Coastcare and conservation

Don Poynton is a local environmental leader and has been volunteering in the City for 24 years across a number of different environmental community groups to conserve and restore the coastline and natural areas (Image Credit: Dee Farrell).

Local action on the coast

As Coordinator of Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore (FONORIF), Don has helped oversee the weeding and planting of native plants in the Iluka Foreshore Reserve, part of Bush Forever site 325. The group also helps educate the community about the environment by installing signage, running guided walks and more recently holding events and displays.

FONORIF was formed out of the Joondalup Community Coast Care Forum Inc (JCCCF), an umbrella organisation for several of the City’s coast care groups, which started in 1999 to represent the many interests along the coast. The local group was created when Ocean Reef resident Dr Marjorie Apthorpe and a few like-minded residents from adjacent suburbs came together to look after part of the coastal reserve between Ocean Reef and Burns Beach.

Don is currently the Chair of the JCCCF which now acts as a community reference group for monitoring issues and initiating action along the City’s coastal strip.

Since 2014, Don has also been volunteering with Friends of Carnaby Reserve to undertake restoration projects in Carnaby Reserve (formerly Medinah Park) with the help of the City’s Natural Areas Team. He is also the Chairman of the Northern Suburbs Branch of the WA Naturalists’ Club and was the Treasurer of the Friends of Marmion Marine Park for many years.

In 2022, Don received a special commendation in the Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence for championing the natural environment and its importance to the community, providing leadership and advocacy, and encouraging community participation in coast care activities.

Why volunteer?

Don said that he is motivated to volunteer in these groups because he cares about the local amenity and biodiversity and enjoys working outside.

“I hate seeing weeds in public places! I love being outdoors. I like working in the best ‘open-plan’ office in the world! I appreciate the diversity that exists at Iluka and want to ensure it is maintained and if possible increased,” says Don.

He also enjoys learning and knowledge sharing and working with the other volunteers saying that:

“I find there is always something new to discover or learn. I like to impart what knowledge I have, to others who are interested. I enjoy the company of the people I volunteer with.”

The coastal bushland offers a range of unique and beautiful local species that you can appreciate across the different seasons says Don.

“There are so many beautiful and fascinating species of plants, fungi, birds and insects, it’s impossible to have a favourite. Winter brings out the cup fungi and the tiny earthstars. In Spring the male fairy wrens show off their colours and iridescent blue-green jewel beetles can be found crawling over the yellow buttercups.”

Tackling local environmental issues

Through Don’s volunteer work with FONORIF he tackles­ a range of environmental issues. These include feral species control of feral and domestic cats and foxes, weed species including the One-leaf Cape Tulip, Wild Pink Gladiolus and Veldt Grass, and the destruction of native vegetation and sand dunes through unauthorised entry to the coast.

Changes on the ground

There have been many positive changes to the local environment as a result of FONORIF’s work explains Don.

“Many areas within the 30 hectares looked after by FONORIF have been rehabilitated since the group began. These include areas around the Iluka Foreshore Park to areas not seen by or accessible to the public.”

Don is also proud of the group’s Iluka Foreshore Macroinvertebrate and Herpetofauna Survey, partially funded by the City’s Community Funding Program, run over 3 years that recorded more than 550 macroinvertebrate and 14 reptile species.

More recently, Don helped to organise a Free Family Discovery Morning to educate the community about the diversity of local flora and fauna and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. Around 500 members of the community attended the event throughout the day and participated in guided beach, bird, biodiversity and bush tucker walks and learnt more about the local environment through environmental displays. The event was funded through one of the City’s Community Funding Program grants, a donation from the Iluka Homeowners Association and FONORIF.

You can play a role

FONORIF and other Friends Groups play an important role in local environmental management and work closely with the City’s Natural Areas Team explains Don.

“Friends Groups can become the eyes and ears of the environment. As we spend all our time involved in on-ground work, we become more aware of issues that arise in our own patches e.g. an outbreak of a priority weed in a patch of bush that would not be visited by Natural Areas staff.”

Don said community members can help take action in their local environment by starting a Friends Group or joining an existing group.

“The City has over one hundred natural areas but less than twenty have Friends Groups. It would be great to see this number increase but if people would like to help but are not willing to start a group they should join an existing group.”

Getting more young people involved in the Friends Groups is also important said Don.

“It is noticeable that nearly all the existing volunteers fall into the “seniors” category and that very few young people are involved. The groups and the City need to promote the natural areas so people understand how important it is to look after them, not just for biodiversity but for their education and lifestyle, including mental health, values.”

How can I get involved?

The Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore and Friends of Carnaby Reserve are always looking for volunteers and members to join in their regular activities. To volunteer in these groups contact:

Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore via email or Facebook.  

Friends of Carnaby Reserve:  via email. 

The City also has seventeen other Friends Groups you can volunteer with. For more information and contact details visit the City’s Friends Group page.