Calling All Artists

Entries are now open for this year's art auction.

You can submit art online by completing our online form. Submit your art here!

If you would prefer to submit a PDF submission you can find this here.

Proceeds from works sold go to artists and art centres, and support our conservation work.

Deadline for submissions is 25 June. Please share with other artists you think might like to be involved.

Save The Date for Broome’s Premier Art Event, Environs Kimberley’s Annual Art Auction: Saturday 25 July 2026

This spectacularly enjoyable fundraiser supports artists in remote communities and protects the Kimberley’s environment.

Join us for live music performances, delicious food and drinks, a vibrant atmosphere, stunning artwork on display, fabulous company, an exciting art raffle and of course the exhilaration of the live auction.

Won’t be in Broome? All good! You can join in the fun online and bid on that piece of art that stole your heart from anywhere in the world via Zoom - we'll provide the link closer to the date. 

Bidding begins 6:45pm (AWST).

Proceeds go to the artists and art centres for works sold, and support the conservation work of Environs Kimberley.

Event Details

Saturday 25 July

5pm: preview of art, music and food

6:45pm: live art auction

You can buy entry tickets to the live art auction event soon!

Return here to buy tickets soon

For more info, please contact us ([email protected]) or (08) 9192 1922.

Wetlands are the lifeblood of the Kimberley – places of deep cultural meaning, rich biodiversity, and community connection.

Kimberley Traditional Owners and their ranger teams are dedicated to caring for wetlands, although these wetlands face growing pressures from climate change, weeds, feral animals, and water development. For more than a decade, Environs Kimberley has worked alongside The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Kimberley ranger teams to strengthen Indigenous-led care for these freshwater places.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru Country Managers Vaughn Lee, Cole Corpus, Rebecca Dobbs (UWA), Chase Pigram (sitting), Gaydar Lawford and Lyall Pedro discussing monitoring at Mimyagaman. Photo: Mark Cowan.

We are now expanding this partnership through the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Resilient Landscapes Hub with the Wetland Monitoring and Management Toolkit. The toolkit will be a publicly available guide offering practical tools for planning, doing and reviewing wetland monitoring.

Based on the work of Kimberley ranger teams, the toolkit is founded in three key principles:

• Start with Country priorities – work with ranger teams to use Healthy Country Plans as the foundation for wetland work.
• Make monitoring a full cycle – ask the right questions, choose monitoring tools that fit, and set up systems for managing and using data to feed back into management.
• Weave knowledge systems – consider Indigenous knowledge and Western science as separate, equally valid ways of knowing, that together provide a fuller picture of wetland health.

Jarndu Country Manager Romaniah Hunter at Tharndoo-Ngunjal (Lake Campion) with a poster summarising monitoring and management actions at this place. Photo: Mark Cowan.

Yawuru Case Study

One inspiring example is the Yawuru Environmental Services Unit who run two programs:

• Bilarra (wetland) monitoring, and
• Piezometer monitoring of groundwater across the Yawuru Indigenous Protected Area.

Recently, Yawuru Country Managers worked with EK and UWA to formally review both programs. These reviews helped the Yawuru team reflect on and interpret data using science and Yawuru knowledge, and helped clarify next steps for management. The partnership is also producing Standard Operation Procedures in field-friendly formats to support the Country Managers’ on-going monitoring, along with other support. By combining technical support with Yawuru knowledge, these processes are building skills and confidence for Yawuru to manage and adapt their programs independently into the future.

The Toolkit celebrates stories like this, along with practical, tested tools, strong partnerships, and Indigenous leadership in caring for wetlands. We’d like to acknowledge the Toolkit program supporters including the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, and Yawuru project supporters: the WA State Government (Aboriginal Ranger Program) and the WA State Government Natural Resource Management Program.

- Dr Michelle Pyke

This report first appeared as an article in our December 2025 EK News Issue 106.

A record number of appeals have been lodged against the WA Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) decision to recommend approval of Black Mountain Energy’s fracking project in the Kimberley, signaling widespread community opposition.

More than 8000 community members and groups made submissions ahead of the appeals period closing on Tuesday 10 February, making it the most highly contested EPA decision in Western Australia’s history.

Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard said the community’s outrage reflected serious risks posed by the proposal. Many Traditional Owners and Custodians whose countries are in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment would be impacted by the project and have called for it to be rejected.

“The Kimberley is home to the most pristine tropical savannah woodlands anywhere in the world, spectacular waterfalls and gorges, and wildlife seen nowhere else on earth,” Mr Pritchard said.

