Flora and Fauna
The Shire of Denmark sits in an area of high conservation value due to the amount of endemic species. Our Sustainability Officer and broader team work towards effective management and conservation of biodiversity values, including threatened and endemic flora and fauna found in the Shire's bushland, coastal and foreshore reserves.
On this page:
What We Do
Posted 07 January 2025
Fire Mitigation in the Shire of Denmark
A Message from the Shire President Kingsley Gibson
Posted 03 January 2025
Have Your Say on Future of Mount Hallowell Reserve
A message from the Denmark Shire President Kingsley Gibson
Posted 20 November 2024
Survey Released for Mt Hallowell Reserve Management Plan Review
Have your say online or via hardcopy before Friday 17 January
Posted 18 November 2024
Temporary Fencing Installed at Bird Sanctuary as Migratory Birds Arrive
Fencing installed earlier this month, due to stay in place until April
Posted 15 November 2024
Community Forum: Roadside Vegetation Mapping Report
Community members invited to attend forum to find out more about this project
Posted 31 October 2024
Mt Hallowell Reserve Management Plan Review Set to Begin
Council endorsed project scope, community engagement plan and preferred independent consultant
Posted 22 October 2024
Wilson Inlet Foreshore Revegetation Planting Continues
Successful partnership with Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee continues to grow
Posted 21 October 2024
Birdwatching Kits Available at the Denmark Public Library
Three kits now available to borrow to facilitate a new generation of birdwatchers
Posted 08 August 2024
Updated Weed Strategy Adopted to Guide Actions to Protect Reserves
Shire committed to ongoing protection of native bushland in our reserves from invasive weeds
Posted 26 July 2024
Connection Through Planting for National Trees Day
Shire collaborates with local school to revegetate bushland areas with native species
Flora Conservation
At the Shire of Denmark, we make sure all our major projects (such as recently completed projects like the WOW Trail Stage 2) are subject to flora surveys to ensure we do what we can to minimise vegetation and habitat disturbance. We also have a robust revegetation program to rehabilitate disturbed sites throughout our Shire.
Flora and Fire Ecology
Many native plants of our southern forests have evolved in the presence of fire for thousands of years and have developed adaptations which allow them to continue to exist in fire prone environments. Some plants (eg: Jarrah - Eucalyptus marginata) are able to reshoot from buds on their stems (epicormic buds) or roots (lignotubers), while others hold their seeds in tough woody pods that open in the heat and smoke of a fire. These seeds drop onto a rich ash bed which assists with seedling growth.
The vast majority of the Shire of Denmark is located in a bushfire prone area. More information about flora, fire and ecology, as well as other useful documents and links are available below.
Hazard Reduction Burning (also known as Prescribed Burning) is conducted in reserves managed by the Shire of Denmark and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, on the back of detailed flora and fauna surveys. Hazard Reduction Burns are not common on Shire-managed reserves, but they are a potential tool for us to use as part of our annual Bushfire Mitigation Program to keep our community safe.
Cultural Burning
The Shire is proud to be a part of a collaboration fostering relations between fire management practitioners, Bushfire Brigades, DFES, Noongar Elders, next generation Traditional Custodians and educational institutions working together towards incorporating Noongar traditional burning into contemporary fire management practices.
Snake Necked Turtle Project
Many of the Shire’s wetlands are home to populations of the SNT which are under threat from predators, vehicles and lack of suitable nesting habitat. The Shire has partnered with Murdoch University to participate in a citizen-science project where participants learn about turtles, the latest research,and contribute to critical citizen science using the TurtleSAT app. to help inform future management for snake-necked turtles. A survey was also conducted on one of our local river systems Little River where SNT have been previously sited, to identify whether populations still inhabit the river system.
Owl Friendly Campaign (SGAR)
In March 2021, the Shire of Denmark endorsed the Rodenticide Action Group’s Owl Friendly Denmark Region Campaign’s vision for the Denmark Region as ‘a safe haven for owls and other wildlife from rodenticide poisoning’. Council committed to eliminate second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) where possible within the Shire’s area of responsibility and influence, and support the Rodenticide Action Group’s community engagement activities to educate the community.
The Shire has facilitated a number of community education workshops in 2021 and 2024 in collaboration with the Denmark Environment Centre on raising awareness of the impacts of SGAR on raptors and many other birds and mammals. First generation anticoagulants such as warfarin and coumatetralyl have a higher rate of breakdown so do not persist in the food chain for as long as SGAR. As a result, first generation anticoagulant rodenticides are considered less of a risk to our native predators and pets who may prey upon affected rodents.
Protection of Native Animals
All Australian native animals (including kangaroos, magpies and black cockatoos) are protected under State and Commonwealth law.
No person is able to keep, injure or kill native wildlife without the relevant licence from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
At the Shire of Denmark, we make sure all our major projects are subject to fauna surveys to ensure we do what we can to minimise habitat disturbance. We also have a robust revegetation program to rehabilitate disturbed sites throughout our Shire.
Our work to look after the health of our reserves and waterways, as well as managing invasive species and illegal vegetation clearing goes hand in hand with the protection of animals native to our area.
Concerns and queries about injured wildlife should be directed to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Frankland District Office in Walpole on (08) 9840 0400 or through the DBCA Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055.
Bird Sanctuary
In 2022, the creation of the Bird Sanctuary was endorsed by Council, protecting an area of Prawn Rock Channel in Wilson Inlet for nesting of rare migratory shore birds.
For more information about the Bird Sanctuary, please contact Denmark Bird Group.
Posted 18 November 2024
Temporary Fencing Installed at Bird Sanctuary as Migratory Birds Arrive
Fencing installed earlier this month, due to stay in place until April
Posted 14 July 2022
Bird Sanctuary In Effect From Today, Thursday 14 July
Map, media release and Council Meeting minutes available online
Posted 23 June 2022
Compromise Achieved at Prawn Rock Channel Island
Bird Sanctuary set to be created in Wilson Inlet following extensive consultation
Posted 21 March 2022
Bird Sanctuary Advertised for Public Comment
Community encouraged to share their thoughts about bird sanctuary development
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Related Documents
Flora
Fauna
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Useful Links
Fauna
Flora
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Contact
Our Sustainability Officer can be reached at (08) 9848 0300 or enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au.
Contact information for Bushfire Brigades and Fire Control Officers is available on our Fire and Burning Information page.
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