Sustainably sound: North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources marks 20 years of work in the Great Southern

North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources is gearing up to commemorate two decades of improving sustainability within the region next month. Aiming to support healthy landscapes and prosperous communities, NSPNR has touched many areas throughout the Great Southern in their tenure. The group will showcase their influences on the region and discuss exciting future prospects at their 20-year celebrations on the night of their annual general meeting at Ongerup Town Hall on October 12. NSPNR executive officer Caroline House said the celebrations would be key to acknowledging everyone who has assisted their projects in the past. “The backbone of this group is the volunteers and the people in this community,” Ms House said. “It will be awesome just being able to celebrate all those people and the work they have contributed to our projects over the years.” Although NSPNR is celebrating 20 years of work, Ms House said the history of the group runs far deeper. “The Gnowangerup Land Conservation District Committee had been running since the 80s before they changed to North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources. “So even though we’re 20 this year, we are looking at 40 years of projects in the region. “It ties in well with Landcare’s 40-year celebrations this year since a lot of those LCDC groups have had a large influence on some of the work we do today.” Ms House said most of the large-scale revegetation work was done in years past, so their group’s current focus is targeting marginalised areas to maintain the health of the environment. “In the 80s and 90s and even early 2000s, a lot of high volume rejuvenation projects were completed by the LCDC groups. “Now we are filling in the gaps and doing more specified revegetation. “But it’s key to highlight the bigger volumes of work they have done in the past.” The group has participated in an uncountable amount of projects in the past two decades, but none were bigger than their Pallinup River rejuvenation scheme. “That particular project was three years of water monitoring and specified revegetating the creek to ensure it returned to a healthy state,” Ms House said “Native species were planted throughout the river and the waterways were improved which encapsulates all the work that we do.” While reflecting on the past success, Ms House said they have their sights set on integrating their expertise into the school classroom. “We are creating three different curriculum packages for local schools, which will essentially aim to provide students with knowledge about the importance of a healthy environment. “We will highlight the Stirling Range National Park, our waterways, and the land’s connection to Aboriginal Koreng culture.” “We work closely with local Indigenous groups like the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation and with their knowledge and our resources, we can make our projects a lot better.” NSPNR will also continue to work closely with farmers to maximise the health of the agricultural industry while also maintaining the pristine landscapes of the Great Southern. “Natural resources are not only promoting productive agricultural land, but it includes the bush, rivers and the natural environment,” Ms House said. “Our group aims to basically see that both agriculture and the environment can coexist and get the most value out of both of them.” The AGM will start at 6pm and welcomes all members of the public at a cost of $40, covering dinner with drinks available.