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25.01.2022 Zamias are in the cycad family which is one of the most ancient plant groups on Earth! These plants are commonly mistaken for palm trees but they are not related. Zamias do not have flowers but rather large cones which grow from the centre of the plant. It has sperate male and female plants which are pollinated via weevil who travels between the male and female carrying pollen. The adult plants are resilient to many fires as the old leaf bases on their trunks act as insulatio...n to protect the tissue in the centre. This means that once the fire has passed, the living tissue can grow into new leaves and the tree can keep growing and living. You can see the amazing new growth in this photo. Next time you are out on a bush walk, keep an eye out for these unusual plants and see if you can spot the bright red fruits of the female zamia. Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

24.01.2022 Friday Fun Fact This beautiful hammer orchid produces a pheromone which attracts native male wasps. As the wasp tries to grasp onto what he thinks is a female wasp, the flowers inbuilt hinge pivots the wasp into the pollen. As the wasp moves onto another hammer orchid it transfers the pollen. The orchid is pollinated but poor wasp is confused! ... Talk about amazing pollination techniques!! See more

23.01.2022 Sunlit Spring We are excited to be back for the spring school holidays! Not only are we back at Rio Tinto Naturescape in Kings Park and Botanic Garden but we have partnered with WA Parks Foundation for #Springintoparks! Get outdoors these school holidays and join us for great, hands-on activities such as:... Trek the Track Tiny Seed to Mighty Tree Palaeontologist for a Day Nature's Calling Animal Trails Swamp Dwellers and so much more For more information or to book visit https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even See you there! Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Explore Parks WA Perth School Holidays Buggybuddys City of Canning City of Bayswater City of Melville Burswood Park City of Cockburn

23.01.2022 Looking for some last minute weekend ideas? Come and join us and City of Bayswater for a Night Stalk this Friday 20th of November for a family friendly walk through Lightning Swamp and discover the nocturnal creatures hiding within. For ages 6+ and prices 418 for a family of 4 (or $15 for Discovery Club families). Bookings are essential https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even... See you there!

21.01.2022 Sunbaking skinks Now that the weather is starting to warm up reptiles of all sizes are starting to come out. Reptiles are cold blooded and cannot regulate their own body temperature which means they rely on the sun to get warm!... Keep an eye out for our scaly friends and remember, if you see a snake or lizard do not approach it and just let them enjoy their sunbaking. To see some reptiles up close these school holidays, join us for Deadly and Dangerous at Piney Lakes on Friday 2nd Oct. Head to https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even for more information or to book. Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Perth School Holidays

20.01.2022 21st Australian Association of Environmental Education Biennial National Conference goes online! COVID-19 restrictions has meant that the AAEE Biennial National Conference will be presented online for the first time. Go to https://aaeeconference.org.au/ to see the exciting line-up of presenters for this 1 day on-line Conference. Be inspired, challenge your perceptions and get engaged with fellow environmental educators from across Australia and beyond. ... Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc.

19.01.2022 Such devastating news about one of the local riverpark dolphins. Please be responsible while out fishing and correctly dispose of your fishing line.

18.01.2022 Australia’s biggest frog count is still on By joining in and recording frog calls throughout this week, you are helping researcher’s get a better understanding on frog populations across Australia. Frogs are important ecosystem indicators as they are sensitive to environmental change, so if the frogs are missing, we know something is wrong with the environment. Download the free FrogID app and head down to your local wetland, pond or creek to record frog calls. You can find out more about this amazing project at portal.frogid.net.au/frog-id-week

17.01.2022 To celebrate NAIDOC week, we have a bit of a challenge for you all Listen carefully to the video, can you guess the four animal sounds Derek from Yanchep National Park, plays on the Didgeridoo? The correct answers will be posted at the end of NAIDOC week, this Sunday 15th November.... Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Explore Parks WA

17.01.2022 Science providing the weapons to fight dieback.... We are putting the spotlight on dieback for #nationalscienceweek2020 Dieback is a disease which affects about 40% of native plant species in the south-west of Western Australia. Through a better understanding of this water-borne disease, science has provided the tools to help jarrah trees fight back.... This week, Bush Ranger Cadets from Yanchep Secondary College visited Perth Hills for a hands-on excursion, injecting jarrah trees with phosphite to improve their resistance to the disease.

