Western Australia by nature Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:50:04 -0500 https://waparkswildlife.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Western Australia by nature yes 54466f03-1acf-51e6-9522-9ccdbeba82a3 Parks and Wildlife Service episodic false Talking science, outdoors, nature and animals with scientists, conservationists and nature advocates in Western Australia

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Parks and Wildlife Service https://storage.buzzsprout.com/m5fbvqrfbf9rwiigxn1kghg8qpf5?.jpg Western Australia by nature LANDSCOPE So many turtles, so little time LANDSCOPE So many turtles, so little time Western Australia is home to six out of the seven species of marine turtles in the world. Our shores become safe havens for them to nest and lay their eggs, including along the stunning Kimberley Coast and Ningaloo Reef.  

Turtle conservation is most definitely a team effort, with international partnerships, academics, scientists and passionate volunteers all playing a part in increasing our understanding of these amazing reptiles, tracking their movements and assessing the threats that face them. 

We speak with, Scott Whiting, a Principal Research Scientist with the Marine Science Program at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions about the work being done to protect these species and the important role Traditional Owners play.

]]> Western Australia is home to six out of the seven species of marine turtles in the world. Our shores become safe havens for them to nest and lay their eggs, including along the stunning Kimberley Coast and Ningaloo Reef.  

Turtle conservation is most definitely a team effort, with international partnerships, academics, scientists and passionate volunteers all playing a part in increasing our understanding of these amazing reptiles, tracking their movements and assessing the threats that face them. 

We speak with, Scott Whiting, a Principal Research Scientist with the Marine Science Program at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions about the work being done to protect these species and the important role Traditional Owners play.

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-17579486 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0800 1356 turtles, marine turtles, conservation, volunteering, science, marine science 2 5 full false LANDSCOPE Beyond bee hotels LANDSCOPE Beyond bee hotels The ‘save the bees’ movement has gained remarkable traction lately, encouraging people to think beyond the European honey bee. We talk with Dr Kit Prendergast about Australia’s 1700 species of native bees and how we can help expand bee-friendly gardens to include ground-nesting species.

]]> The ‘save the bees’ movement has gained remarkable traction lately, encouraging people to think beyond the European honey bee. We talk with Dr Kit Prendergast about Australia’s 1700 species of native bees and how we can help expand bee-friendly gardens to include ground-nesting species.

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-16943780 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0800 2111 bees, bumblee, native bee, insects, science, ecology, australian natives, flora, pollinator, honey 2 4 full false LANDSCOPE Battling feral cats LANDSCOPE Battling feral cats Feral cats top the list of the most destructive species in Australia, costing the economy a huge $18.5 billion over the last 60 years in damage and population control measures. Today we speak with the Program Leader for Western Australia’s Invasive Animals Program, Corrin Everitt, about new technology and community-based action, backed by a nation first strategy, that are helping control feral cats to protect our precious wildlife and biodiversity.

]]> Feral cats top the list of the most destructive species in Australia, costing the economy a huge $18.5 billion over the last 60 years in damage and population control measures. Today we speak with the Program Leader for Western Australia’s Invasive Animals Program, Corrin Everitt, about new technology and community-based action, backed by a nation first strategy, that are helping control feral cats to protect our precious wildlife and biodiversity.

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-15901603 Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0800 1019 cats, feral, animals, baiting, poison, eradicat, native species 2 3 full false LANDSCOPE Forest orchestras LANDSCOPE Forest orchestras Innovative scientists are recording sounds of Western Australia’s forests in the south-west to uncover clues about what types of species occur there and how the environment changes throughout the day. Guest host Alan Gill chats with scientist Lauren Hawkins about how her work is helping detect creatures that might otherwise hard to see.  

]]> Innovative scientists are recording sounds of Western Australia’s forests in the south-west to uncover clues about what types of species occur there and how the environment changes throughout the day. Guest host Alan Gill chats with scientist Lauren Hawkins about how her work is helping detect creatures that might otherwise hard to see.  

]]> Lauren Hawkins Buzzsprout-15241860 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0800 2300 science, forest, innovations, fauna, flora, native animals, science technology 2 2 full false LANDSCOPE Breeding for release LANDSCOPE Breeding for release Dibblers are energetic bundles of grey fur that have been a favourite of Perth Zoo staff in the science team involved in breeding the small marsupials for release to the wild. The breed-for-release program has been such a success it has now closed. Harriet Mills from Perth Zoo talks about her beloved dibblers and other breed for release programs around Western Australia

]]> Dibblers are energetic bundles of grey fur that have been a favourite of Perth Zoo staff in the science team involved in breeding the small marsupials for release to the wild. The breed-for-release program has been such a success it has now closed. Harriet Mills from Perth Zoo talks about her beloved dibblers and other breed for release programs around Western Australia

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-14727346 Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0800 1119 animals, breeding, science, zoo, dibbler, captivity, native animals 2 1 full false LANDSCOPE Tackling toads LANDSCOPE Tackling toads Cane toads crossed the border into Western Australia in 2009. They  are toxic at every stage of their life - from eggs to tadpoles to toads - and they have been linked to the decline of several native predator species. We speak with Clare Forward, WA’s Cane Toad Strategy Program Coordinator responsible for planning and delivering actions in the cane toad strategy to make sure Western Australia is doing everything it can to tackle this toad problem. 

