Enviro boost in the Great Southern

Sustainability projects in the Great Southern including Green Skills Balijup Eco Sanctuary and William Bay National Parks Association (WBNPA) have received a significant boost thanks to Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program.

Southern Ports Regional Manager – Albany Paul McSweeney said the Community Investment Program continued to be popular in the Great Southern and he’s proud to back local organisations, especially in the sustainability space.

“Supporting both our community and our environment is incredibly important to us and it’s fantastic when we can combine the two through our Community Investment Program,” said Mr McSweeney.

“We know in our community that there are many volunteers and grass roots organisations achieving wonderful outcomes just like William Bay National Parks Association with their revegetation program and Green Skills at the Balijup Eco Sanctuary.”

William Bay National Parks Association

William Bay National Parks Association was provided with $4,000 to purchase materials and equipment to support the planting of 1,500 plants over this winter period.

WBNPA President John Banks said that each year, members volunteer to propagate native plants from seeds and cuttings collected from within William Bay National Park.

“During winter we plant these in locations throughout the park which Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions determines need to be revegetated,” said Mr. Banks.

“We’ve used the grant to purchase tree guards and stakes to increase the speed of planting and promote higher survival rates.”

Mr Banks said it was terrific that Southern Ports supports community organisations through this program.

“We’d encourage any other organisation which undertakes a community service to take advantage of Southern Ports’ generous Community Investment Program,” said Mr Banks.

Southern Ports Regional Manager – Albany Paul McSweeney joined members of the William Bay National Parks Association to check on their revegetation work near Greens Pool.

Green Skills’ Balijup Community Environmental Engagement Program

A host of eco learning activities will be run by Green Skills at the Balijup Eco Sanctuary during its upcoming community education program thanks to Southern Ports’ Community Investment Program.

Green Skills Senior Project Manager Basil Schur said activities hosted at Balijup highlight different aspects of landcare and leave participants inspired to do more.

“Funding from Southern Ports will allow Green Skills to deliver our tailored educations programs more effectively and help participants get even more out of their visits to Balijup,” said Mr Schur.

The 2024-25 Balijup Community Environmental Education Engagement Program will commence in August and run through to March.

Community Investment Program

Over the past year 41 Great Southern events and projects have been supported as part of the $300,000 investment program that operates across the three Southern Ports’ regions.

Applications for the next round of the funding close Friday 5 July 2024.

To apply or learn more about our Community Investment Program, click here.