Calendar of Free Activities

Unless otherwise stated, these activities are free for everyone thanks to the generosity of our funders, volunteers, partners & friends.
Please share our events on Facebook. Also, please consider becoming a member of MEHG for only $10 a year. Active members can seek reimbursement for personal equipment, training, expenses and Working with Children cards, subject to funding.
Do you have a free environmental activity that you would like posted here? Or are you interested in becoming a volunteer to help us with our activities? All enquiries to info@mehg.org.au


July 2024
SEEDLING GIVEAWAY MONTH
Each week in July, the City of Mandurah will be at a different location handing out free seedlings to help green our community. Learn about native plants and get tips on how to care for your new seedlings. This is a great prelude to the National Tree Planting Day event on July 28th.
👉 Tuesday 2 July: City of Mandurah Administration Building, 3 Peel Street, Mandurah
👉 Tuesday 9 July: Lakelands Library
👉 Tuesday 16 July: Mandurah Library
👉 Tuesday 23 July: Falcon Library
Seedlings are limited to 1-2 per person. Don’t worry if you miss out, there will be another seedling giveaway as well planting, education and activities at the National Tree Day event on 28 July.


Sunday 21st July 2024 at 5.00pm
SUNDOWNER WITH BOUVARD COAST CARE GROUP
Come along to Café Coast and enjoy an informal drink and chat with the BCCG members.
👉 Discussion Topic: Green Waste – Forthcoming Verge Raid!
👉 For more info please email brushing@bouvardcoastcare.org


Thursday 25th July 2024 · 12.00pm – 1.30pm
AI and EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION – WEBINAR
This Tech for Nature webinar on Microsoft Teams by the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute features an expert international panel working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biodiversity conservation and will include examples of how technology is unlocking solutions to help optimise conservation efforts, from planning and monitoring, to species and habitat protection, to predicting extinction risk.
Find out more.


Friday 26th July 2024 at 8.30am
BIRD WATCHING OUTING
The next Mandurah Bird Observers Group outing will be to St Ives Peninsula Reserve, 22 Carnegie Place, Greenfields 6210.
👉 BYO: Morning tea, binoculars, camera, drinking water, insect repellent and suitable footwear/clothing.
👉 RSVP: Bill King on 9534 9913 or at newbill1338@outlook.com
👉 Meeting Point: Park in the visitors’ carpark and enter the clubhouse via the side door to register your attendance before 8.30am.
This group visits the beautiful waterways and bush areas in and around Mandurah to observe what species of birds are in the area. They record the species identified and report their findings to Birdlife Australia.
They have been bringing bird lovers together for over 30 years and normally have outings on the 4th Friday of each month.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about our wonderful bird life and how to identify birds.
There are over 120 species of birds in the Peel Region, and numbers increase during the migratory season.
View the Mandurah Bird Observers Group program for 2024 (subject to change).


Friday 26th July 2024 at 6.30pm
FIRE AND FORESTS
Find out about the latest independent research regarding the pros and cons of prescribed burning, and the effect it is having on our ecosystems.
PhD candidates Ana Carvalho and Kuenzang Tshering from Edith Cowan University will discuss the relationship between fire frequency and severity in forests, the impact on critical water catchments, and implications for the prescribed burning regime.
This free discussion hosted by the WA Forest Alliance is available online via Zoom or in person at City West Lotteries House, West Perth.
Find out more and book your free place.
👉  Learn more about prescribed burning and the relationship between fire and forests.
👉  Sign the petition.
👉  Download a printable version of the petition to collect signatures from your networks.


Saturday 27th July 2024 · 10.00am – 12.00pm
AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES WORKSHOP
Mandurah Community Gardens are hosting a free workshop featuring John Draper from Harvest Me.
Discover the amazing world of Australian native bees and how you can create a wildlife friendly garden.
Location: Mandurah Community Gardens, Coodanup Drive, Coodanup 6210.
Bookings: https://forms.gle/cJ4uDGoTscioMwop6


Sunday 28th July 2024 · 9.00am – 11.00am
FRIENDS OF SAMPHIRE COVE NATURE RESERVE
The Friends of Samphire Cove meet on the last Sunday of each month and mid-month as well to carry out flora and fauna rehabilitation and to tidy up this special waterside A Class reserve on the corner of Wedgetail Retreat and Egret Point Road, Halls Head.
Jobs for July include planting, mulching, weeding, sweeping paths, picking up rubbish and watering the new plants in.
If you would like to join in, please bring gloves, drinking water, insect repellent, hand sanitiser and your favourite tools/equipment, e.g. digging implement, shovel, weeding tool, leaf rake, watering can.
The Friends will stop for BYO morning tea and a catch-up at the Information Shelter at 10.30am.
Visit the Friends of Samphire Cove on Facebook for all the latest news.