The Kimberley's Martuwarra Fitzroy River under threat. Photo: Alex Westover.

"Black Mountain Energy’s application to the EPA admits that the chemicals they would pump into the ground can cause severe burns, genetic mutations and organ toxicity to name a few." 

“Thousands of community members are standing up to say the Kimberley is worth protecting, and we won’t allow Texan-owned Black Mountain Energy to destroy its unique splendor.”

Lock the Gate WA State Campaign Coordinator Simone van Hattem said: “We’re campaigning in six WA electorates and the results from door-knocking are very clear — more than 90% of voters want Premier Cook and Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn to act urgently to ban fracking in the Kimberley. Fracking is a vote-shifting issue. We don't want to take it to the next election, but if we have to we will.

Community members at the EPA Appeals Convenor's office call for a Minister Swinbourn to reject the proposal.

“The EPA has failed to do its due diligence in approving Valhalla, so the people of Western Australia have made their voices heard. We trust Minister Swinbourn will hear the evidence – that this project cannot go ahead without polluting waterways and damaging the local environment.”

The previous WA EPA appeals record was 727 for Woodside’s Northwest Shelf project. More than 800 of the Valhalla project appeals are from the Kimberley.

There was a very strong turnout in Broome recently to protest the EPA decision to recommend fracking by Texan company Black Mountain at its proposed Valhalla project – over 130 people came at short notice.

“It’s very clear that people here are shocked and outraged at the EPA recommendation to allow fracking in the Kimberley. This is the worst decision the EPA has made in years. The calls were very strong to the Minister for the Environment Matthew Swinbourn to reject Texan company Black Mountain’s Valhalla fracking project.

The community doesn’t want the Kimberley turned into Texan gasfields and the risk to our clean water, threatened species and the National Heritage listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River is too high. Ultimately the Premier, Roger Cook, needs to take leadership here and ban fracking in the Kimberley like its banned in the southwest and Perth. ” said Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard.

A big crowd attended the protest calling on Minister for the Environment Matthew Swinbourn to reject the Valhalla fracking project Photo - Hazel Blake

Yawuru/Djukun Traditional Custodian Janet Puertollano said at the protest -

“ I fear the Valhalla fracking project would be devastating for the Martuwarra Fitzroy River and the communities that rely on it.

This fracking project risks a vital water source in the Fitzroy River catchment, with long-term consequences for Aboriginal children. This river is the lifeblood of the Kimberley, it’s not just water, it’s a place to swim, learn and a vital food source for many residents along it.”

“We will be appealing the EPA’s decision and we expect there will be a record number, people from all over the country are absolutely gobsmacked about this recommendation,"said EK Director Martin Pritchard.

“Our grounds of appeal include that the EPA has failed to adequately assess risks to threatened species, risks to human health and social surrounds, including toxic chemicals, risks of climate change and extreme weather and has ignored advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee established by the Commonwealth government.”

The WA Labor Party voted unanimously to ban fracking in WA at the state conference a couple of months ago. Labor Party members vote for fracking ban to be extended across all parts of WA

Bunuba Traditional Owner Millie Hills said -

“The WA government needs to stop this industry before it gets started, this type of development is a huge risk to the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment. People don’t come to the Kimberley to see gas fields; they come to see unspoilt nature and experience our ancient culture.

“The Premier Roger Cook needs to show some leadership here and stop Black Mountain’s 20 well fracking proposal and ultimately ban fracking in the Kimberley to stop it looking like Texas.

Ms Pat Riley, a Nyikina woman from Pandanus Park at the lower reaches of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River said –

“We don’t want to see fracking in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment. Our community is at the end of the river and any pollution from fracking upstream will affect us, we want a clean, healthy river.”

Media

Kimberley fracking plan sparks protest - West Australian

Dozens rally in Broome against fracking proposal near Martuwarra Fitzroy River - National Indigenous Times

Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals (SKIPA) was busy in 2025 celebrating the beauty, diversity, and ecological importance of Kimberley native plants with a variety of events. Earlier in the year SKIPA held their annual plant sale at the Broome Botanical Park. Grown by members at their own homes (in the absence of a central nursery) the plants sold out within one hour, showing the popularity of native plants and the growing appreciation of how native plant gardens contribute to biodiversity and conservation, reduce water usage, and create habitats for local wildlife.

Native garden enthusiasts among the swales listen to tips on harvesting water. Photo: Kylie Weatherall.