15.01.2022 cuteness overload . This adorable brushtail possum joey was sadly rejected by its mother . Luckily, Sue from Blue Gum Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation was able to take her into care and will be looking after the little girl until she is big and healthy enough to be released back into the wild. . It is really important that if you see any joeys or sick and injured wildlife that you call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 so they can help you get the animal to proper care.... Remember female marsupials such as kangaroos, possums and bandicoots have pouches which you will need to check for joeys! . Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia See more

13.01.2022 Tiny Seed to Mighty Tree From small seeds, big trees grow! Join us in the beautiful Perth Hills for an exploration through the forest to discover more about our beautiful trees. ... In hands-on games and activities, the kids will learn how hard it is for a seed to grow into a tree, what different seeds look and feel like and why they are so important to the animals and environment. For ages 4-7, running on Tuesday 29th September 10-11.30am at Perth Hills Discover Centre. Use the code: TINYSEED to recieve 25% off each ticket purchase in this Facebook special. For more information or to book head to https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even Perth School Holidays Buggybuddys

12.01.2022 Want to get your secondary students engaged in the curriculum through hands-on activities in the natural environment? The 2021 Nearer to Nature Secondary brochure is now online. Our amazing range of excursions and incursions for secondary students covers - Forests Threatened species... Fire Rivers and Wetlands Indigenous Culture All programs are curriculum linked and run at a variety of locations across the Perth Metro area Head to https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/get-inv/nearer-to-nature/schools for more information and to enquire. Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc. Sustainable Schools WA Science Teachers' Association of WA - STAWA GAWA - Geographical Association of Western Australia Catholic Education WA AISWA Inclusive Education Homeschooling Perth Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia

12.01.2022 Friday Fun Fact . Another amazing pollination technique! Trigger plants have a shape that encourages pollinators to land in a specific direction. . When the insect puts pressure on a specific part of the flower a spring loaded column is set off. The column pivots around quickly and hits the insect with either pollen or picks up pollen. Different species of Trigger plant have the column pivoted in different positions so pollen is deposited on different parts of the insect.... This prevents cross pollination between different species of Trigger plant. . Yet another amazing pollination technique found in our local environment. Several species are starting to flower with the warming weather! See more

12.01.2022 CREEC a place of relaxation and learning The Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC) at the Kent Street Weir is an oasis in an urban setting. Great recreational facilities provided by the City of Canning ensure the public enjoy a relaxing riverside setting, and then there is the Café! It is also a significant environmental reserve being part of the Canning River Regional Park. The weir is an iconic structure and provides a great focus for the public and school excursi...ons. Downstream is salty water but upstream is fresh water. Look either side of the weir and notice the difference in plants, where plants are found is based on their tolerance to salty conditions. Similar to plants, the aquatic macroinvertebrates distribution is affected by salinity, so different organisms are found above and below the weir. As well as excursions classes can engage in self-guided activities and explore part of the Regional Park for themselves. But to get the most from your time a wide choice of aquatic based excursions for Kindy through to yr 12 are available. These excursions are led my qualified and experienced leaders who know the local environment and it’s issues City of Canning SERCUL

11.01.2022 Get the buzz on pollinators Our gardens and bushlands rely on pollinators to grow and survive. From the birds to the bees and beetles, we need to acknowledge how important these animals are to the environment. Plants rely on pollinators to transfer pollen to other flowers to fertilise the plant so it can develop seeds and fruits. This week is Australian Pollinator Week, so why not head out and search for pollinators in your garden at home or school or investigate your l...ocal park. Keep a journal on what pollinators you find and which colour flower they are attracted to, can you see any pollen on their body? If you are feeling very patient, try and take some photos of pollinators you see out and about. Make sure to share them with us!