Sunday 28th July 2024 · 9.00am – 12.00pm
NATIONAL TREE DAY
Come together for a morning full of community spirit, environmental activities and family fun at Janis Street Reserve in Halls Head. There will be a major seedling giveaway sponsored by Men of the Trees, so plant a seedling on the day and also take some home for your garden!
National Tree Day is a great chance to connect with groups and initiatives to care for the environment all year round. Get your hands in the soil and learn tips for good planting.
👉 Learn about the wonder of our native plants and planting at home.
👉 Help build a city that is beautiful, stays cool and healthy, and supports our wildlife.
👉 Engage in environmental activities for all ages, and informative stalls about local wildlife, including ringtail possums and Carnaby’s cockatoos.
👉 Enjoy a free BBQ and subsidised coffee van (bring your own cup for $1 off your coffee!)
Find out more.


Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th August 2024 at 10.00am 
BRUSH COLLECTION & DELIVERY
The Bouvard Coast Care Group is looking for strong and fit participants for this event which takes place over 2 mornings over a weekend. Participants welcome for either or both days. Wear long trousers, closed in shoes and gloves. Sausage sizzle at lunchtime on both days. What is brushing?
👉 Meeting point: Melros Beach Carpark
👉 More information: Please email brushing@bouvardcoastcare.org


Sunday 4th August 2024 · 8.00am – 12.00pm
COMMUNITY CHAT SERIES
Come along and join your local councillors for a coffee and informal chat.
They’d love to hear your ideas for our community and anything else you’d like to share about Mandurah.
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and stay informed about local initiatives and services that impact the environment you live in.
The coffee van will be on site and coffee vouchers will be ready for you to claim for your morning brew.
They’ll also have some native plants to give away.
👉 Location: Peel Produce Market, McLennan Park, Madora Bay 6210
👉 Parking: Madora Bay Beach Car Park in Sabina Drive


Sunday 11th August 2024 · 9.00am – 11.00am
FRIENDS OF SAMPHIRE COVE NATURE RESERVE
The Friends of Samphire Cove meet on the last Sunday of each month and mid-month as well to carry out flora and fauna rehabilitation and to tidy up this special waterside A Class reserve on the corner of Wedgetail Retreat and Egret Point Road, Halls Head.
Jobs for August include planting, mulching, weeding, sweeping paths, picking up rubbish and watering the new plants in.
If you would like to join in, please bring gloves, drinking water, insect repellent, hand sanitiser and your favourite tools/equipment, e.g. digging implement, shovel, weeding tool, leaf rake, watering can.
The Friends will stop for BYO morning tea and a catch-up at the Information Shelter at 10.30am.
Visit the Friends of Samphire Cove on Facebook for all the latest news.


Thursday 15th August 2024 · 5.00pm – 7.00pm
MANDURAH ENVIRONMENT & HERITAGE GROUP COMMITTEE MEETING

MEHG members and supporters are invited to our monthly meetings which are held on the third Thursday of the month at 5.00pm. Enormous thanks to Peel-Harvey Catchment Council for allowing us to meet in their state-of-the art shed at the rear of their premises at 58 Sutton Street, Mandurah.
Not a member yet? Join MEHG or renew your membership here.


Thursday 15th August 2024 · 6.30pm – 7.30pm
AN EVENING WITH FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER TANYA PLIBERSEK
The theme for this online event on Zoom is Strengthening Our Nature Laws, as weak environmental laws are allowing land clearing of threatened communities, bauxite mines in precious jarrah forests, coal mines in koala habitats, and logging that kills gliders.
With enough support, there is a real opportunity to win stronger laws and a robust Federal EPA to protect our unique wildlife.
RSVP now to receive the Zoom link.

Whether or not you cannot attend this event, you can send a message to Minister Tanya Plibersek at www.defendwanature.org.au
Use the template provided, and add extra comments if desired.
Your message will also be sent to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, WA Premier Roger Cook and WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby.


