some revegetation projects that the Shire was facilitating along the Wilson Inlet foreshore in an effort to reestablish the illegally cleared areas.

Native vegetation clearing on Shire land is prohibited and can incur hefty fines under the Environmental Protection Act.

Community members who are keen to get involved in Wilson Inlet revegetation activities should get in touch with Yvette on 9848 0300 or enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 4 August 2022.