Diane Mathews (left) coordinates river-care activities with CRREPA, the Canning River Residents Environment Protection Association, formed in 1994. Volunteers test water-quality, collect seeds, propagate plants, remove weeds, undertake revegetation projects, lead informative walks and represent local concerns to Government.

“I became active in environmental matters by putting my hand up and saying ‘I’ll do that’, and then finding out how to do it! The inspiration and generous hearts and minds of the others keeps me going.
Our soils, air and water, and our very special Australian plants and animals cannot be sustainably managed without everyone’s goodwill and active participation.”

Kailis & France has helped the Western Australian rock lobster industry achieve Certification by the Marine Stewardship Council as an ecologically sustainable fishery. George Kailis (right) has also formed a co-operative, ERA, the Environmentally Responsible Agriculture Farming Company, which works with more than 1400 farmers in WA to reduce chemical dependence and maintain yields.

“For too long we have just taken from nature. I’ve long argued in the family fishing business for us to take a long-term, enduring approach to catching and processing fish – a natural resource of the oceans. Organic, low-tech sustainable practices are the solution.
I believe most of our environmental problems stem from a lack of connection to our deeper being. Sustainability is life affirming and brings us back to spiritual realities as well as how we can compete in international business.”

FACTFILE
• Many Western Australian rivers are threatened by increases in salinity, decreases and alterations in flow, algal blooms fuelled by nutrients from catchments and loss of native fringing vegetation.
• Seventy five per cent of the wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain has been lost.
• Western Australia has 12,500 km of coastline and a rich marine life that needs protection.
• Sustainable fisheries management has protected the State’s valuable rock lobster stocks. We need to manage the State’s other fish resources at sustainable levels.