2026/27 Memberships now open
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
NRM Community Stewardship Grant
The next evolution of our care for Perry Lakes
We’re pleased announce that Friends of Perry Lakes has been successful in securing a Community Stewardship Grant from the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program.
This funding supports something many of us have been working towards - a Citizen Science program to better understand and monitor the ecology of Perry Lakes. It builds directly on the volunteer effort, observations and care that our members already contribute, and helps us turn that commitment into a structured, long-term monitoring program.
With this support, over the next 18 months we’ll be able to:
- Train members and volunteers in ecological monitoring
- Collect and share data on water levels, water quality and wildlife
- Improve how we make information available to our community
- Host regular member and community events to learn, monitor and connect
Most importantly, this project strengthens our collective voice by providing credible, shared evidence about how Perry Lakes is changing and what it needs to remain healthy into the future.
If you’re interested in getting more involved - as a Citizen Scientist, event participant or supporter, we’d love you to register your interest via our website or keep an eye on upcoming announcements here.
Thank you to all our members whose ongoing support makes projects like this possible, and to the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program for backing community-led stewardship at Perry Lakes.
Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives
On 17 July 2026, Friends of Perry Lakes and Friends of Galup co-hosted "Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives" at Lake Monger Recreation Club — the first community event under our Citizen Science program, supported by funding from the WA State NRM Program. More than 70 people from the local community came along to hear directly from the scientists and volunteers working to understand and protect our local wetlands.
FoPL Deputy Chair Peter Griffiths opened the evening with an introduction to what a Friends Group does, and how Friends of Perry Lakes has grown since 2022 from informal weeding and planting days into a structured citizen science program. Dr Don McFarlane, our Science Officer, then presented findings from our ongoing monitoring work — including decades of West Lake water level history, seasonal water quality trends, and what our citizen scientists are learning about the health of the lakes. Diana Blackie, Chair of Friends of Galup, shared her group's story alongside data showing significant declines in local water bird populations, illustrating the risks facing wetlands that don't receive sustained monitoring and care. Dr George Crisp of Doctors for the Environment Australia rounded out the presentations with a look at the human health dimension — the documented mental and physical health benefits of green and blue spaces, and the health risks associated with algal blooms.
The evening closed with a panel Q&A, with Dr Don McFarlane, Dr George Crisp, Dr Jeff Cosgrove and Professor Matt Hipsey responding to questions from attendees, including Town of Cambridge Mayor Gary Mack. The strong turnout and engagement reflected the level of community interest in the future of our local lakes.
This event marked the first of six community events being delivered as part of our Citizen Science program at Perry Lakes, made possible through funding from the WA State NRM Program.
Our panel of experts
Dr Don McFarlane
Dr Don McFarlane
Dr Don McFarlane
Don has over 40 years' experience in land and water research and management. He's led hydrology and water research teams across WA Agriculture, the state water agency, and CSIRO, and today he's an Adjunct Professor at UWA, focused on aquifer recharge, urban hydrology, and climate change. His research papers have been cited more than 4,00
Don has over 40 years' experience in land and water research and management. He's led hydrology and water research teams across WA Agriculture, the state water agency, and CSIRO, and today he's an Adjunct Professor at UWA, focused on aquifer recharge, urban hydrology, and climate change. His research papers have been cited more than 4,000 times, and he's a CSIRO Chairman's Medal and WE Wood Award recipient. He's also the science office for the Friends of Perry Lakes.
Dr George Crisp
Dr Don McFarlane
Dr Don McFarlane
George is a Perth-based GP and a committee member and representative of Doctors for the Environment Australia. He's an adjunct Senior Clinical Lecturer at UWA Medical School, and his work focuses on the intersection of human health and the environment — from the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, to advocating for system
George is a Perth-based GP and a committee member and representative of Doctors for the Environment Australia. He's an adjunct Senior Clinical Lecturer at UWA Medical School, and his work focuses on the intersection of human health and the environment — from the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, to advocating for systemic changes like reducing gas reliance to protect public health during extreme heat.
Dr Jeff Cosgrove
Professor Matt Hipsey
Professor Matt Hipsey
Dr Jeff Cosgrove has spent almost 30 years working in coastal and estuarine water quality — bridging scientific research with practical water quality assessment, policy, and environmental impact assessment for major works. He's an adjunct professor at Murdoch University, linked to the Algae Research and Development Centre, with a particu
Dr Jeff Cosgrove has spent almost 30 years working in coastal and estuarine water quality — bridging scientific research with practical water quality assessment, policy, and environmental impact assessment for major works. He's an adjunct professor at Murdoch University, linked to the Algae Research and Development Centre, with a particular focus on Harmful Algal Blooms and seagrass conservation.
Professor Matt Hipsey
Professor Matt Hipsey
Professor Matt Hipsey
Professor Matt Hipsey is a Professor at UWA's School of Agriculture and Environment and a member of the UWA Oceans Institute. His research spans water quality, ecohydrology, and the modelling of aquatic systems, with a particular focus on wetland and estuary dynamics and how climate change is affecting our water resources. He's published
Professor Matt Hipsey is a Professor at UWA's School of Agriculture and Environment and a member of the UWA Oceans Institute. His research spans water quality, ecohydrology, and the modelling of aquatic systems, with a particular focus on wetland and estuary dynamics and how climate change is affecting our water resources. He's published widely in this space and works on projects ranging from river and lake health to environmental water management across Australia.
Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives in pictures
Expert Panel (from left) Dr Jeff Cosgrove, Professor Matt Hipsey, Dr George Crisp and Dr Don McFarlane fielding questions from Town of Cambridge Mayor, Gary Mack
Friends of Galup Chair, Diana Blackie providing an update on Galup
70 community members turned out for the event held at the Lake Monger Recreation Hall.
Firiends of Perry Lakes Deputy Chair Peter Griffiths update on activities with FoPLCommunications Officer Brett Heil
Dr George Crisp, Healthy Lakes, Healthy lives
Dr Don McFarlane providing an update on the latest findings from Friends of Perry Lakes Citizen Scientists
FoPL members explaining the goals fo the NRM grant.
FoPL Deputy Chair talking about the NRM grant and what it means for FoPL
Dr George Crisp delivering the headline presentation.