Policies and Objectives

Our Policies

Position Paper: Prescribed burning and the sustainable management of ecosystems in Western Australia

This Position Paper is relevant to south-western Western Australia including the Swan Coastal Plain, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, Goldfields and adjacent regions. Western Australia’s arid lands and the Kimberley are not considered here, as these areas have very different fire ecologies, issues and challenges. The WSWA recognises that fire is an integral part of the landscape and environment of Western Australia, has been present, at varying frequencies, intensities, seasons and extent for a very long time, and is an important tool for managing the incidence, extent and severity of wildfire and the health and integrity of natural ecosystems. The WSWA is concerned that Prescribed burning as currently used in south-western Western Australia is too blunt an instrument for the management of wildfire and protection of human and environmental assets.

Position Statement on Renewable Energy and Native Vegetation

As detailed in this Position Statement, the Society is opposed to the clearing of native vegetation for the purpose of constructing and operating renewable energy facilities, such as wind and solar farms, dams and bioenergy plants, and their attendant infrastructure including power transmission lines.

Position Statement on Mountain Bike Trails

In Western Australia, the Conservation Estate is a collective term which includes national parks, conservation parks and nature reserves. These reserves contain the State’s most significant natural and cultural heritage assets.  Mountain bike riding is of growing popularity and as a consequence, the WSWA is concerned that mountain bike trails when established in native vegetation in the Conservation Estate cause a number of unacceptable environmental, social and cultural impacts.

Position Statement on Native Vegetation

As you will see in this Position Statement, the Society calls on the Western Australian Parliament to halt the continuing over-clearing of native vegetation in the southwest of Western Australia.

Principles of Flora Conservation

The Wildflower Society of WA believes that the conservation of our remaining bushland heritage is of paramount importance. The philosophy of conservation of the beautiful and unique wildflowers of the West is encapsulated in these ten principles of flora conservation. They were officially adopted by the Society at its 1991 State Conference with minor changes since. These principles remain as relevant today as they did in 1991.  Download here.

Environmental Offsets Policy

The Wildflower Society of WA is concerned at public policy attempts to use environmental offset conditions in development approvals to implement “no net loss” principle and “net environmental benefit” goal biodiversity outcomes. The Society considers the clearing of native vegetation communities can only result in a ‘net loss’ of biodiversity conservation in our State that cannot be replicated through rehabilitation or revegetation offsets. The Society does not consider it possible to fully re-establish specific ecosystems due to their complexity and diversity. Download here.

Revegetation Policy (including Seed Collecting and Usage)

The Wildflower Society of WA believes that the natural WA landscape is a valuable asset worth of protection and conservation.  The aim of this policy is to provide a set of standards and guidelines to encourage the preservation and regeneration of indigenous vegetation.  Download here.

Use of Native Flora for Ceremonial Occasions

The Wildflower Society of WA provides the following policy for all government organizations in Australia – federal, state and local – for the use of WA flora for those official occasions where a floral tribute is deemed appropriate. These guidelines have been informed by those established by the then Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP), now Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) – ANSP(A) – for the bouquets for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Download here.

Covid-19 Policy Update 27 April 2022

In line with the latest Government announcement all COVID restrictions at all premises occupied by WSWA and its branches will be lifted from 12:01 AM Friday 29th April.

If anyone has any COVID or flu like symptoms and other like illnesses, they should not come to Society or Branch activities.

However, whilst no longer a requirement the wearing of masks is strongly encouraged.

Our Objectives

The Objects of the Wildflower Society of WA are:

(a) To encourage the conservation and preservation of Western Australian flora by, among other things, supporting efforts to strengthen laws and regulations for the conservation of Western Australian flora, encouraging enforcement of laws and regulations and making submissions on the preservation of Western Australian flora to government and other organisations.

(b) To raise public awareness about the value of, and need to conserve, bushland.

(c) The Society will establish and maintain a public fund to be called The Wildflower Society Bushland Conservation Fund for the specific purpose of supporting the environmental objects/purposes of the Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.). The Fund is established to receive all gifts of money or property for this purpose and any money received because of such gifts must be credited to its bank account. The Fund must not receive any other money or property into its account and it must comply with subdivision 30-E of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

(d) To promote the cultivation of Western Australian flora in home gardens and public areas.

(e) To promote the study of Western Australian flora and to keep records of information on growing methods and the performance of such plants under cultivation.

(f) To support the establishment and operation of Branches within the state of Western Australia.