Shire of Merredin Wildflower Excellence Rating Scheme Award

Published in THE PHOENIX Friday, 31st January 2025

By Shire of Merredin

Wildflowers are an iconic feature of Western Australia (WA), attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the state each year. Recognising this, the State Government, through Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) and alongside organisations such as the RAC and local governments, actively promotes the WA wildflower season to potential local, interstate and international holidaymakers using a variety of marketing initiatives.

To support these efforts, the Wildflower Society of Western Australia (WSWA) has introduced the Wildflower Excellence Rating Scheme. This initiative aims to recognise and reward excellence in the conservation, protection, and management of wildflowers to ensure WA continues to attract nature enthusiasts to its best wildflower locations. Local governments participating in the scheme are assessed and awarded star ratings based on the quality and management of wildflower areas, including nature reserves and roadside vegetation under their care.

In July 2024, Eddy Wajon, Project Officer for the WSWA, invited the Shire of Merredin to participate in the newly launched Wildflower Excellence Rating Scheme. This program follows on from the former Wildflower Friendliness Rating Scheme (2019–2020), in which the Shire of Merredin was successfully recognised both years.

The Central Wheatbelt Visitor Centre (CWVC), on behalf of the Shire, enthusiastically undertook the application process. An assessment of the quality of vegetation within natural areas, local reserves, and roadside reserves under the Shire’s management was conducted according to the scheme’s criteria. The submission was supported by an extensive collection of wildflower images captured during the 2024 wildflower season, with additional contributions from the WSWA Merredin Branch. The completed application was submitted in late August 2024.

In early December 2024, the Shire of Merredin was proud to receive recognition as a 4-Star local government under the Wildflower Excellence Rating Scheme. This prestigious rating reflects the Shire’s commitment to preserving and maintaining high-value conservation areas.

As part of this achievement, the WSWA will be providing the Shire with a comprehensive promotional package, including:

  • A plaque and certificate acknowledging and highlighting the excellence of the Shire of Merredin as a leading wildflower local government in retaining and maintaining natural areas, reserves and roadsides with high conservation value.
  • a consignment of locally native tube stock suitable to be planted in the Shire of Merredin’s main town centre or other designated locations.
  • Promotion of the 4-Star rating on the WSWA’s website and Facebook page, which has over 39,000 followers.
  • Notification of the achievement to the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).
  • Regular promotion of the Shire’s wildflower displays during the wildflower season through WSWA’s social media platforms, supported by the Merredin Branch of the Society.
  • Efforts to secure written articles in newspapers and magazines promoting the Shire’s wildflower displays.

The Shire of Merredin is eager to collaborate with the WSWA to coordinate a planting program, selecting appropriate locally native plants from regional nurseries, and designing and placing a plaque in the Merredin Town Centre to commemorate this achievement.

This recognition reflects the Shire of Merredin’s dedication to preserving its natural heritage and promoting itself as a leading wildflower destination in WA.

e-book series – another book in the series is available

The e-book series has been created in response to what has been observed over the years. Many people want to grow native plants but often don’t know where to start as the array of plants in a nursery seems too overwhelming especially when they are known by their Latin botanical names.  Other people are put off growing native plants when the plants they select by looks alone are simply not growing well and never thrive – this is where these books can be so useful.

This series of e-books will make it easier to select plants within different plant groups either by genus such as ‘Grevillea’ or ‘Beaufortia’ or for situations such as ‘Coastal Plants’. This will make it easier to select plants that will be suitable for your garden.  Outlined is the plant’s size and growing conditions so that you will know if the plant you want to grow has a reasonable chance of succeeding in your soil.

The e-books are saved under the GROW tab at the bottom of the right-side panel.

e-book series – another book in the series is available

The e-book series has been created in response to what has been observed over the years. Many people want to grow native plants but often don’t know where to start as the array of plants in a nursery seems too overwhelming especially when they are known by their Latin botanical names.  Other people are put off growing native plants when the plants they select by looks alone are simply not growing well and never thrive – this is where these books can be so useful.

This series of e-books will make it easier to select plants within different plant groups either by genus such as ‘Grevillea’ or ‘Beaufortia’ or for situations such as ‘Coastal Plants’. This will make it easier to select plants that will be suitable for your garden.  Outlined is the plant’s size and growing conditions so that you will know if the plant you want to grow has a reasonable chance of succeeding in your soil.

The e-books are saved under the GROW tab at the bottom of the right-side panel.

February 2025 Newsletter Now Online

The latest newsletter of the Wildflower Society of WA is now available for download for Society Members.  You may download it here.

As the Newsletter is for Members Only, you may need to log in to the Members Only section of the website.  If you have any problems doing this, please email memberships@wildflowersocietywa.org.au for assistance from one of our member volunteers.

Those who receive the hard copy of the newsletter will receive it in the next two weeks.

Those who also subscribe to Australian Plants should also receive the latest issue.

e-book series – second group of two books available

The e-book series has been created in response to what has been observed over the years. Many people want to grow native plants but often don’t know where to start as the array of plants in a nursery seems too overwhelming especially when they are known by their Latin botanical names.  Other people are put off growing native plants when the plants they select by looks alone are simply not growing well and never thrive – this is where these books can be so useful.

This series of e-books will make it easier to select plants within different plant groups either by genus such as ‘Grevillea’ or ‘Beaufortia’ or for situations such as ‘Coastal Plants’. This will make it easier to select plants that will be suitable for your garden.  Outlined is the plant’s size and growing conditions so that you will know if the plant you want to grow has a reasonable chance of succeeding in your soil.

The e-books are saved under the GROW tab at the bottom of the right-side panel.

e-book series – first two books available

The e-book series has been created in response to what has been observed over the years. Many people want to grow native plants but often don’t know where to start as the array of plants in a nursery seems too overwhelming especially when they are known by their Latin botanical names.  Other people are put off growing native plants when the plants they select by looks alone are simply not growing well and never thrive – this is where these books can be so useful.

This series of e-books will make it easier to select plants within different plant groups either by genus such as ‘Grevillea’ or ‘Beaufortia’ or for situations such as ‘Coastal Plants’. This will make it easier to select plants that will be suitable for your garden.  Outlined is the plant’s size and growing conditions so that you will know if the plant you want to grow has a reasonable chance of succeeding in your soil.

The e-books are under the GROW tab at the bottom of the right side panel.

Defend WA’s Nature – 9 Days of Action

The Wildflower Society of WA Inc. is joining forces with the Conservation Council of WA and other environmental groups to Defend WA’s Nature with a series of events starting on the 25th July that leads to action at Parliament House in August.

WA’s nature is in crisis. After enduring the hottest, driest summer on record, our ecosystems are collapsing and wildlife populations are plummeting.

The South West of WA, a global biodiversity hotspot, faces the highest threat and loss of biodiversity in the nation due to rampant deforestation. Alarmingly, 300 species are at extreme or high risk of extinction in our state.

At the same time, fossil fuel expansion and habitat destruction from industrialisation threatens precious ecosystems both offshore and onshore, pushing our wildlife to the brink.

MPs return to Parliament on August 6 and are poised to introduce nature reform laws to Parliament.

We would like to see you there to show support for the protection of our environment!

Check out the events listed on our website or on Facebook via the links below and find out how you can get involved.

Defend WA’s Nature – Parliament Action

Defend WA’s Nature – Forests Action

Defend WA’s Nature – Wetlands Action

Defend WA’s Nature – Reefs Action

Webinar Notification List

Sign up to be on our email list for our webinar series where you can be the first to be notified about our next webinar!

Webinar Notify List

Webinar Notify List

First
Last
Are you a current member?