The Darling Range, which constrains Perth’s eastward urban growth, contains a (currently) little known National Park on it’s eastern edge. Granite outcrops have been pushed up, with distinct stands of Wandoo, Jarrah, Marri and Rock Oak woodland establishing themselves in what is an important drinking water catchment area (Mundaring Weir/Goldfieds Water Supply).

The Wandoo National Park, officially opened in 2022, is a 46,000 hectare multi-aged forest/woodland within 80 kms of the Perth CBD, and is strung between The Great Southern and Brookton Highways and it abutts the first farmlands of the Central Wheatbelt. The closest towns, further east, are York (34km) and Beverley (58km), on the Avon River.

For a number of years prior to 2022, Track Care worked with DBCA Park and Wildlife Service on wetland conservation projects and removing out-of-date signage relating to the National Park status.

Since mid-2023, Track Care WA has co-ordinated over 2,000 volunteer, day-trip hours to clear fallen trees from the major and minor dirt roads (220kms as at 31-01-2025) and some tracks; trimmed back “parrot bush” to allow scratch-free passage, and removed dumped rubbish.

This year, we have at least 7 “Episodes” planned. Altogether they will involve working in many different areas of “The Wandoo”, and there will be a range of activities to undertake. We’ve found that everyone from “newbies” to the seasoned campaigners has a satisfying day out!

When each Episode is getting closer (4-5 weeks away), more detailed, relevant information will be loaded onto the Track Care website’s Events page and bookings will be “Opened”. Please respond quickly so that we can get a sense of the skills and interests of our potential workforce –  our tasks can be adjusted/expanded, if necessary.

I will be talking to all “new” Volunteers, to answer any questions and to get you registered on the DBCA books (for insurance and reward purposes). Everybody should take the opportunity to come out and work with us for a day at least; it’s not physically taxing; is immensely satisfying when you see the instant results for effort (“Did we do that!!???”); and this stunning woodland rewards with its beauty, unique calming presence and ecological diversity.
  
Wandoo Clean-Ups
Project Leader
David Cowley  0407196770
dcowley.au@gmail.com