SKIPA also held their inaugural Kimberley Native Garden Open Day, exploring three very different gardens around Broome. With informative talks from each garden host, participant learnt about the successes and challenges of creating a native garden from scratch, how to introduce native plants to an established garden and how to harvest water on residential properties. While the gardens all had very different looks, a few ‘principles of success’ were common across all the gardens: mulch heavily, reticulate, keep on top of weeds, and provide plenty of sunshine.

The water-harvesting garden showed how to get the most out of the Kimberley's tropical downpours by retaining water on site without causing erosion or flooding. Tips included making vital initial observations to see where the water ran, where it pooled and where erosion could occur. This information can help the gardener plan how to redirect and capture the water through the construction of temporary watercourses, swales and mounds. Other tips included having porous driveways and paths (minimising hard surfaces), reducing evaporation through mulching, capturing rainwater in tanks and reusing grey water in gardens. With three delightfully different gardens to visit, the open day was an educational and inspiring morning for native-plant lovers, which SKIPA hopes to run again.

In between these events, busy bees were held at the Broome Botanical Park and at the new SKIPA/EK nursery. Generous grants from the Shire of Broome, the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, Horizon Power and the Water Corporation have all helped fund the construction of the nursery.

SKIPA greatly appreciates the support of all the funding bodies, as well as the tireless efforts of volunteers. We welcome everyone to get involved and learn about Kimberley plants and animals. If you'd like to find out more, visit our volunteer page here.

- Kylie Weatherall

Earlier this year The Kids Research Institute Australia came to Broome for the third year in a row to host a two-day STEM festival (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Students from Years 3–10 from eight different schools and communities participated in the event, with a variety of displays and experiments. Students could learn about UV radiation and sugary drinks, and have fun making DNA. Local organisations were invited to attend the festival with their own exhibitions, to show our Kimberley kids how much fun a career in science can be. Environs Kimberley staff Kylie Weatherall and Alex Gibson put on a Wetland Wonderland display, with a helping hand from volunteer Kim Frank-Koczwara.

Our own mini wetland. How many species can you spot?

First off, the students were taught about the great diversity of wetlands we have here in the Kimberley. Next was a water filtration experiment, where the students tested how effective wetlands are at absorbing excessive rainfall and filtering out surplus sediment. Listening to the beats of singing zoologist Lucas Millar, the students enjoyed a music video full of engaging and easily digestible wetland facts.

Kylie and Alex engaging the students in our wetland water filtration experiment.

Finally, EK created its very own wetland, with a range of species: Australian rainbowfish, our common friendly garden resident, the green tree frog, and plants such as lilies and sedge. Students were tasked with identifying the different species in our aquarium, to demonstrate how high biodiversity creates a healthy ecosystem. Over 670 students participated in the STEM event. We were thankful for this opportunity to engage, educate and inspire the budding scientists of our Kimberley community.

- Alex Gibson

New national environment laws: some wins, but a big fail for the Kimberley on climate

The new national environment laws, announced today and set to be passed by the Federal Parliament, include some improvements such as making forest logging subject to the new Act and closing loopholes for land clearing in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, but overall the improvements are not enough to stop the steep decline in nature, particularly in the Kimberley.

The Greens managed to stop the ‘water trigger’ assessments for fracking being handed to the states and territories. They also helped prevent the fast-tracking of oil and gas projects.

“The Greens managed to save some of the furniture, but there’s a massive fight ahead to ensure that the National Environment Standards are strong and that regional plans don’t allow the fast-tracking of industrial projects and land clearing across the Kimberley,” said Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard.

The Kimberley's Danggu Geikie Gorge. Photo: Adam Monk.

“What we don’t want to see is the new Act just handing powers to the WA Government, given the Cook Government’s track record on weakening the state’s Environment Protection Act and bringing a development Czar who can override environmental assessments and wave them through without rigorous scrutiny,” Mr Pritchard said.

“The new national environment laws are a once-in-a-generation reform, and the Albanese Government has squandered the opportunity to bring oil and gas projects under emissions scrutiny in the new Act,” he said.

“The Kimberley is the only region on the continent that hasn’t had mammal extinctions, and it has the largest, most intact tropical savannah in the world, but it’s going to be the most impacted by climate change – the new act does nothing to mitigate that.”

“The recent National Climate Risk Assessment is showing the Kimberley will be uninhabitable on current climate projections. This would mean Traditional Owners, who’ve lived here for thousands of years, will be climate refugees, yet the new environment Act will not look at the climate impacts of fossil fuel projects.”