]]> Cane toads crossed the border into Western Australia in 2009. They  are toxic at every stage of their life - from eggs to tadpoles to toads - and they have been linked to the decline of several native predator species. We speak with Clare Forward, WA’s Cane Toad Strategy Program Coordinator responsible for planning and delivering actions in the cane toad strategy to make sure Western Australia is doing everything it can to tackle this toad problem. 

]]> Clare Forward Buzzsprout-14145882 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0800 1180 cane toads, invasive species, science, eDNA, research 1 13 full false LANDSCOPE 25 years of Mondays LANDSCOPE 25 years of Mondays Andrew Paul’s passionate and excitement to explore, share and protect the beauty of Western Australia with the Mount Lawley Senior High School’s Bush Rangers cadet unit has not waned in 25 years.  

]]> Andrew Paul’s passionate and excitement to explore, share and protect the beauty of Western Australia with the Mount Lawley Senior High School’s Bush Rangers cadet unit has not waned in 25 years.  

]]> Andrew Paul Buzzsprout-13488784 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0800 1233 camping, hiking, nature, adventure, outdoor 1 12 full false LANDSCOPE The magic of Matuwa LANDSCOPE The magic of Matuwa Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara is gorgeous country, and quintessentially central Australian with its red dirt, hummock grasslands and array of desert animals. Our guest  is Simon Cherriman, famed ornithologist and regular visitor to Matuwa. He has been working with the Wiluna Martu Rangers and school for several years along with other scientists.

]]> Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara is gorgeous country, and quintessentially central Australian with its red dirt, hummock grasslands and array of desert animals. Our guest  is Simon Cherriman, famed ornithologist and regular visitor to Matuwa. He has been working with the Wiluna Martu Rangers and school for several years along with other scientists.

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-13114143 Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0800 1298 1 11 full true LANDSCOPE Going plastic-free LANDSCOPE Going plastic-free The Swan Canning Riverpark in the Perth region but the river is facing a variety of stressors from contaminants, including plastic pollution. We talk with Zoe Beeson and Peter Novak about single-plastics and what we can do to help. 

]]> The Swan Canning Riverpark in the Perth region but the river is facing a variety of stressors from contaminants, including plastic pollution. We talk with Zoe Beeson and Peter Novak about single-plastics and what we can do to help. 

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-12583904 Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0800 1877 science, plastic, rivers, waste, dolphins, seaweed 1 10 full true LANDSCOPE Quiet achievers - WA's trail volunteers LANDSCOPE Quiet achievers - WA's trail volunteers Western Australia's long-distance trails are beloved by locals and visitors. It takes an army of volunteers to maintain these tracks and we speak to two people from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation about just what it takes to coordinate all these volunteer efforts and keep our world-class trails in world-class shape. 

]]> Western Australia's long-distance trails are beloved by locals and visitors. It takes an army of volunteers to maintain these tracks and we speak to two people from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation about just what it takes to coordinate all these volunteer efforts and keep our world-class trails in world-class shape. 

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-11820237 Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0800 2450 trails, bushwalking, hiking, nature, mountain biking, cycling 1 9 full false LANDSCOPE Saving sea lions LANDSCOPE Saving sea lions Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) are among the world’s most endangered pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) and the only pinniped endemic to Australia. Unfortunately research shows their numbers continue to decline. A collaboration between scientists, a cartoonist, a fashion designer and students has resulted in a creative conservation fundraising and awareness program that is having continued success and growth. 

]]> Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) are among the world’s most endangered pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) and the only pinniped endemic to Australia. Unfortunately research shows their numbers continue to decline. A collaboration between scientists, a cartoonist, a fashion designer and students has resulted in a creative conservation fundraising and awareness program that is having continued success and growth. 

]]> Buzzsprout-11541018 Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:00:00 +0800 759 sea lion, seed, marine, science 1 8 full false LANDSCOPE Women and plants LANDSCOPE Women and plants Myth and literature are filled with associations between women, flowers and gardens but throughout history the study of botany and medicine was largely associated with men. today In this episode, we hear from a few modern women who work with plants and learn about the surprising role women played in the scientific endeavours in the plant world throughout history. 

]]> Myth and literature are filled with associations between women, flowers and gardens but throughout history the study of botany and medicine was largely associated with men. today In this episode, we hear from a few modern women who work with plants and learn about the surprising role women played in the scientific endeavours in the plant world throughout history. 

