
What we’re about
Are you into natural history? We do lots of bird watching, wildflower walks, bushwalking, beachcombing, fungi forays, and learning about ecology. This Meetup is run in conjunction to the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club, one of the longest established conservation and natural history groups in Australia. As such the events are attended by many club members who are not in the Meetup, so don't worry if event numbers look low.
The club is a lively organisation that caters for all environmentally conscious members of the community. It's a well respected group catering to a wide range of interests, from amateur to professional. All branches of natural history and conservation are covered in a full program of meetings, excursions, workshops and occasional social events. These include bird watching, botany, spotlighting, fossicking for fossils and fungi, observing habitats from forests to reefs, some geology as well as learning more about environmental issues in Western Australia such as soil salinity, introduced flora and fauna and land degradation.
In addition to the main/central club, there are three branches in the eastern, northern and southern suburbs. Also, there are some special interest groups: eg bushwalking, fungi. Activities are held for under-18s, too.
New members are encouraged to come to some events, then join the Club if it offers what you're after. Attend as many talks as you like and sample a few excursions, but if you want to come on regular excursions we'd prefer that you join, for insurance purposes. But no one will pressure you! Annual fees are very reasonable, see our website: Western Australian Naturalists' Club Inc.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Dragonfly biodiversity and wetland restorationHew Roberts Lecture Theatre, Nedlands
Dragonflies (Odonata) are some of the most aesthetically pleasing and most loved wetland insects, yet we know very little about the ecology or biology of Australian species. There are more than 40 species found in southwestern Australia, of which nearly half are endemic species, and there are also endemic genera.
This presentation by Associate Professor Belinda Robson (Murdoch Uni) will describe the southwest fauna and dragonfly and damselfly life cycles and report on recent research to understand patterns of species diversity in urban (Perth) wetlands to identify the qualities of wetlands needed to maximise their diversity.
Belinda has been working on the effects of climate change on biodiversity, especially the effects of climatic drying and is working on new ways to manage ecosystems to sustain freshwater biodiversity as the climate continues to dry.The main presentation will be followed by a short focus talk from our Vice President on the post- bushfire ecological recovery of Kangaroo Island, SA.
We will also look at any specimens that have been brought along.
After this you are welcome to join us for tea/coffee and conversation.
All are welcome to attend, with a donation of $3 for Club members or $5 for non-members giving you a chance to win the door prize (EFTPOS available).Doors open at 7.10pm and the meeting begins at 7.30pm at the Hew Roberts Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia.
Parking is free and available in car parks near the Gordon St or Clifton St entrances to the campus.
Image: Scarlet Percher (iNaturalist) copyright Ged Tranter, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/