The outstanding conservation values of the Brixton St Wetlands are recognised in many ways. It is now part of the largest area of bushland remaining in the Pinjarra Plain in the Perth region.

This continuous area of 126 hectares includes the Brixton Street Wetlands, the University of WA’s Yule Brook Reserve, and extends north-east as far as Welshpool Road and Tonkin Hwy. Known as the ‘Greater Brixton St Wetlands’ this area is protected as a bush forever site. This is the best and largest area of bushland remaining on extending to Welshpool Road in the northeast. This larger area has over 500 types of wildflowers.

Bush Forever is a whole-of-government initiative that identifies regionally significant bushland and recommends it for protection. Bush Forever was released in December 2000 and includes some Swan Coastal Plain wetlands. Inclusion of these wetlands is based on the Water and Rivers Commission’s wetland mapping, classification and evaluation work and Department of Environmental Protection studies. Bush Forever is an important initiative for protecting the wetlands in the Perth region.

The Brixton St Wetlands now has a secure future. In 2004 it was purchased by the state government for conservation and put under the management of the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM).  However numerous threats still remain. Our actions will determine whether it lives or slowly dies.

Please care for the wetlands by observing the following:

• All native flora and fauna are protected by law.
• Dogs disturb both flora and fauna, please leave them at home.
• Report all fires immediately, dial 000.
• please report any damage or vandalism as soon as possible to  CALM on 9405 0700.
• remember,  dumped rubbish and garden waste introduces weeds and diseases.
• Keep cats in at night, that’s when they hunt in the bush land.
• Take only photos, leave only footprints,  please keep to the footpaths.

To help preserve this fragile environment, the Friends convene regularly to help maintain the wetlands by seed collecting, planting and weeding. The Friends observe a series of guidelines that have been established to prevent the further loss or degradation of these valuable wetlands, and promote wetland conservation, creation and restoration.

Our management practices include:

• Maintaining a variety of habitats to provide feeding, breeding and seasonal needs of fauna, in particular the Quenda.
• Restoration that focuses on augmenting natural regeneration and maintain the distinctive local flora.
• To maintain these viable wild populations, the species and genetic diversity of wetland dependent flora and fauna.
• To maintain the abundance of waterbird populations, particularly migratory species.
• Using propagation material which is derived from locally collected seed/cuttings etc.
• Clearing the waters of any refuse.
• Conducting surveys to ensure the hydrological status of  the wetlands.
• Maintaining paths for public access and repairing fences.
• To greatly increase community awareness and appreciation of the many values of wetlands, and the importance of sound management of wetlands and their catchments in the maintenance of those values.

The interpretive display established at the Altona Street entrance features some of these guidelines as well as the appropriate behaviour required in the Wetlands. It also includes information on the natural values of the area, in particular the annual renewal of the flora, the impact of fire, dieback, weed invasion etc., and the flora and fauna that are protected including tadpoles.

Our maintenance efforts ensures the community can share in the peace, tranquility and the ongoing cycle of life in the Brixton Street Wetlands without putting this cycle at risk.

Our goal is to keep the community informed of our efforts to preserve this natural heritage. Along with the residents of the community, parents and interested professionals – schools can involve their students in study and action for the Wetlands. We encourage youngsters to learn about the wetlands and provide information about the environment and in acting for the environment.

Wetlands are an educational resource for people of all ages, they provide the opportunity to study and explore the natural environment in urban areas where little native vegetation remains. Youngsters can learn how to monitor wetland health through macro invertebrate and water quality sampling. Further studies may also include gaining a better understanding of wetland ecosystems and their biological, ecological,chemical and hydrological processes, so that we may manage them sustainably.

• Learn more about scientific and botanic values.
• Anyone can become involved in activities which improve the area.
• Appreciate the animals and plants of the wetlands.
• Experience the rewards of conservation firsthand.
• Enjoy the involvement of positive activities with families and friends .
• Help preserve the community’s natural heritage.

Creating social awareness about environmental action benefits the community in many ways. Bring the family and experience the beauty of this area first hand with one of our guided nature-walks or help out at our activity days.

Our ongoing conservation efforts have helped the wetlands retain a thriving and functional ecosystem that is home to a diverse assortment of birds, frogs and other fauna that have been attracted to the area. The Brixton St wetlands are synonymous with Kenwick and contribute towards the local landscape and character which are often points of reference of the urban and rural areas of the coastal plain. The significance of the Brixton St wetlands and the associated wetlands to the north west, including the Yule Brook Reserve, is that they represent the second largest and most floristically diverse palusplain between Gingin and Mandurah.

The Wetlands are also an important component in the natural and partially artificial hydrological systems which control the movement and quality of water across the coastal plain.  For example, storm-water is often directed to wetlands which in turn may discharge to the groundwater or to streams. Wetland vegetation is known to filter out nutrients and thus improve water quality. The plants and animals and the ecosystems they constitute together with the surrounding physical environment represent natural resources which are part of the heritage of Australia and are of potential value to future generations.

Our activity days help ensure the ongoing conservation of this important region that has great natural value and continued benefits to us as a community.

Fauna and flora surveys are conducted regularly by both the friends and professionals to identify threatened ecological communities and rare species. The Wetlands are remarkably diverse in physical and biological composition and in the ecological processes and functions they support. All the plant and animal species in the wetlands are part of a complex ecological network where individual organisms interact with each other and the non-living environment around them.

We deliver significant ecological outcomes, addressing threatening processes to conservation values including threatened fauna, flora and endangered ecological communities. The plant diversity of the wetlands was first comprehensively documented in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During these surveys several presumed extinct species that had not been recorded since the early twentieth century were rediscovered. A number of completely new species were located (for example, Eleocharis keigheryi); in fact, new species are still being located.

The information from these surveys contributed to the recognition of the wetland’s values as part of the assessment of a proposal to develop land, including the wetlands for housing. The outstanding values of the wetlands were recognised in this process and the area is now protected and reserved for conservation.

Our ongoing conservation efforts have helped the wetlands retain a thriving and functional ecosystem that is home to a diverse assortment of birds, frogs and other fauna that have been attracted to the area.

To protect the bushland, we contribute to the regeneration of the native flora in the wetlands. The area provides food, shelter and habitats for the native fauna and regeneration of our native flora. These remaining natural areas are home to particularly diverse, endangered and/or vulnerable species of flora and fauna.

Flora restoration focuses on augmenting natural regeneration through weed control, the focus being on the serious weeds. Our efforts to assist the regeneration of native flora also involves taking cuttings and planting in areas affected by the elements.

Weed invasions
Weeds are a serious threat to wetlands as they compete strongly for space, light, nutrients and water in areas where native plant species occur. This is not because native species are inherently weak, but unlike the native species, the weed species no longer have to contend with the grazing animals and disease organisms found in their own natural environment.

The spread of introduced weed species is closely linked to the disturbance of native vegetation through activities such as clearing, grazing and dumping of garden refuse. Frequent fires in urban wetlands and surrounding bushland also favour weed invasion and establishment.

Aquatic weeds spread rapidly, often forming dense mats above or below the water that can limit light entering a wetland and deplete oxygen needed by aquatic fauna. Weed invasion threatens wetland biodiversity, leading to a decline in species and habitat diversity.

Weeds degrade wetland ecology in a number of ways, such as:

• restricting native plant regeneration and growth through competition;
• reducing the resources available for feeding, breeding and shelter of most native fauna; and
• increasing fire risk as a result of increased fuel loads.