December 2025

In our 106th edition of EK News:

• We congratulate the community on the major milestone of WA Labor formally committing to a Kimberley fracking ban in its party platform, and look towards the next step of translating the WA Labor Party policy into WA Government policy.
• Our Chair reflects on the accelerating pressures of climate change and the vital role of Aboriginal ranger programs in caring for Country.
• Our Executive Director reports on the strengthening of EK's foundations to support our work protecting the nature of the Kimberley.
• Our Operations Director highlights achievements across Campaigns, Sustainable Communities and the Kimberley Nature Project.
• Shaun recounts the largest anti-fracking rally at WA Parliament since 2018, as the community demands a legislated ban on fracking in the Kimberley. Wendy reports on the shocking mass fish kill at Tassal's Kimberley barramundi operation and urges action to halt the company’s expansion inside a marine park.
• Our exceptional new staff member Julie highlights a season of growth in Sustainable Communities, sharing stories from the Wattleseed Collective. Michelle discusses an Indigenous-led wetland monitoring toolkit co-designed with ranger teams. Alex writes about networking and learning opportunities around marine worm taxonomy, and responses to heatwaves impacting seagrass.
• We also spotlight a cherished volunteer and farewell our highly-valued ecologist Hamsini.

Read the EK News Issue 106 here.  

We'd love your feedback — email us here. To receive a hardcopy newsletter, please get in touch.

August 2025

In this edition of EK News, we ask: Will the Roger Cook Labor Government sacrifice the Kimberley’s nature to the tsunami of industrialisation proposals shown on our front-page map?

Our Chair urges optimism and action in response to the odds. Our Executive Director calls on everyone to step out of their comfort zones to prevent the Kimberley becoming unliveable as the climate changes. He reports on city-based anti-fracking protests and new government appointments in environmental decision-making. Our Operations Director reflects on six months in the job and shares EK’s progress in clarifying its values and strategies.

Shaun discusses the imminent decision on fracking, promotes an upcoming Frack Free Kimberley rally and reports another pollution incident by oil and gas players. Wendy discusses 17,000 EPA submissions to save Scott Reef from Woodside and a new weekly local action group.

Holly writes about a Sustainable Communities trip to learn from native plant and bushfoods industry partners. Alex reflects on EK’s interactive wetland exhibit inspiring local schoolkids toward science careers. Kylie celebrates the growth in residential native gardens. We recap the 22nd Annual EK Art Auction and the community that made it a success.

In Living Green, the beauty industry is questioned, while a new column Pepper It Up sprinkles kindness. We spotlight long-term volunteer Liz, welcome new staff member Jayah, and mourn the loss of a cherished friend who was one of the Kimberley’s most exceptional strategic thinkers.

April 2025

In this edition of EK News, we thanked southern Western Australians, whose connection to the movement to protect the Kimberley was reflected in their state election votes. That same community pressure saw Texan company Black Mountain's plans to frack the Kimberley referred for EPBC Commonwealth assessment, as noted in the Frack Free Kimberley report.

Sam reports on a trip to the Great Sandy Desert with the Karrajarri Rangers to visit desert Ngapa Kunangkul (living waters). Wendy reports on severe coral bleaching across the Kimberley coast due to heat stress. Holly writes about two trips, one to work with Gooniyandi Rangers to set up a native plant nursery near Fitzroy Crossing and a second to Kununurra with the Wattleseed Collective for professional development. The campaigns report highlights two films—“Corals’ Last Stand” and “Lifeblood”—which screened to sellout audiences and raised awareness of the need to protect the Kimberley’s Scott Reef and the Martuwarra Fitzroy River.

We pay tribute to Louise Beames, one of our longest-serving staff members, who is departing after seventeen years at EK. We welcome new staff including our Operations Director Liam Wright. We spotlight our volunteers' contributions and celebrate Easter Bilby season. We honour the late Goolarabooloo matriarch, a resilient defender of her ancestral lands who successfully fought against industrialisation at Walmadany James Price Point.

This edition also sees the last ‘Mad Cow’ article, a historical and poignant moment.

December 2024

In our 103^rd edition, Texan frackers lodge a new proposal – we need submissions sent to the Feds by 23 December.

Our Chairperson highlights the lasting impact of our work, while our Acting CEO reminds our community that we’ve triumphed before during tough times.

Our team reflects on the warmth, mentorship and conservation contribution of KNP Projects Director Dr Mal Lindsay as he embarks on new career chapters.

The Sustainable Communities team discusses the Wattleseed Collective, Seeding Success and the Native Seed Innovation hub while welcoming new staff.

Sam writes about ranger groups on the Dampier Peninsular studying fire impacts on pindan savannah.

While the community gathered to protect Broome’s Entrance Point Reef from an industrial jetty, in the east Kimberley the Dunham River is also threatened by industrialisation.

