Boranup locals are banding together to protect the area from arum lilies and hope to see recent control efforts in the National Park expanded to protect the area's biodiversity.
As part of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region's three-year Arum Lily Blitz, Boranup locals like Seriah Adamson and Nancy Cecares have been working together to control the introduced species on their properties.
Ms Adamson said the lilies were now down to manageable levels within the Boranup Community but conceded it would not take much for the spread to begin again.
"It's a big concern here and we couldn't afford to let the arum infestations get any worse," she said.
"We've got them down to manageable levels, but now one of the issues we face is the National Park.
"Kodak corner in particular is really bad and with the community backing onto the forest, it won't take much to start the spread again."
Ms Cecares said seeing Boranup through different seasons demonstrated the extent of arum lily infestations within the forest, which highlighted why ongoing work was important.
"Keeping invasive weeds out of National Parks and State Forests is basic good stewardship," she said.
"It will ensure healthy forests into the future and protect this precious resource."
Located about 20 kilometres south of Margaret River, Boranup is a unique part of the world boasting towering karri trees, vibrant wildflowers, orchids, birdlife and more.
However, in recent years arum lilies - a toxic species introduced from South Africa - have been taking hold.
In a bid to fight back, Nature Conservation has been working in partnership with DBCA over the last three years to control infestations at a number of sites in Boranup.
Three years of control at the Point Rd area has radically reduced the arum lily infestation across 25ha, and work has begun this year at Kodak corner and along Boranup Drive.
Project Officer Genevieve Hanran-Smith said the work at the monitoring site at Point Rd had turned out great results but there was still more to be done.
"Three years of control has significantly reduced the arum lily infestation across 25ha at this site," she said.
"It goes to show that it can be done and should continue to be done because without a coordinated and sustained approach, the diverse and unique understorey will be lost and replaced by a dense monoculture of arum lilies."
The Arum Lily Blitz is funded by the WA Government's State Natural Resource Management Program.
The Blitz is supporting and coordinating arum lily control activities across all land tenures with free herbicide, valuable resources and more.
To get involved, register at natureconservation.org.au
