The planting is happening on a site of Aboriginal significance, so the team has been working closely with traditional owners and will be providing weekly Aboriginal mentoring to the volunteers throughout the planting.

This wetland rehabilitation project forms part of the SWCC’s Geographe coastal hotspot project, with the team working with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

The Vasse Wonnerup wetlands are Ramsar wetlands, which are of international significance, providing a home to a vast array of migratory birds. The aim of revegetating the wetlands will improve the birds’ habitat and have significant water quality outcomes.

Interestingly, many of these birds flock from countries where this week’s group of volunteers come from, Japan and Korea.

The site is one of Aboriginal significance, because it is located adjacent to the mythological Abba River and is also a known burial ground.

The stories of a country that the traditional owners have shared with us have opened our eyes to the importance of this area and the need for it to be treated with the utmost respect,Emily said.

The project aims to achieve sustainable outcomes both environmentally and culturally, paying homage to the site’s Aboriginal significance.

Each week a new group of volunteers will be treated to weekly Aboriginal mentoring that will engage the senses.

They will hear the sound of the didgeridoo, taste freshly-made damper, be shown how to light a fire using traditional methods and have their imagination captured by stories of the country.

The planting will be undertaken across two sites within the Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries.

Emily said, before they commenced planting, the team took measures to prepare the sites and maximise seedling survival.

It included weed control and the installation of rabbit and kangaroo-exclusion fencing,she said.

The Geographe Coastal Hotspot Program is supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country and the Government of Western Australia.

Planting commenced last week and will continue every weekday until September 17.