Threatened bilbies. Photo: Damian Kelly.

“Fitzroy Crossing, which already has 67 days a year over 40°C, is projected to have 225 days a year over 40°C by 2090 on current emissions projections.”

“The Kimberley has two of the largest climate threats in the country – Woodside’s Browse Basin proposal at Scott Reef, and Black Mountain’s Valhalla fracking proposal in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment. These projects won’t be captured by the new laws, and that’s a travesty for nature and people in the Kimberley.”

“What these new laws show is that it is still going to take massive people power to protect the nature of the Kimberley.”

Help protect the Kimberley by becoming a member of Environs Kimberley here.

Header photo: The Kimberley's Martuwarra Fitzroy River. Photo: Wendy Mitchell.

A mass fish death event uncovered at Tassal’s barramundi sea cage fish farm operation at Cone Bay, which is still unfolding, has shocked local conservationists and raised fears around the impact on the pristine Kimberley marine environment.

Conservation group Environs Kimberley is calling on the West Australian Cook government to reject the expansion of the sea cages which is currently being assessed by the WA EPA and Commonwealth Environment Department.

Tassal barramundi being dumped at the Broome tip.

“The Kimberley’s Buccaneer Archipelago is in the top 4% of the most pristine coastlines in the world, its National Heritage listed and in a marine park, it’s the wrong place for industrial fish farming," said Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard.

"The mass fish death at Cone Bay should end any discussion of expanding Tassal’s industrial fish farming operations across thousands of square kilometres in the even more remote and pristine Buccaneer Archipelago and Mayala Marine Park. The expansion proposal is currently under assessment by both the WA EPA and the Federal environment department, DCCEEW," Mr Pritchard said.

Dead Cone Bay Tassal barramundi.

"This mass mortality event is extremely concerning and shows the industry is not fit for such a globally significant marine environment. We’re calling on the Premier Roger Cook to publicly acknowledge how significant the Kimberley coast is and rule out the expansion plans by Tassal to industrialise it with sea cages,” he said.

“Multi-national sea cage operator Tassal, already under huge pressure over its salmon farming operations in Tasmania, must be directed by the WA government to immediately suspend its operations at Cone Bay pending a full, independent investigation. No more juvenile barramundi should be taken to Cone Bay and the existing fish at Cone Bay, if any survive, must be safely and humanely removed.

“We will be writing urgently to WA Environment Minister Swinbourn urging him to launch a full, open and independent investigation, suspend current operations at Cone Bay and reject Tassal’s proposed expansion of industrial sea cage fish farming across the Buccaneer Archipelago.”

Help stop Tassal's sea cage expansion here. 

Kimberley Traditional Owners travelled to WA Premier Roger Cook's office in his electorate at Kwinana to call for a legislated ban on fracking for the iconic Kimberley region.

The call comes after WA Labor members voted for a statewide ban on the dangerous and polluting gas extraction technique at the party’s State Conference on Saturday. 

The decision to heed the party’s position, and make the statewide fracking ban a legislated reality, now sits with Premier Cook.

Traditional Owners urge Premier Cook to legislate a fracking ban in the Kimberley. Photo: Wendy Mitchell.

The Labor conference vote and Traditional Owner visit come at a critical time for the Kimberley. WA’s Environment Protection Authority is expected to make a decision in coming weeks on Texan company Black Mountain’s Valhalla fracking project in the National Heritage-listed Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment, east of Broome. 

If approved, fracking in the Kimberley could start as early as next year. Black Mountain would have permission to drill and frack 20 ‘test’ wells, with expectations that the company would ultimately drill hundreds and possibly thousands more, industrialising the Kimberley beyond recognition.

Traditional Owner from the Kimberley, Madeleine Jadai said, “We welcome the Labor Party decision on the weekend to ban fracking in the Kimberley. Our Country means everything to us and we are totally against anything that would damage and pollute it, like fracking.

“We’ve come from the Kimberley to let the Premier Roger Cook know we now want his government to take the next step and ban fracking.

“We’ve come to his Kwinana office to let him know how much this means to us. Premier Cook: please ban fracking on our land so we can have it safe for future generations.”

Traditional Owners called for a legislated ban on fracking in the Kimberley region. Photo: Martin Pritchard.

Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard said, “The Labor Party endorsing a ban on fracking in the Kimberley on the weekend was a huge shift. Now, the work begins to make the ban government policy and legislation, and we stand with Traditional Owners to protect Country and make it happen.”