The Peel Preservation Group (PPG) has long been a stronghold for the environmental values of the Peel Region.
Instrumental since the 1970’s, the group led the fight to save Creery Wetlands from canal development, and paved the way for the international listing of the Peel Yalgorup Wetland System, now acknowledged as a wetland of importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Now the group is looking for new members to carry the banner of environmentalism and embark on new projects to preserve Peel’s natural beauty.
“We keep a close eye on anything that might impact the diversity of the Peel Region, whether it’s flora, fauna or the health of the waterways,” committee member Linda Thorpe said.
“If we see something, for example a building development, that might threaten the local species, then we contribute to the debate by writing an official submissions outlining our concerns... so we can contribute to the decision-making.”
As well as being a voice for the environment, PPG has embarked on projects relating to sustainable living, and hopes to expand on this aspect of their role.
“We are looking to do more education in sustainability, and we have talked to eco-services at the City of Mandurah, about this... but it is something that we promote and that we’d like to add to our general education,” Ms Thorpe said.
As well as projects and submissions PPG release a quarterly newsletter to members, and hold a monthly committee meeting and a monthly open, informal meeting.
They will hold an open meeting for interested community members to find out more about the group, on Thursday October 8 at 6.30pm, to be held at 63 Ormsby Terrace in Mandurah.
“We’re looking for all types of skills, so some people might be quite expert, and others might have no experience at all,” Ms Thorpe said.
“We’re looking for people to help at events, and be general volunteers, and people with a real expert knowledge, or even just a passion, to conserve the local environment.”
PPG are open to new ideas and hope to pass the torch to some younger members, too.
“People burn out very quickly when they try and do it as an individual,” committee member Coral Richards said.
“Come and join a group of like-minded people who can help, assist and support you in some of the endeavors.”
For more information on the Peel Preservation Group, visit their website.
