Environmental volunteers receive funding boost

A total of 26 community groups will receive a funding boost in 2025 to help protect and enhance the Swan and Canning rivers, thanks to the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP).

The funding will support the groups to deliver a total of 55 environmental restoration projects.

This joint initiative of Alcoa of Australia, Burswood Park Board and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), delivered by Perth NRM, has contributed more than $10.7 million to the community over the past 27 years.

The program has involved hundreds of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to restore the priority waterways and bushland, contributing more than 255,000 hours. Volunteer work has included weeding, planting thousands of seedlings and collecting rubbish to reduce pollution of Perth’s natural areas.

The dedicated work of local volunteers and community groups to undertake these projects was recognised at a recent funding ceremony at Kings Park in Perth, ahead of International Thank a Volunteer Day on 5 December.

“Thanks to the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, volunteers have planted more than 3 million plants in the Swan Canning catchment, making a significant difference to the amount of habitat available for local fauna and improving ecosystem health,” said DBCA Manager Swan Canning Waterways Branch Glen McLeod-Thorpe.

“A big part of our role as responsible stewards of the lands where we operate is to work with and enable people in those communities and surrounds to protect, restore and manage the places they call home,” Alcoa of Australia Director Corporate Affairs Jodie Read said.

“We are incredibly proud of our 27-year involvement with the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program that gives grassroots volunteers the ability to do their important conservation work for our waterways.”

Perth NRM CEO Keith Pekin said the group appreciated the fantastic work of community-led groups in restoring natural spaces which led to beneficial outcomes for the environment and the broader community.

“We are very pleased to once again be supporting volunteer groups in this valuable work through SALP funding,” he said.

To see the successful 2025 recipients and projects, please visit:
www.perthnrm.com/blog/2024/12/04/2025-salp-recipients