About Friends or Catchment Groups

One of the attractions of living in the Shire of Mundaring is the magnificent surrounding bushland. You can contribute directly to the conservation of the natural beauty of our region, by volunteering with one of our Friends or Catchment groups.

Friends and Catchment Groups are volunteers who undertake landcare and bushcare activities to protect and restore natural areas. 

Friends Groups help look after bushland on local nature reserves through planting of native seedlings, weeding and other activities.

Catchment Groups work to improve the health and habitat values of our rivers and waterways. They may work on private property as well as in reserves, if they have particular projects or grant funded assistance for landowners.

Being involved in restoration of bushland has many benefits for personal well-being, strengthening community connections and maintaining our natural heritage for future generations. 

Benefits of joining a group

There are many benefits of joining a Friends or Catchment Group, including:

  • Actively conserving and contributing to the natural environment, both flora and fauna
  • Meeting like-minded people in your area
  • Getting exercise and fresh air
  • Learning about your local environment
  • Free training and advice on bushcare techniques.

Activities undertaken

Activities you can get involved with are:

  • Weed removal
  • Planting native trees and shrubs
  • Rubbish removal
  • Dieback control
  • Protecting and restoring habitat for native species
  • Creekline restoration
  • Erosion control. 

Join a Friends Group

You can contact the Shire's Supervisor of Environment and Horticulture on 9290 6749 to find out if there is a Friends Group near you.  The Shire has also prepared a Friends Group Manual which can help you start your own Friends Group in a local nature reserve.  

Below are links to just some of our Catchment Groups, which also have connections to Friends Groups within their catchment area.  

Starting your own group

The Shire of Mundaring can provide assistance with setting up your own Friends Group or provide contacts to existing groups.

Please contact the Supervisor of Environment and Horticulture on (08) 9290 6749 or email shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au.

Support and advice for Friends Groups

The Shire of Mundaring is committed and proud to support our Friends Groups with access to support, training, expert advice and assistance by contractors and the Shire Landcare team. 

The Friends Group Manual has been developed to provide advice on:

  • Getting a Friends Group started
  • Safety
  • Insurance and Public Liability
  • Bushcare Activities
  • Running your Group
  • Funding
  • Training
  • Key contacts.

Friends Group Manual (PDF)

The Shire also provides recognition, regular talks and workshops, an annual volunteer lunch and regular networking morning teas for Friends Groups.

Friends Group Action Plan

The Shire of Mundaring is committed to working with our community to protect and manage Shire vested reserves across Mundaring using a collaborative approach.

Action Plans can be developed for those reserves in the Shire that have active ‘Friends Groups’ undertaking activities to protect and enhance the natural values of these important areas.

Action Plans can help the group prioritise and focus their efforts and support grant applications for additional funding. They are also useful in recording the work of the group if membership changes over time. 

More information and contacts

For more information, please contact the Supervisor of Environment and Horticulture on (08) 9290 6749 or email shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au.