Esperance Regional Forum Inc. currently oversees and supports several projects and activities:

Protection of Lake Warden & Lake Gore Project

Lake Warden and Lake Gore are two internationally recognised, Ramsar listed wetlands situated in the Esperance region. Both lakes have significant values that face a range of threats including:

•    Land management practices;

•    Erosion and sedimentation;

•    Eutrophication and poor water quality;

•    Invasive species;

•    Altered hydrology; and

•    Lack of community understanding.

Both projects for the protection of the Ramsar Values of Lake Warden and Lake Gore were developed to reduce the harmful effects that excess water in the wetland’s lakes were having on the natural flora & fauna in the area. Rising water levels, as a result of excessive native vegetation land clearing in the catchments has meant that shorelines that were once present for wading birds to live, mate, feed and flourish are no longer available. The wetlands provide important habitat that regularly supports 20,000 water birds and nearly 30 different species. Some of these water birds are rare and endangered; some migrate halfway around the world while others are permanent residents.

ERF’s Project Officers have been actively involved in advising and coordinating landholders, both large and small, within the catchment (through property planning workshops, field days, research participation), on how to better utilise the water on their properties so as to prevent it from entering the already overflowing lakes. ERF has attracted millions of dollars worth of incentive funding over the years to help with on-farm works, such as fencing off remnant vegetation; planting perennial pastures and trees (that will better utilise excess water); weed control; and improving the overall health of soils in the area. 

Stokes Inlet Project

ERF’s third major project focuses on the Stokes Inlet and its catchments which lies west of Esperance. It is highlighted for management given its high community values.  The Stokes Inlet is known as Benwenerup by the Traditional Custodians and some of its important values identified include the ease of access, fishing, camping and the beauty of the area and its serenity. 

The key goal is to protect the values of this landscape, which encompasses environmental, social, economic and cultural values.

This project is addressing targets that improve soil management methods, increase uptake of natural resource management and reduce weeds of national significance (bridal creeper).  For more information contact  Project Officer, Claudia Magana.

Within all of ERF’s projects, the team works closely with landholders and various stakeholders to ensure all understand the importance of these catchments and why it’s necessary to secure its sustainable future. ERF supports, initiates, and educates land management practices that are environmentally sustainable and provide long term social and economic community advancement and benefit.

Community Activities

Thanks to the 2009 Regional Communty Engagement Project ERF was given the oppurtunity to support many different activties and information workshops for people in the Esperance region. It has been working to engage members of the community, not historically engaged in local NRM issues. Activities included recording participant numbers, and develop levels of practice changes E.g. Sustainable Living Workshops, Gardening workshops, schools involvement, surveys etc.