LANDSCOPE Magazine Volume 40, Number 2

Front cover Callistemon sp. In the early stages of inflorescence, as its unique stamens unfurl into bloom. Photo – Rachel Walmsley Back cover Singing honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens) on an eastern states crimson bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), commonly cultivated in WA. Photo – Jiri Lochman LANDSCOPE is produced and printed on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay respects to them, their Elders past and present and to all Aboriginal people and acknowledge their continuing connection to lands across Western Australia.…

As travellers, we visit places to discover something new, something unique; the people, the foods, the culture and the nature of each place. It is these unique characteristics that fascinate and delight us in places newly discovered. In a state as vast as Western Australia, it never ceases to amaze me how distinctly different the natural values of each region are compared to the next. Experiences in nature have the power to change our perspective, to calm us, to centre us and to connect us. Facilitating tourism experiences in WA’s incredible natural areas feels like a privilege and it is the focus of DBCA’s newly developed Nature-based Tourism Division. New and emerging tourism opportunities including tours (see ‘Wanga Mia experience’ on page 44), visitor services, accommodation, events and experiences (see…

Dominic Castledine is the public information manager with the polyphagous shot-hole borer response at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. His work is focused on community education and collaboration with local government agencies to help eradicate this invasive borer and protect WA’s forests and urban tree canopy. More information on PSHB can be found at agric.wa.gov.au/borer Kathryn MacNeil is a passionate tourism trailblazer, tour guide and business owner in the Great Southern region. Based in Mount Barker WA, she is championing the development of sustainable tourism in the region, while leading Mountain Country Tourism, a respected not-for-profit association, into some exciting new projects. Kathryn’s love of the ancient mountains, rich Indigenous culture and abundant agricultural landscapes matches perfectly to promoting the region. Kenny Chatelain is a general hand…

Scarlet robin (Petroica boodang) “I was out checking some artificial hollows in Steak Hill (east of Mandurah) for Carnaby’s cockatoos when this darling little scarlet robin caught my eye. I am pleased to say two out of six hollows already have cockatoo eggs, which is great as we were expecting a very late season.” Have you got a fantastic nature photograph you would like to see published in LANDSCOPE? Send it, along with a 100-word description of the species or how and where you took the shot, to landscope@dbca.wa.gov.au.…

Three koalas have arrived at Yanchep National Park. Miffy, a seven-year-old from Ballarat Wildlife Park, and Louie and Franklin Doogsie are 18-month-old brothers from Cleland Wildlife Park. Although not native to WA, koalas have been a beloved part of Yanchep National Park since 1938 and these arrivals are the first koalas to come to the park from interstate since the 1980s. They’re now part of a satellite breeding program supporting national conservation efforts.…

September saw a major milestone marked for endangered native black cockatoos in Western Australia. Fifteen mature rehabilitated Carnaby’s black cockatoos (Zanda latirostris) were released into Yanchep National Park, bringing the total number of rehabilitated black cockatoos released into the wild to 1000! Every year, hundreds of injured black cockatoos are treated at Perth Zoo vet hospital, then transferred to Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre or Native Animal Rescue to start their rewilding journey. For some birds, it can take years before they are fit and healthy enough to be safely returned to the wild. Once they’re ready for release, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) conservation scientists place a unique ID band on each bird so they can be tracked and monitored if they’re spotted in the wild. This…