PROOF OF LIFE

Understanding Biodiversity to Guide Wetland Restoration in South West Australia

Date: Monday 25 May 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM AWST
Location: The Wetlands Centre Cockburn, 184 Hope Road, Bibra Lake WA 6163

Wetlands are living systems, but understanding whether they are thriving, under pressure or beginning to recover takes close observation, field knowledge and science that can be translated into practical management. Proof of Life brings together researchers from Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute and Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems for a one-day symposium focused on the biodiversity of wetlands across the South West and the science needed to underpin their management.

This symposium grows directly out of a shared interest in applied wetland science with real management relevance. Across the day, researchers will explore the species and ecological communities that help tell the story of wetland condition. The program includes experts presenting on macroinvertebrates, crayfish, plants, fish including controlling feral species, mussels, turtles and novel habitats.

Together, these sessions build a practical picture of how wetlands function, what threatens them, and what can be done to better support native biodiversity. The program also includes a session on potential interventions to improve biodiversity in anthropogenic wetlands, focused on woody debris bundles and plague minnow control, as well as a broader presentation from BoorYul-Bah-Bilya on wetlands, catchment restoration and cultural significance.

Who should attend

Environmental science and ecology students, local government environment and natural area staff, wetland managers, restoration practitioners, environmental consultants, Friends groups, conservation volunteers, citizen scientists, and anyone with a serious interest in wetland biodiversity and freshwater management. This symposium offers a rare chance to hear directly from the people doing the work.

Program

Please note: presentation sessions are designed as half-hour sessions, with approximately 20–25 minutes for each presentation followed by 5–10 minutes for questions and discussion.

Time	Session	Details
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM	Welcome and tea/coffee	Arrival, registration and opening remarks from The Wetlands Centre Cockburn.
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM	Opening overview	Associate Professor Stephen Beatty sets the scene for the day: Understanding Biodiversity to Guide Wetland Restoration in South West Australia and the role of science in supporting management.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Macroinvertebrates	Associate Professor Belinda Robson examines why macroinvertebrates matter, what they reveal about wetland health, and how they help us understand ecological change in freshwater systems.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM	Crayfish	Dr Holly Emery-Butcher explores urban wetlands, native and invasive crayfish, and what crayfish can tell us about wetland condition and biodiversity pressures.
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM	Morning tea
10:50 AM – 11:20 AM	Aquatic plants	Dr Jane Chambers considers the role of plants in wetland habitat quality, ecological function and support for aquatic biodiversity.
11:20 AM – 11:50 AM	Fish, biodiversity and controls	Tom Ryan and Cindy Palermo explore the impact of invasive fish on wetland condition, the major control program occurring across the Swan Coastal Plain, and the conditions needed to support better biodiversity outcomes.
11:50 AM – 12:20 PM	Mussels and freshwater refuge systems	Dr Alan Cottingham and Jake Daviot focus on freshwater mussels, refuge habitats and what these species can tell us about long-term wetland persistence under increasing environmental pressure.
12:20 PM – 12:50 PM	Turtles and management intervention	April Sturm presents on artificial incubation of turtle eggs as a management strategy, including new findings and implications for conservation practice.
12:50 PM – 1:30 PM	Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM	BoorYul-Bah-Bilya: wetlands, catchment restoration and cultural significance	Walter McGuire OAM & Francesca Flynn from the Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association present on the BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program and its work across the Mandoon Bilya catchment, including restoration, cultural mapping, biodiversity surveys, community reconnection and Aboriginal ranger-led work on Country.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM	Potential interventions to improve biodiversity in anthropogenic wetlands	Associate Professor Belinda Robson and Dr Ed Chester discuss woody debris bundles as a habitat intervention and the potential for plague minnow control in anthropogenic wetlands to support biodiversity.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM	Panel discussion, audience questions, closing and networking	A final shared discussion bringing together the day’s science, management, cultural perspectives and practical insights.

What to expect

A full day of applied wetland science from researchers working across biodiversity, aquatic ecology and management.
Species-focused sessions on macroinvertebrates, crayfish, plants, fish, mussels and turtles as key parts of the wetland story.
Practical management relevance, with discussion centred on habitat quality, controls, interventions and biodiversity outcomes.
An opportunity to connect researchers, practitioners, students and community members who care deeply about the future of wetlands.

Presenters

Associate Professor Stephen Beatty
Associate Professor Belinda Robson
Dr Holly Emery-Butcher
Dr Jane Chambers
Tom Ryan
Cindy Palermo
Dr Alan Cottingham
Jake Daviot
April Sturm
Dr Ed Chester
Francesca Flynn / Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association

See full presenter bios below.

Presented in Partnership

Proof of Life is presented by The Wetlands Centre Cockburn in partnership with researchers from the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems – Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University.

Sponsor

This event is supported by Community Bank Fremantle – Bendigo Bank as part of The Wetlands Centre’s wetland symposium series.

Join us for a day of wetland science, biodiversity insight and practical management thinking.
If you want to understand what species can tell us about wetland condition, how biodiversity can be supported, and what applied science looks like in action, this symposium is not to be missed.

Contact the host of Proof of Life – A Wetlands Symposium @TWCC

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