Saturday 12th October 2024 · 8.30am – 12.30pm
WONDERS OF OUR WETLANDS FESTIVAL
This annual family-friendly festival celebrates the beauty and importance of our local waterways, which make up the internationally recognised Peel-Yalgorup System, known as Ramsar Site 482.
👉 Includes: Educational activities, market stalls, food vendors, live music, entertainment, “dogs’ breakfast” and more.
👉 Location: Coodanup Foreshore Reserve, Mandurah (near the Giant)
Find out more.


Every Friday · 10.00am – 10.45am
NATURE PLAY TIME at LAKELANDS LIBRARY
Fun for kids with activities, games and story-time designed to inspire wonder and curiosity about the natural world and introduce young minds to nature’s beauty and diversity, nurturing a deep love for the great outdoors.
Enjoy craft activities using resources from the natural environment, encouraging creativity while connecting with nature’s elements.
Learn about the importance of protecting and preserving our world, instilling a sense of appreciation and responsibility towards cherishing our planet’s wellbeing.
Find out more.


Fridays & Saturdays · 11.00am – 12.00pm · Summer months only
GUIDED HERITAGE WALK OF MANDURAH
Discover the City’s history with a free foreshore heritage walking tour. This leisurely one hour walk starts and finishes at Mandurah Museum.
The Foreshore Heritage Tour provides information on the history of Mandurah’s pioneer settlers and an accurate portrayal of life as it once was. The informative narration showcases the past, the present, Mandurah’s indigenous cultural history, places of interest, pioneer families, their homes and their stories, community art installations and much more.
Bookings are required. Phone (08) 9550 3682.
Find out more.


PADDLING UP THE RIVER
We will be combining paddling with wildlife observation and learning about riverine habitat in conjunction with Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah & Pinjarra and Friends of Rivers, Peel.
Suitable for beginners. Free hire of life jackets available (available in various sizes).
Register your interest by emailing info@mehg.org.au


BIRD WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS with ROBYN DEVENISH
Coming soon to a nature reserve near you. Small-group activity.
Binoculars provided courtesy of City of Mandurah community grants.
These tailor-made walks are free of charge, but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end if you enjoyed it.
Register your interest by emailing info@mehg.org.au


MAKE A FAIRY TERN CHICK SHELTER
In conjunction with your local Men’s Shed. Register your interest as a participant or a partner: info@mehg.org.au
Download this PDF for more information about fairy terns.


MORE FREE ACTIVITIES including STUFF FOR KIDS
👉 Free Eco Events between Mandurah & Perth with Switch Your Thinking
👉 More Free Events on the Sustainable Mandurah Facebook page
👉 Visit Nature Link’s Backyard Biodiversity Blitz
👉 Bring Nature Home and Rewild Your Garden 
👉 Visit Mandurah Community Gardens on Sat mornings & Tues afternoons
👉 Don’t bin it! Get your broken things fixed at Lakelands Repair Café.
👉 Report a Bat Roost near you or email bats@mehg.org
👉 Use the MyPestGuide to report pests and diseases.
👉 Record pest animal activity in your local area.
👉 Learn how to properly Recycle in Mandurah
👉 Find out more disposal options in Mandurah
👉 Learn 10 Easy Ways to save water in the home
👉 Adopt a Spot to keep it litter free
👉 Form or join an Embrace A Space group at your local reserve or park
👉 Free Online Training for Volunteers @ Volunteering WA
👉 Read the latest Bushland News from Parks and Wildlife
👉 Read the latest news from the WA Landcare Network


ON HOLD
The interactive citizen science workshop about the Black Bream Project in the Peel-Harvey Waterways is on hold. In the meantime, here is a condensed version for you, including an eleven-minute video: recfishwest.org.au/news/filling-the-peel-harvey-estuary-to-the-bream-with-the-important-fish-species


ABOUT
This webpage was created upon the receipt of a Restart Mandurah Grant from the City of Mandurah to provide free or very low-cost Covid-safe activities after the lockdown. Our 14-month activity program was entitled (Re)Connect With Nature and Learn Something New.


THANK YOU to our partners and sponsors.
MEHG is a member of the Mandurah Environmental Volunteer Alliance which supports many projects in our community and enhances volunteer capacity.
MEHG welcomes Polly Hammond who is the new Environment Engagement Officer.