Environment centre to celebrate biodiversity

From frogs, bats and reptiles, to birds, fish and penguins — Rockingham’s diverse ecosystem deserves to be celebrated, according to staff at Rockingham Regional Environment Centre Naragebup.

It will be a hive of activity at the Safety Bay centre this month, as staff celebrate National Biodiversity month, through continuing their dedication to educating the community about local environmental issues.

Centre chairwoman Pauline Whitehead said the area surrounding the centre, including the freshwater Lake Richmond, was rich with interesting and ecologically important flora and fauna.

“Children love our monthly frog walks — they have seen all kinds of things when walking around the lake,” she said.

“Some even claim to have seen ghosts, sharks and all kinds of things.

“It’s an excellent way to teach children to care for and respect the environment.”

Manager Rich Bader said staff at the 11-year-old centre taught school children about the importance of Lake Richmond’s thrombolites — scientifically significant living rocks — as well as solar energy, bush tucker and much more.

“We have fish, snakes, bobtails, and other reptiles here at the centre, which help children understand what is out there,” he said.

“Tiger snakes and dugites make their home around Lake Richmond, but it’s rare to see them — they will generally stay out of people’s way.”