Clean Up Australia Month – Do It For The Dolphins!

Do it for the Dolphins!

Join us in the annual Clean Up Month, where local community groups from across the Peel-Harvey Catchment come together to make a positive impact on our land and waterways. This collective effort, known as ‘Clean Up Month’, is part of annual the National Clean Up Australian campaign and aims to protect the valuable wetlands in our area, which are internationally recognized through the Ramsar convention.

Our Ramsar Site 482 encompasses the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel Inlet, Harvey Estuary), Yalgorup lakes [RB1] and the freshwater lakes, including Lake Mealup, Lake McLarty.. These wetlands are not only important for our local wildlife, such as the dolphins that inhabit these waters, but also for the global community. It is our responsibility to safeguard this unique ecosystem from threats like litter.

Litter that enters our waterways poses a significant danger to the wildlife that depends on them. Animals can suffer from injuries and even death due to ingestion or entanglement in materials, with plastic being the most common form of waste. Therefore, it is crucial that we protect our waterways and their surroundings, which provide habitats for a diverse range of species, including approximately 80 resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and thousands of migratory shorebirds. By keeping our environment clean, we ensure a safe habitat for all local wildlife.

The Friends of Rivers Peel, Mandurah Environment and Heritage Group, Coastal Waste Warriors, and Peel-Harvey Catchment Council are calling on our community to participate in Clean Up Month this March. Whether you’re a school, community group, family, or a group of friends, you can all make a difference by organising or attending a clean-up event in your local area.

The Peel Harvey Catchment Council fully supports this initiative and actively promotes community clean-ups throughout the region. Last year, 280 volunteers participated in 20 events, successfully collecting an impressive 2.8 tonnes (2,860 kilograms) of litter and debris, primarily from rivers and wetland areas along the coastal plain catchment of the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Now in its 8th year, we aim to make this year’s efforts even bigger and better.

If you’re interested in organising a clean-up or looking to join one in your neighbourhood, register your event via the Clean Up Australia HERE.  

Together, let’s make a positive impact on our environment and create a cleaner, safer habitat for all.