Over the past year landholders have helped protect and revegetate more than 4 million hectares of land in Western Australia. That’s almost 9000 individuals and nearly 700 groups, who have worked closely with the State’s six regional natural resource management groups. These six NRM groups are now celebrating their achievements in conjunction with World Environment Day (5th June), and are asking people to find out what’s happening in their backyard. The six regions are encouraging everyday people to take a closer look at natural resource management in their backyard, from houses to farms, rivers, bush land, desert and the coast. By working in partnership with other community groups, state agencies, supporting farmers and industry and investing government funds, the regions have helped to protect, revegetate and restore more than 4 million hectares of land across the state – that’s a big backyard! Some of these NRM managed projects include: * The Wheatbelt NRM using motion sensor cameras to help discover rare and protected wildlife in the region. * The Perth Region NRM planting more than one million plants, fencing 300 kilometres of riverbank and removing 200 hectares of weeds along the Swan River. * The Rangelands NRM West Kimberley Nature Project helping to sustainably manage wildfires and weeds threatening the Peninsula Monsoon Vine Thickets and wetlands. * The South West Catchment Council protecting four Ramsar wetlands of international significance including the Peel Yalgorup, Vasse Wonnerup, Lake Toolibin and Lake Muir. * The South Coast NRM protecting and revegetating the Ramsar wetlands of international significance Lake Warden and Lake Gore, home to the rare Hooded Plover and the Recherche’ Cape Barren Goose. * The Northern Agricultural Catchment Council protecting habitat for more than 50 EPBC threatened species and working with 200 farmers to improve soil condition and adapt to climate change. Most of these projects have come about with the help of everyday people working closely with their local NRM group. The majority of funding comes from the Commonwealth government’s Caring for our Country program. As part of World Environment Day, the six WA NRM groups will join with their 50 counterparts across Australia to raise the awareness of natural resource management. Media contact: Taryn Beagley, Wheatbelt NRM, 9690 2250