The Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals (SKIPA) is a group of dedicated and enthusiastic naturalists who propagate Kimberley plant species, run field trips to collect specimens, conduct flora and fauna surveys, and undertake weed control work.
About
SKIPA was first conceived by local plant enthusiasts in 2007 and for over ten years has welcomed new and old residents of Broome and beyond to join them to conserve, protect and celebrate Kimberley flora and fauna. SKIPA is an action-orientated volunteer group hosted by Environs Kimberley and provides support to many of EK’s Kimberley Nature Projects. Membership is simply being on an email list and participating in any or all of the regular opportunities to explore and contribute to the fun of being in, learning about and contributing to nature. SKIPA events include: propagation nights, seed collection, community tree planting and restoration as well as opportunities to take part in flora and fauna surveys, take herbarium specimens and maintain educational habitat gardens. SKIPA volunteers advance and document knowledge about the nature of the Kimberley and share this knowledge with the wider community.
What they do
SKIPA volunteers do any or all of the following:
- Propagate native plants
- Promote sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening
- Join Kimberley flora and fauna field trips
- Advance, document and share knowledge about Kimberley plants and animals
- Collect, clean and store native seeds
- Collect herbarium specimens
- Planting and weeding projects
- Have fun!
Past Projects
- mapping and documenting Priority Ecological Communities with Environs Kimberley
- field trips to Kooljaman to weed and revegetate endangered monsoon vine thickets (see page 6)
- designing, developing and maintening the Magabala Botanic Park in Broome North/Waranyjarri Estate
- designing and planting the rainforest garden at North Regional TAFE
- weeding and planting in Minyirr Park and remnant bushland in Broome
- assisting community champions to restore Broome’s drainage network
- running remote field trips to the Wunaamin Milliwundi ranges to share knowledge and document plant species distribution
- producing self-guided walk brochure for Kooljaman with Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers
- supporting planting and maintenance of Balu Buru living seedbank
- developing the ‘SKIPA guide to planting a garden’ for Kimberley residents
- producing a ‘How to plant a native tree’ guide.
What they are doing now
SKIPA members meet regularly to propagate Kimberley native plants. They also go on occasional field trips to explore the Kimberley. Projects we are keen for you to take part in and support include:
- developing a native bee garden at Broome Lotteries House
- setting up a nursery space and equipment for community use
- native seed collection, cleaning and storage to support the Kimberley Community Seedbank
- propagating native plants, for revegetation and smart farming projects, and trialling the propagation of hard-to-grow species
- contributing knowledge to the Environs Kimberley ‘Seed collection and propagation guide for the West Kimberley’
- encouraging community learning and engagement through iNaturalist. This online program and app allows community members to map and share their flora and fauna finds and support each other to improve their knowledge while building better national species distribution maps. The local project is called ‘Plants of Broome and Beyond’. Sign up here: https://www.inaturalist.org/ or download it from the app store.
- updating our website and social media
- taking part in weed control, plant and animal surveys within EK’s Kimberley Nature project.
- joining our bush walks—knowledge sharing and nature appreciation
Get in touch
SKIPA is for people who are energised by nature and the opportunity to spend time learning, sharing and contributing with like-minded people. We encourage you to sign up to our email list for alerts on upcoming events. We would love to see you in person as well as online to swap germination techniques, share photographs, seek and provide support for plant or animal identification, and post stories about your floristic excursions or fauna sightings.
For more information or to sign up to the SKIPA mailing list, contact: skipas@environskimberley.org.au
Funders
SKIPA is grateful for the support of Environs Kimberley and the Shire of Broome
