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.

We'd love to hear what you enjoyed in this newsletter - email us here. Additionally, if you would like to receive a hardcopy newsletter, please contact us.

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.

August 2022

In this edition a fracking protest greets the Community Cabinet; our leader meets the other leader – Australia’s PM; and we welcome the creation of Warlibirri National Park and celebrate a huge win for the Kimberley coast. Also inside, Living Green reminds us to give careful thought to habits; Mad Cow walks through a patch of town bush earmarked for development and Shaun covers the premiere screening of ‘Fighting Giants’. For KNP: Hamsini announces the launch of a new biodiversity project, Kylie and Sam undertake a Desert Field Ecology course on Arrente Country, and Sam co-designs plans to help the nyarlgoo. Finally, we ask readers to share photos of the art they acquired in our Art Auctions.

April 2022

In this edition a decision on the Martuwarra Fitzroy River's future is imminent and our Chair urges action; we thank resigning board member Peter Mitchell for 24 years of dedicated service; and our Director asks for your thoughts on the future land use for the Demco area. Also inside, Living Green talks of greater self-sufficiency; Mad Cow wonders why we persist in our follies and Shaun reveals a map of a potential pipeline running through the Kimberley. For KNP: Ayesha reports on her participation in the Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia Development Program and Adrian on the Wiluna biodiversity workshop; Malcolm asks, What do bilbies eat? and Hamsini wages war on coffee bush. Lastly, Maddie showcases our 25th Anniversary reusable coffee cups and announces the date of the Art Auction!