From Joondalup Times: Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park chairman Will Carstairs invites people interested in caring for the environment to attend a presentation on Friday. Picture: Hazel Buckley

LOCAL environment advocates hope to learn more about how best to conserve bush and woodlands by attending the Urban Bushland Council WA biodiversity symposium this Friday.

“Perth’s Banksia Woodlands: precious and under threat” is the title of the event, with acclaimed frog, fungi, possum and plant researchers among the speakers at Mt Claremont.

It should prove educational and helpful in building environmental networks and ideas for future collaboration, according to Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park chairman Will Carstairs.

“To have a voice, you need to go along to these events to keep people aware that we exist,” he said.

“It is also about showing other groups, like agencies and schools, what we are doing.”

Four members of the Friends are attending, hoping to gather ideas for their planned rehabilitation of an area of banksia woodland in the northern section of Yellagonga Regional Park, close to Lake Joondalup.

Iluka resident Marjorie Apthorpe and Marilyn Zakrevsky, of Mullaloo, will also attend, representing the Joondalup Coast Care Forum.

The pair are eager bushland photographers, particularly of endangered species, such as the Graceful Sun Moth.

Ms Zakrevsky said the group had projects planned to help the local eco-system, and welcomed new helpers.

“Banksias, kangaroo paws, orchids and Nuytsia – the brilliant orange WA Christmas tree – are here because they evolved to grow here in our sands, with our dry summers and wet winters,” she said.

For details, call 9420 7207.

Last Updated on Sunday, 13 May 2012 15:44