Banksia Woodland ecosystems are unique and important places that need to be protected.

Natural vegetation areas provide food, shelter and protection for many plants and animals. These areas also have non-living elements, such as light, air, soil, temperature, water, nutrients and rocks. Plants and animals constantly interact with both living and non-living things and depend on them for survival. All these elements combined are referred to as an ecosystem.

If one small part of an ecosystem is damaged or disappears, all the living elements living in that ecosystem are affected.

The South West of Western Australia is listed as a biodiversity hotspot. In 1988, Norman Myers identified two strict criteria in classifying a biodiversity hotspot: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics and have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation.


Knowledge

Meet Dr Alison Ritchie, a Research Scientist in Restoration Ecology and Conservation Genetics, here at Kings Park Science. Her current project aims to develop and implement innovative seed enhancement technologies, such as seed coating and extruded pelleting, to overcome barriers to native plant establishment for the ecological restoration of an international biodiversity hotspot.

Watch 'Restoration Ecology' video on YouTube

To find out about other issues affecting the environment and actions being taken in Australia, head to Australian Conservation Foundation website.


Action

Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)View image slideshow

You can do it!

In the 1960s, rainbow lorikeets were introduced to Perth. There are now thousands of them. The feral rainbow lorikeets are aggressive around nesting hollows, preventing native birds from nesting in their tree hollows.

Mission

Create plans to make a nesting box for a native bird using easy to find materials. Consider what materials you would use, how you will build it and where you will install the nesting box.

Record your steps and take note of changes you make to your plan during construction.

Email us photos of your nesting box via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We would love to see your creations.


Citizen

With your new skills and knowledge visit a site near your school to participate in a citizen science program.

ClimateWatch Australia - Citizen Science App

Look out for the Great Cocky Count, an annual census of black cockatoos in the South West of WA. It has taken place for the last decade in early April. The data is essential for planning for the protection of these vulnerable species.


Cultural

Watch this short movie presented by Kings Park Education Officer Rickeeta Walley. Rickeeta is a proud Whadjuk Noongar yok (woman) with connections to seven of the 14 Noongar nations. She has a passion for Aboriginal language preservation and education.

Watch 'Ngalang Boodja' video on YouTube


Connection

We would love to hear from you and your class. Share your photos and findings with us via social media using the hashtag #STEMActionInKingsPark.

If your students have any questions email us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

View our other Primary School Bites activities and check out the other education programs we run here in Kings Park.

Red-capped parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius) is native to southwest Western Australia. Carnaby's black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). Red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii). Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla).

Mounts Bay Road share path detours

The City of Perth will be undergoing works on the shared path along Mounts Bay Road from Thursday 23 March until Monday 8 May 2023. Detours through Kings Park will be in place.

School Ball parking

Temporary parking on Fraser Avenue will not be provided for buses, limos and cars, and fines will apply.

Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responding to the confirmed detection of an exotic beetle, the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) in the Perth metropolitan area.

Read all notices ...

City of Perth E-Scooter Trial Expands through Kings Park

Visitors will be able to hire and ride e-scooters within Kings Park as part of City of Perth’s E-scooter Share Scheme from Saturday 25 March 2023.

Support for Noongar Boodja continues

Fugro has generously renewed their partnership with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) to bring another three years of the very popular ‘Noongar Boodja’ education program to Kings Park.

Rare plants stolen from Kings Park

We're devastated to announce up to 900 of WA’s rarest orchids have been stolen from the Conservation Garden in Kings Park.

Read all news ...

Read about weather and warnings ...

All events …