Environment Projects

Eddy Giacomel from the Enviroment team, together with new members Merveen and Sue, represented Karrinyup Rotary at the Rotary Treemission planting project 2024. Rotarians and friends from ten clubs gathered over two productive mornings helping to make our waterways healthier through planting native seedlings. This volunteer opportunity was made possible with SERCUL (South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare) and WA State Government who funded land care projects at Wungong River bushland. See more photos on Facebook.

Kay Durrant introduced Aimee Smith, sustainability and climate change consultant, researcher and community builder at Curtin University, to tell us about the Planet Positive Program. This is an educational pathway for sustainability agency and action, offering all students the opportunity to gain sustainability and climate change skills, knowledge and networks during their time at Curtin, regardless of what they are studying, or what field of expertise they want to pursue. Enrolments in the program can come from students from across the entire university ie from all faculties.

Environment Committee member Ross Daniel introduced David Pike and Christine Curry from Friends of Star Swamp Bushland to give an update on recent developments. Friends of Star Swamp Bushland was formed in 1985 to give a community voice and assist with the management of the Reserve. The bushland provides a breeding site and sanctuary for many bird species and is also an important habitat for many species of reptiles, insects, and spiders. Karrinyup Rotary has provided support to this group for many years. 

John Thraves introduced Rotarian Alan Briggs from E-WA to update us on what has happened at treemission, since his last visit. Treemission is a joint project between National Trust of Western Australia and Rotary to inform Rotarians and their communities about the environment. Alan described some of the goals treemission has achieved including informing Rotarians, school children and community members about what is happening to our environment, what can be done to address those impacts and taking action by tree planting.

Heading into the cooler months and the tail end of the WA Tree Festival, you will soon see trees being planted on streets and reserves across the City of Stirling. Similarly, the conservation planting programs are about to start in the stunning bushlands and wetlands. If you would like to get involved and help build a greener City, now is the time to get onboard. Registrations are now open for residents for events in May and June.

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it is a celebration of the achievements of the environmental movement. It includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org. Making small changes in your life can make a big difference in the world. Try spending an hour with all possible electronic devices switched off and just relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Get Inspired. Take Action. Recycle, reuse, reduce. Be a part of the green revolution.

They may be small, but microgreens are easy to grow and pack a real punch when it comes to taste and valuable nutrients. Microgreens are just leafy vegetables or herbs that are harvested when they're young. They're packed with nutrients and add a great pop of flavour and colour to any dish. Even if you don’t have much room in your garden, you can always grow them on an indoor windowsill. They’re quick and easy to grow from seed.

Dawn Palm introduced Rotarian Alan Briggs to speak about Treemission, a tree planting conservation initiative. This Rotary District 9450 program, aims to improve the environment by planting trees to offset carbon emissions and rehabilitate the earth. The concept is to encourage people to make a commitment to address climate change and plant trees to offset their contribution to green house gases and global warming. Treemission aims to inform Rotarians, school children and community members about what is happening to our environment, what can be done to address those impacts and taking action by planting tree to ameliorate those impacts.

Star Swamp Bushland Reserve is a bushland reserve area, which is home to many species of flora and fauna. Lupin plants were introduced there many years ago to provide feed for cattle, which passed through the area. Unfortunately, they they overran the native vegetation. The Friends of Star Swamp organise an annual event to keep the lupins under control. Karrinyuup Rotarians John and Eddy, who assisted this year, remarked that sadly, unlike last year, they found a lot of lupins are making their way back into Star Swamp.

Week 2 - More ideas for Plastic Free July - the bathroom

• Consider bamboo handle toothbrushes
• Silk floss instead of plastic, though it still comes in a plastic container
• Toothpaste in a jar (only seen on websites)
• Reusable razors rather than disposable
• Buy toilet paper in paper wrapping
• Recycle all plastic wrapping by taking it to Coles or Woolies
• Household batteries can be deposited at libraries, Woolies, Bunnings. Never put them in the regular bin - fire risk.
• Buy soap in paper wrapping unless you need the soap free products, which come in plastic bottles and these can be recycled
• Bandaids do come in a fabric form but still have plastic covering the adhesive.
• Cotton  buds are wrapped around a plastic "stick" try looking for organic buds with wooden sticks (hard to find).
• If you use a shower curtain these can be recycled at the end of their useful life.

The club has received a thank you letter from The Friends of Star Swamp Bushland, for our recent donationa. RC Karrinyup has had a long and fruitful collaboration with the group. We have had extensive involvement in the planning and development of the Henderson Environmental Centre and with ongoing interest, support and regular donations. While it was thought we had seen the last of the lupins in the Reserve, a new crop of lupins has germinated this year. Therefore, there will be a lupin pull on Sunday 28 August.

Wondering how you can turn over a new leaf in 2022? The City of Stirling is here to help with some simple sustainable initiatives to help care for the environment and the community. From tree planting to sustainable travel and home sustainability advice, they have you covered with a range of rebates and support. Check out the Living Green program on the City of Stirling website.

The Earth Committee is promoting this fabulous resource, which has been made available. Relax every Saturday with free guided nature walks in Perth urban bushlands. See the seasonal changes in plant and animal life in your local bushland area. Get out and connect with nature. All walks start at 8.00am on Saturday mornings and run for an hour (or sometimes more). Print off the brochure and keep it handy for future reference.

RC Karrinyup’s new Earth Committee is charged with caring for the environment in ways, which will bring about positive change in the world. Members recently attended a social event seeking to collaborate with Friends of Trigg Bushland. We look forward to hearing a presentation at a club meeting very soon, as we work with them to achieve our common goals.

Star Swamp Bushland Reserve is a bushland reserve area, which is home to many species of flora and fauna. Lupin plants were introduced to Star Swamp many years ago to provide feed for cattle, which passed through the area. Unfortunately, they became so prolific that they overran the native vegetation. The Friends of Star Swamp organise an annual event to keep the lupins under control. This year, as in previous years, RC Karrinyup has assisted with Earth Committee member Ross Daniel coordinating the volunteers. It was a very successful day and the fine winter weather saw eight Rotarians and friends turn up to form a Lupathon hit squad. 

Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare is a volunteer group that looks after the care and regeneration of our coastal dunes by eradicating non indigenous plants and weeds and planting appropriate plants for the area. During the 2017 – 2018 year, the RC Karrinyup made a donation to the Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare group to cover the cost of signage, which identifies plants and a banner to display where the group is working.

Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged every Rotarian to plant at least one tree before Earth Day on Sunday 22nd April 2018. RC Karrinyup held a tree planting day at Carine Open Space in September. The Great Green Crusade features in the December/January issue of Rotary Down Under with our own Peter Durrant and Mac Horsnell included in the photo spread. If you missed it in RDU, check it out. 

Current RI President Ian Riseley has challenged every Rotarian to plant a tree during 2017 - 2018.  Rotary District 9455 Governor Lindsay Dry gifted President Phil with a small shrub, which he presented to Community Service Director Peter to kickstart the program in our club. This is a nice fit with the City of Stirling’s Street Trees objective. Are you up for the challenge? Can we plant 43 trees? Can Rotary plant 1.2 million trees this year?