Community Conservation Network

Friends Irwin Street Reserve

The Friends of Irwin Street Reserve are a dedicated volunteer group who work to protect and enhance this unique natural area and regularly host community planting days. The reserve features towering, mature Tuarts and peppermint trees in the east, transitioning to diverse coastal dune vegetation in the west, with many Acacia species, dense shrubs, and understory flowering species. With a beautiful trail running throughout, the reserve is both an important habitat and a valued community space, enriched and cared for through the group’s 20+ years of ongoing efforts

Community Planting Day with the Friends of Irwin Street in July 2025. 

Friends of the Big Swamp and Community at one of the 2024 planting sites at Big Swamp Parkland.

Friends of Big Swamp

The Friends of Big Swamp have played a vital role in transforming the area into the lush, vibrant, and thriving habitat it is today. Big Swamp wouldn’t be the awesome place it is today without the dedicated volunteer team. Friends of Big Swamp contribute a wide range of valuable work, from planting and weeding to flora and fauna surveys, turtle monitoring, and much more! If you are keen to get involved, contact friendsofbigswamp@mail.com or fill out the form below.

Friends of Hartley Anderson Reserve

The Friends of Hartley Anderson are a passionate volunteer group dedicated to caring for one of the City’s larger and more diverse reserves. Featuring towering Tuart and peppermint trees, a rich understory of native shrubs and understory species, and an open grassy area perfect for walking the dog or picnicking, the reserve is both an ecological haven and a valued community space. The group regularly undertakes weeding, revegetation, and monitoring for the threatened western ringtail possum, with the reserve supporting an abundance of orchids and native animals thanks to their ongoing efforts.

Friends of Hartley Anderson Members Rosie, Colin, Wanda, Kyra, and Arthur at the community planting day in June 2026

Stewards of Katherine Chauhan

The stewards are a dedicated environmental volunteer group that meets weekly to help care for and protect Katherine Chauhan Reserve. The volunteers play a crucial role in nurturing the threatened ecological community by watering seedlings, surveying local flora, and removing invasive weeds that threaten native species. The group has surveyed over 180 species of endemic flora in this remnant bushland that was destined to be cleared for development. In 2025/2026 the Stewards of Katherine Chauhan Reserve have dedicated over 200 hours of their time caring for this reserve!

Regional Urban Greening Group 

The Bunbury Regional Urban Greening Group (RUGG) are working with the City to plant pocket forests in passive reserves.
What is a Pocket Forest? A pocket forest is a small, densely planted area of native vegetation with plants being selected from endemic local species. These pocket forests will be nurtured by a forest guardian, RUGG and City staff while they are established to see if the Miyawaki method of planting will improve biodiversity and attract birdlife to cleared reserves that are unirrigated. Be sure to check these forests out at Oldham Place, Usher and Ashrose Drive, Withers.

Friends of Manea Park

Manea Park is one of the City's pristine bush Reserves, home to a wildflower wonderland of orchids, birds, possums, woodland and wetland ecosystems. The Group routinely carry out Dieback Management with Phosphite stem injections, Revegetation and weeding, monitoring, and guided nature and wildflower walks. The Friends Of Manea Park encourage new residents living in the Manea Park, College Grove area to join this fun group.

Manea Park forms part of the Kalgalup Regional Park and is managed by DBCA. Contact Bunbury@dbca.wa.gov.au or fill out the form below to get involved.

Friends of Maidens Reserve

The Friends of Maidens Reserve are a newly formed volunteer group dedicated to caring for and protecting the unique Maidens Reserve. This special landscape transitions between Tuart forest and coastal dune vegetation communities, creating a rare and diverse habitat. The group is excited to begin their journey in maintaining and enhancing this incredible reserve, which supports a wide range of native species, including the western ringtail possum.

Maidens reserve forms part of the Kalgalup Regional Park and is managed by DBCA. Contact Bunbury@dbca.wa.gov.au or fill out the form below to get involved.

Friends of the Estuary

Friends of the Estuary is a dedicated volunteer task force supporting the ongoing restoration and maintenance of sites within the Estuary Connect Program, an initiative by the Leschenault Catchment Council. Volunteers help protect and enhance the unique Leschenault Estuary, including Bunbury’s Pelican Point Wetlands, through activities such as revegetation, weed management, seedling watering, clean-ups, and habitat restoration. One of the South West’s most important coastal ecosystems, the Leschenault Estuary provides vital habitat for native wildlife, migratory birds, and fish nurseries. Whether contributing regularly or lending a hand when available, every volunteer effort helps improve the health of this remarkable environment for both wildlife and the community.

Friends of the Estuary is managed by Leschenault Catchment Council. Contact recpetion@leschenaultcc.org.au or fill out the form below to get involved.