Restoring the Canning Tidal Flats

Our Climate Champions

Blue Carbon Powerhouses Under Threat

Saltmarshes are among our most powerful allies in the fight against climate change. These coastal and estuarine ecosystems capture and store carbon at rates far exceeding terrestrial forests, making them vital “blue carbon” habitats. Yet they’re also among our most vulnerable ecosystems and are recognised as a nationally significant Threatened Ecological Community (TEC). At Adenia Lagoon and the Kent Street Weir, the Canning Tidal Flats Restoration Project is working to protect and restore these rare but remarkable ecosystems that are also multi-tasking experts, delivering numerous ecosystem services for local wildlife and international migratory species alike.

Reclaiming the Flats and Restoring Health

The project began with a smoking ceremony led by Whadjuk Elder Stan Headland in February 2025. Since then, repeated weed treatments have cleared 6 hectares of invasive Typha at Adenia Lagoon, reclaiming 1.3 hectares for saltmarsh. With extensive revegetation scheduled for March–April 2026, we will restore its carbon-capture potential, expand the nationally significant salt marsh TEC, and significantly increase habitat for aquatic and terrestrial animals that rely on saltmarshes.

Near Kent St Weir, the health and ecosystem function of almost 7 hectares of saltmarsh community are being restored and protected by tackling invasive weeds, addressing disruptions to tidal connectivity, and reducing disturbance from human traffic.

In both areas, invasive couch grass at the water’s edge is being removed to reduce weed growth and improve tidal connectivity, which is essential for healthy saltmarsh function.

An additional key challenge at Adenia Lagoon is the management of stormwater to reduce the impact of freshwater flushing of an otherwise estuarine habitat.  SERCUL will continue to work with the City of Canning, the Water Corporation, DBCA and the Canning River Regional Park Community Advisory Committee to address this issue.

Building Awareness and Capacity

This project is as much about education as restoration. Students from UWA’s School of Design have twice visited Adenia Lagoon to learn about saltmarsh ecology and even collected Typha to experiment with as a bio-construction material.  SERCUL staff have also attended a workshop at UWA to further raise awareness of the issues impacting the saltmarsh. North Metro TAFE students and Murdoch University interns have gained hands-on experience in restoration techniques.

Priorities for the coming months

Our weed control efforts will again ramp up over the summer in preparation for autumn planting.  We will continue to address disturbance from pedestrian traffic at Kent St and work to clear culverts so tidal connection is maintained.  At Adenia Lagoon, we will continue to work with project partners, the Canning River Regional Park Community Advisory Committee and the Water Corporation, to tackle the impacts of stormwater and invasive species.

Join Us

Watch for opportunities to participate in planting days in March 2026. Together, we’re not just restoring habitat—we’re rebuilding nature’s own climate solution.  Together, let’s fight to restore the saltmarsh and support it while it fights for us against climate change.

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with support from SERCUL and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.