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-10807501 Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0800 962 women, plants, botany, science, bush tucker, illustrations, history 1 7 full false LANDSCOPE The wonder of seaweeds LANDSCOPE The wonder of seaweeds In this episode we speak with Dr John Huisman whose contagious passion for seaweeds and marine botany mirrors that of one of history's most important phycologists William Henry Harvey. Dr Huisman shares his love for seaweeds and quite convincingly proves that seaweeds have a strong role to play in our future - both above and below the ocean. 

]]> In this episode we speak with Dr John Huisman whose contagious passion for seaweeds and marine botany mirrors that of one of history's most important phycologists William Henry Harvey. Dr Huisman shares his love for seaweeds and quite convincingly proves that seaweeds have a strong role to play in our future - both above and below the ocean. 

]]> Dr John Huisman Buzzsprout-10209340 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0800 1154 seaweed, marine, botany, seagrass, algae 1 6 full false LANDSCOPE Wandering out west LANDSCOPE Wandering out west With Western Australian borders shut for some time to international and interstate travellers, the impact has been felt by the Aboriginal tourism sector. As locals enthusiastically ‘wander out yonder’, we are encouraged to see the State through the eyes of Traditional Owner and add a cultural experience to our intrastate itinerary. Hear from some incredible Aboriginal cultural tour operators.  

]]> With Western Australian borders shut for some time to international and interstate travellers, the impact has been felt by the Aboriginal tourism sector. As locals enthusiastically ‘wander out yonder’, we are encouraged to see the State through the eyes of Traditional Owner and add a cultural experience to our intrastate itinerary. Hear from some incredible Aboriginal cultural tour operators.  

]]> WA Aboriginal tour operators Buzzsprout-9676954 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0800 379 aboriginal, tourism, western australia, bush tucker, bush food, indigenous 1 5 full false LANDSCOPE The art of interpretation LANDSCOPE The art of interpretation Interpretation in national parks is more than just signage, it helps us connect with the natural and cultural values. We speak with Lorna Charlton and Jacki Baxter about how interpretation helps us elevate our connection with nature.  

]]> Interpretation in national parks is more than just signage, it helps us connect with the natural and cultural values. We speak with Lorna Charlton and Jacki Baxter about how interpretation helps us elevate our connection with nature.  

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-9150215 Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0800 1588 1 4 full false LANDSCOPE Touched by nature - William Blackall LANDSCOPE Touched by nature - William Blackall After an honourable career as a medical officer, helping to raise two children and serving in the Great War, Dr William Blackall's passion for collection and recording wildflowers couldn't be quashed. Little did he know, his some 5000 floral specimens and their illustrated keys would serve as the quintessential reference for identifying Western Australian wildflowers. Hear from Dr Blackall's grandson and great grandson who are on a journey to learn about the incredible ancestor they never got to meet. 

]]> After an honourable career as a medical officer, helping to raise two children and serving in the Great War, Dr William Blackall's passion for collection and recording wildflowers couldn't be quashed. Little did he know, his some 5000 floral specimens and their illustrated keys would serve as the quintessential reference for identifying Western Australian wildflowers. Hear from Dr Blackall's grandson and great grandson who are on a journey to learn about the incredible ancestor they never got to meet. 

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-8589994 Wed, 26 May 2021 11:00:00 +0800 718 1 3 full false LANDSCOPE Houtman Abrolhos: A seabirds haven LANDSCOPE Houtman Abrolhos: A seabirds haven Hear from researcher Dr Chris Surman as he explores the wonders of the Houtman Abrolhos islands and the incredible seabirds that have brought him back to the islands every nesting season for 30 years. Chris's childhood friend and fellow bird lover, Anthony Desmond, collaborates with Chris and shares his experiences with the fascinating seabirds of the Houtman Abrolhos. 

]]> Hear from researcher Dr Chris Surman as he explores the wonders of the Houtman Abrolhos islands and the incredible seabirds that have brought him back to the islands every nesting season for 30 years. Chris's childhood friend and fellow bird lover, Anthony Desmond, collaborates with Chris and shares his experiences with the fascinating seabirds of the Houtman Abrolhos. 

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-8103634 Tue, 09 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0800 1086 1 2 full false LANDSCOPE Adventure Out - MAAC Snorkel Trail Marmion Marine Park LANDSCOPE Adventure Out - MAAC Snorkel Trail Marmion Marine Park Join marine rangers, scientists and snorkelers as we dive below the surface at Marmion Marine Park to explore the MAAC snorkel trail

]]> Join marine rangers, scientists and snorkelers as we dive below the surface at Marmion Marine Park to explore the MAAC snorkel trail

]]> Parks and Wildlife Service Buzzsprout-5883577 Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:00:00 +0800 772 snorkel, marine park, fish, diving, perth, diver, marine, fish, 1 1 full false