Wetlands in the Kimberley region
Melaleuca glomerata at one of the many extensive wetlands within Paruku Indigenous Protected Area (IPA)
© Tanya Vernes
The Kimberley Region in north-western Australia is known throughout the world for its spectacular river systems and coastal wetlands.
The area boasts seventeen of the state's 26 pristine/near pristine rivers, and is home to more than 850,000 birds each year.
It also features three nationally protected, Ramsar-listed, wetlands, one biosphere reserve, and one Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) significant for its Aboriginal cultural and heritage values.
The rivers, wetlands and groundwater systems in the Kimberley also have important social and economic values, supporting local industries such as barramundi fisheries, tourism and aquaculture.
But the Kimberley wetlands are increasingly subject to pressure from human activities such as land degradation and expansion of irrigated agriculture, mining, tourism, aquaculture, feral plants and animal invasions. Water use in Western Australia is also set to double over the next 20 years, which will place additional pressure on water resources statewide.
It is now becoming urgent to safeguard Australia's tropical rivers, especially those in the Kimberley, and to ensure a future that provides enduring environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits.
WWF-Australia's Kimberley Wetlands Project
WWF-Australia is committed to sustaining the unique biodiversity of this extraordinary region through partnerships with the local community.
In the Kimberley, Aboriginal people comprise close to 50% of the population, and Native Title rights and interests cover the majority of its land and sea areas. Traditional knowledge and skills are thus an essential component of sustainable land management, and we actively encourage dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous natural resource managers to help plan for healthy Kimberley country.
We are also working with government agencies, research organisations and other non-government organisations to protect the values that make this rich and inspiring Kimberley country so unique.
WWF is:
- Facilitating community-based management planning at Roebuck Bay - a Ramsar site, Threatened Ecological community and one of the most important migratory shorebird sites in Australia.
- Supporting a study to record traditional ecological knowledge of the Walmajarri people at Paruku wetlands in the Tanami Desert, to help transfer knowledge, build recognition for traditional management and protect the wetlands.
- Developing conservation agreements and management actions that protect unique wetland sites - including investigating Ramsar listing.
- Seeking ways to improve the sustainable use of freshwater in places like the Ord River catchment. We're looking at the values and links between ecological health and human well-being, and promoting behavioural changes to improve water resources, maintain ecosystem health, avert salinity and enhance water quality.
- Researching and recording wetlands across the Kimberley to identify their quality, location, values and threats through a joint Natural Heritage Trust-WWF funded project.
- Contributing to the Kimberley-Subregional natural resource management plan to build greater recognition for water and wetland values, and ensure water conservation and protection strategies are included in the sub-regional and regional Rangelands plan.
Newsletter
We have put together a newsletter covering issues and progress on wetlands in the Kimberley.
Publications and Reports
Coastal and Marine Natural Values of the Kimberley
The spotlight has turned towards the Kimberley coast and marine environment, not for its biodiversity values but because of the hydrocarbon resources buried offshore. WWF-Australia is keen to ensure that a full and accurate picture of marine and coastal natural values is included in any planning and assessment efforts.
How you can help
If you're interested in getting involved in helping to protect the magnificent wetlands of the Kimberley region, contact WWF-Australia Project Officer Tanya Vernes on 08 8941 7554 for information about public forums and other community activities.
