The forests of the future will be propagated at this special event where the community will get together to take cuttings and propagate seedlings to help revegetate a degraded section of the Margaret River or Wooditjup Bilya at next year's Community Planting event in May.

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s Friends of Wooditjup Bilya volunteers are invited to join a masterclass in how to grow native plants thanks to the knowledge and tutelage of nursery gurus Jeremy and Jackie Ackerman. They’ve spent decades producing plants while operating the former Cowaramup Tube Nursery and more recently guiding volunteers at the Margaret River Community Nursery.

Joining them is permaculture educator Rod Hughes – who formerly ran Perth City Farm and now teaches at Fair Harvest Permaculture - for a session on caring and maintaining your tools for conservation and restoration. “It will be a real double dose of learning,” says Friends of Wooditjup Bilya coordinator Lauren Scanlon. “There’s no-one better than Jeremy and Jackie when it comes to learning the secrets of propagating native plants. “Meanwhile, Rod’s session was a great chance to learn how to sharpen your secateurs, lengthen the life of your loppers, hone your handsaw, strop your scythe and equip your toolbelt for conservation success! Volunteers are invited to bring in their own tools from home and make them sparkle like new. "Nowadays people tend to throw things out rather than fix them, so it's wonderful to consider these tools, not only have been saved from landfill but th now have a new life and will serve the catchment well for years to come."

The Friends of Wooditjup Bilya program is possible thanks to funding from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River's Environmental Management Fund. The program is designed to provide ongoing opportunities for locals to learn, connect and contribute to the Wooditjup Bilya or Margaret River; foster custodians to be caretakers of this special place; and help engage and educate locals on why the Wooditjup Bilya is worth protecting. Held on the first Thursday of the month, each event includes a different guided excursion followed by hands-on conservation work so volunteers can help make a real difference in the catchment.

Tickets are free and registrations are open now for the event from 9.30am-12.30pm on Thursday, December 5

Nature Conservation’s Friends of Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) program features a packed 12-month calendar of events to inspire and educate locals about our iconic waterway. Each monthly event, held on the first Thursday of the month from 9.30am-12.30pm, includes a different guided excursion followed by hands-on conservation work so volunteers can help make a real difference in the catchment.

This event is free, but numbers are limited, and registrations are essential. Children must be accompanied by a parent and must be over the age of eight.

riends of Wooditjup Bilya program coordinator Lauren Scanlon said Mr Trainers passion for orchids and his longing to share awareness so that they may be conserved is deeply inspiring, a talk not to be missed. "Brian is a knowledgeable orchid buff, and like many self-taught experts his excitement and delight in discovering something new is palpable. It's also infectious. Fall in love with orchids with Brian, and learn how we can all be orchid custodians, how we can all ensure our biodiverse beauties not only are protected but are enhanced and their recovery supported throughout all of country (Wadandi Boodja)".

Want to join us?

Registrations are essential, please ensure you secure a ticket. The event will be held along the Margaret River, and precise location and map will be sent to all registered participants prior to the event. Participants must have sturdy shoes, hat and water bottle. Tickets are free, and donations are most welcome. Every donation dollar goes back into restoring the Margaret River.

Please note before you book a ticket: In the spirit of mutual giving and receiving, these events are designed to both educate and to inspire a culture of stewardship for the Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River). They are also designed to get local hands together to benefit the Wooditjup Bilya. They are very popular and sell out quickly, with lengthy waitlists every month. To ensure as many people as possible can have these opportunities, please only book a ticket if you are confident that you are able to attend. Please ensure each ticket has a different name allocated to it. After the guided excursion, please be prepared to support our efforts by participating in the hands-on conservation work, volunteering your time to care for Wooditjup Bilya. Tickets are limited and there is a waiting list so please let us know if you can't make it!

For more information contact: Lauren Scanlon, Friends of Wooditjup Bilya coordinator, at lauren.scanlon@natureconservation.org.au

This program is funded by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River through the Environmental Management Fund, with thanks to RiverFresh IGA for sponsoring the event.