Meanwhile our Sydney supporters took the Frack Free Kimberley (FFK) message to the Prime Minister’s electorate. With the FFK team we watched as another oil and gas company left the Canning Basin, and saw Buru Energy fail at well drilling.

Meanwhile the WA EPA was inundated by submissions on the Texan fracking proposal.

Also enjoy photos of EK’s move to 9 Farrell Street. In hard copies of this edition you’ll find a postcard – please sign and send it to protect the critically endangered freshwater sawfish.

August 2024

In our 102nd edition, our Director of Strategy discusses the shocking new proposal to frack the Kimberley, and the community’s swift, united response, as well as the threat of the industrialisation of our region. He also stresses why Yinarra Entrance Point Reef must be protected.

Our Chair writes about the exciting potential of EK's new headquarters for expanding our efforts in protecting the nature of the Kimberley. 

The Campaigns team provides an update on the rise of renewable energy in the Kimberley, critiques a dubious new fossil fuel player, and alerts to carcinogen contamination in Kimberley water from oil and gas activities. They also call on the federal government to assess the fracking proposal and recap a recent Frack Free Kimberley info session in Broome.

The KNP team highlights a National Tree Day planting event, the Threatened Species Commissioner’s visit, and how desert ranger groups are studying changing fire patterns. Plus, we recap and share great photos from our annual art auction.

We pay tribute to two remarkable Kimberley champions we’ve sadly lost and give updates on recent staff changes.

April 2024

In our 101st edition, we hear from our Chair on the busy start to the year and our CEO announces some very exciting news. The Campaigns team shares ways to get behind Scott Reef, continues the fight against fracking, calls for protection for our EPA and visits Canberra. KNP tells us about the first edition of Nyul Nyul Mayi, weeding work on the Fitzroy River, protecting the Kimberley Wetlands and some great facts about a legless lizard. Our Sustainable Communities reflects on the social enterprise and SKIPA speaks about a successful Native Plant Sale and Delight in a Ditch. We welcome some new additions to the EK Shop and call for more volunteers to join our amazing EK family. Finally, Pat reviews some Kimberley books, we celebrate recent community discoveries, farewell a much loved, long-term board member and welcome a new staff member. 

December 2023

In our 100th edition, we hear from our newly appointed Chair, our CEO highlights the busy and exciting year we have had, and we welcome new Board members to EK. The Campaigns team celebrates a year frack free, a pause on industrial works at Entrance Point Reef, a more rigorous assessment of shale gas (fracking) projects by the implementation of the water trigger, and a free flowing Martuwarra Fitzroy River. KNP tells us about documenting traditional knowledge of plants on the Dampier Peninsula, new technology assisting animal tracking and a Birds on Country Symposium. Our Sustainable Communities celebrates the success of the recent Wattleseed harvest. Finally, Pat reviews some Kimberley books, we reflect on Martins 15 years with EK and farewell a special friend and cultural leader. 

August 2023

In this edition, we hear from our Chair on ways to protect the future of Broome, our CEO highlights the exciting three months the staff have had, and we welcome new team members to EK. The Campaigns team celebrates the biennial Yajilarra Festival, a growing community for a Frack Free Kimberley and a huge win for the Kimberley’s Martuwarra Fitzroy River, speaks of the inspiring visit from the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior and reflects on our outgoing Premier. KNP shares the success of the "Weeding Warriors" and fencing ecologically and culturally important wetlands. SKIPA shares of a recent adventure to Lake Campion. Our Sustainable Communities team learns about the wattle seed and bush food industry during a visit to Whajuk Boodjar, Perth and the Swan Valley. Finally, we reflect on our 20th Art Auction and share messages from our supporters, a letter to the editor from a special friend and a new book! We farewell a revered leader and cultural warrior, and a generous EK supporter. 

April 2023

In this edition, we welcome EK's first CEO, Andrew Batt and hear from our acting Chair, new staff and interns. Plus, we are calling for your designs in our Kimberley Life T-Shirt Competition and your artwork for our 2023 Art Auction. The Campaigns team celebrates ten years since the community win for Walmadany James Price Point and reflects on the Martuwarra Fitzroy River floods. KNP shares the success of the Between the Tides Festival, conducts plant surveys in Minyirr Park, attends a Feral Cat Symposium and grows the Social Enterprise Project. Finally, we speak about how you can get involved with EK.

December 2022

In this edition, Martin provides his last report as EK's Director before he focusses on campaigns and fundraising next year, we celebrate some amazing staff milestones and farewell an inspiring friend of EK and protector of Country. KNP talks black-flanked rock wallabies and the social enterprise work alongside ranger groups in wattleseed harvesting. The Campaigns team welcome an exciting new partnership with Seed Mob. SKIPA hosted a Natural Dye Workshop, the Martuwarra Fitzroy Film Festival came home to Fitzroy Crossing, Martuwarra Fitzroy River exhibition went to Walyalup Fremantle and staff attended Leadership and Capability training and the Social Enterprise World Forum.