11.01.2022 How did you go guessing the animal sounds on the didgeridoo? Here are the answers Yonga- Kangaroo Kaakaa- Kookaburra... Dwert- Dingo Weitch- Emu See more

10.01.2022 Happy Mother's Day We hope all the mum's our there have a beautiful day

10.01.2022 You may have recently noticed a lot of ‘bee looking’ insects flying around your flowers at home or at the park. These are actually a species of fly known as a hoverfly. They are often mistaken for bees as they have a similar black and yellow colouring but there is an easy way to tell the difference. Look for the eyes! Hoverflies have large eyes which are prominent on their head. Hovering around flowers in warm months, these invertebrates are important pollinators and they a...re also great at controlling aphids. As the days get warmer, more hoverflies and native bees will start heading out. You can invite these important pollinators into your garden by planting native flowers or why not even have a go at building a native bee hotel!

10.01.2022 Nature is filled with so many noises! Join us for Nature's Calling to discover different animal calls, what they mean and how you can identify some of the species. Running at Canning River Eco Education Centre for 3-7 year olds, this hands-on activity will have the kids mimicing animal calls while learning about our beautiful environment. For more information or to book head to https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even... $12 Discovery Club Members or $14 Non-members. See more

10.01.2022 Frog count! To (frog) kick off FrogID week we want you to get to know one of the more common species of frog in the South West, the Slender tree frog. You may hear the male Slender tree frogs calling throughout the year at your local wetlands. Camouflaging away on reeds and sedges, these frogs range in colour from pale brown through to bright green and have a very recognisable dark stripe along both sides, running from head to body.... Make sure to download the FrogID app to join in on Australia's biggest frog count. Head to https://www.frogid.net.au/ Dom Lim Photography Australian Museum

08.01.2022 Woylie comfy... Wildlife carer Sue brought Trevor the woylie along with her today to show the Year 2s doing our Wildlife Wonders program what a remarkably useful tail woylie’s have. Being prehensile, the tails can pick up and carry sticks that are used to build a nest.... Pretty handy trick that! Who hasn’t wished for an extra hand or two As well as seeing and meeting native animals (the children got up close to an echidna and cuddled a joey) the students also learnt how to find evidence of animals in the bush and about their habitats. Visit our website for more information about Wildlife Wonders, which is specially geared to Years 1 and 2: dbca.wa.gov.au/nearertonature

08.01.2022 Nature Play WA have a new app and it looks AMAZING! A great way to get outdoors and discover while completing challenges and quiz questions. Why not download the app this weekend and head to Kings Park and Botanic Garden to try the Wildflower Play Trail. See below for more details on how to download the app.

07.01.2022 Can plants hide their fruits Bookleaf pea (Davesia cordata) is an amazing plant. The classic pea shaped flowers are a rich orange and brown. Look closely at the base of the flower stem and you will discover small bracts (modified leaves). After the flowers have been pollinated, these bracts enlarge to cover and protect the developing fruits- hence the name 'bookleaf'. Hiding the developing fruits away from predators means more seeds available for germination. Interestingly, the species name 'cordata' refers to the heart shaped leaf- check it out next time your in the bush.

