State Government-led conservation program Bush Forever has marked 21 years of working with local communities to protect regionally significant bushland within the Perth metropolitan region.
Established in 2000, the Bush Forever program set out to protect 51,200 hectares of significant bushland to retain the biodiversity of the Perth Region.
Today, 99 per cent of this identified bushland remains intact – an area equivalent to over 100 Kings Parks – being afforded statutory protection within a Parks and Recreation reserve. An additional 400 hectares of native vegetation have also been added to Bush Forever since 2000.
The protection of significant portions of bushland within metropolitan Perth has been achieved during a period of significant growth in Perth, with around 600,000 more people living in Perth today compared to the year 2000 when Bush Forever was established.
The Western Australian Planning Commission has invested more than $171 million on acquiring sites for conservation as part of the Bush Forever program over the past 21 years.
Collaboration between State and local governments, private landowners, and community groups such as the Urban Bushland Council and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia has been key to the program’s success.
To mark this milestone anniversary, an interactive online feature has been created that explains the program. To view this, and to find out more about Bush Forever, visit Keeping the bush in the city.
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Bush Forever has played a critical role in protecting much of Perth’s rich biodiversity over the past two decades.
“Even as our city has grown and we’ve delivered new and essential infrastructure, this farsighted collaborative program has ensured the protection of significant areas of bushland right across the metropolitan area.
“The successes of Bush Forever are a positive reflection on its range of dedicated supporters and volunteers.
“I encourage you to take a look at the online story, which explains the Bush Forever program in a clear and engaging way.”