06.01.2022 Wander through Wildflower-land Spring is the PERFECT time to find and discover more about our beautiful wildflowers. With so many colours, shapes and sizes, these flowers transform the bush. Join us for Wander through Wildflowerland on Friday 9th Oct in the Perth Hills for a wonderful morning filled with wildflower walks, pollinator games and a journey through the importnace of flowers. For ages 3-7, running 10-11.30am and as it wouldn't be spring without flowers, we are o...ffering this activity as a SPRING SPECIAL for $10 for Discovery Club Members and $12 for Non-members. Bookings essential at parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/group-e/nearer-nature-community-events Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Perth School Holidays Buggybuddys LetsGoKids Explore Parks WA

06.01.2022 . Celebrating these adorable critters on #worldlizardday . #nearertonature #lizard #reptile

06.01.2022 Nearer to Nature’s Western Shield Fauna Biology has the students investigating scientific techniques to re-establish native animals. In this hands-on program, students will compare a range of fauna monitoring techniques and discover the processes required to help re-introduce native animals to their natural environment. The day will have the students looking at conservation and monitoring of native species in a different way and there is even the opportunity to meet some thr...eatened animals up close! Western Shield Fauna Biology can be delivered at Perth Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring, or if you don’t feel like the drive up the hill, we also deliver this program at Canning River Eco Education Centre. We are now taking secondary school bookings for 2021. Head to www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/get-involved/nearer-to-nature/schools for more information.

05.01.2022 Animal Trails Animals in the bush are not easy to spot! Bring out your mini detective to search and collect clues and evidence left behind by some shy animals, to discover who is hiding away in bush. Once you have solved the mystery, sit down and enjoy an upclose encounter with some native animals. ... For ages 4-7, running at Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre on Friday 2nd of October 9.30-11am. For more information and to book head to https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au//nearer-nature-community-even City of Melville Perth School Holidays Buggybuddys

04.01.2022 Happy Father's Day We hope all the dads had a great day filled with lots of love and family time! A big shout out to our families who came along to our Father's Day Condos for Critters Camp. These insect hotels turned out amazing and some great quality family time was had ... Thanks to Dom Lim Photography for the beautiful photos (more to come during the week)

04.01.2022 happy world numbat day

03.01.2022 quality family time outdoors We are once again partnering with @cityofbayswater for a couple of family Night Stalks at Lightning Swamp Bushland Reserve. Ages 6+ and prices starting from $15 for a family. Running on Friday 6th and Friday 13th November 6.30-8pm.... Bookings are essential so to book your family in or for more information head to parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/group-e/nearer-nature-community-events @domlimphoto

02.01.2022 For our possum lovers, here are a few tips on how to tell the difference between WAs two native possum species.

02.01.2022 Be part of the solution that’s the theme for the International Day of Biodiversity coming up soon on 22 May. And here is a great way to help increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues: Take part in the international BackyardBio campaign and promote and explore the biodiversity of parks and protected areas. It’s an easy, fun and engaging experience to inspire people around the world to learn more, get excited about the natural world and want to take ...action to make a positive difference for conservation. So, here’s what YOU need to do: spend part of the month of May getting outside and exploring your backyard, front yard, neighbourhood, school yard, local parks and conservation areas to find as many different species of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, fungi (you name it!) as you can. Do it with your family, friends or on your own - just look and listen to see what you discover - every minute engaging with the natural world is valuable! Take photos and share them! On Insta and Twitter #backyardbio to add your photos to the worldwide collection.

01.01.2022 Picture this 74 Year 8s test-driving our revamped Bushfire program! After months of hard work innovating our very popular bushfire program, our team recently headed into the field with the people who would decide if they had done a good job students. While the program content has been tweaked, the big change was increasing student engagement, particularly through student-led group work, and to incorporate the use of technology like iPads.... The result: the students were totally into it and the teachers were VERY happy. Good job team!!!! Like the original Bushfire program, the revamped Fire in the Landscape is for Year 7-10 and has a core module about fire in South West WA and a choice of two other modules from these options: Bushfire biology, Fire truck observation, or Plan your response. Visit our website for more information: dbca.wa.gov.au/nearertonature

01.01.2022 Dolphin Defenders . Great day had by all for Dolphin Defenders at Matilda Bay with Quintilian school during the week. The primary school students learn about Swan River history and even got to use scientific equipment to conduct water testing!