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Margaret River Mountain Bike Trek
When:		2009 - 2014
Background:		The Margaret River Mountain Bike Trek was a major fundraiser for a number of years. The ride followed single-track off-road trails throughout the Cape-to-Cape's forests and coastal vistas, stopping at wineries and iconic sites along the way. This fully catered and backed up ride was held originally over a week and later over four days. MRREC was totally supported by members, volunteers and local businesses.

Water Planning and Conservation

Friends of the Yarragadee (FoY) and MRREC have been actively encouraging community engagement with the Water Corporation re their strategies to secure water for domestic use in the South West to 2060.

MRREC has submitted comments on the state government's Groundwater Resources Management Bill which aims to condense multiple water acts into one. The new bill proposes positive water conservation actions such as issuing licenses for percentages rather than fixed amounts of groundwater and creating Local Water Advisory Groups and Statutory Water Allocation Plans. The bill also holds areas of concern such as the proposal to release currently unallocated groundwater and effectively giving the power to set Statutory Allocation Limits to one person - the Minister of Water - with no legal avenue for appeal provided.

Collaborations: Friends of the Yarragadee (FOY), Busselton-Dunsborough Environment Centre (BDEC), Augusta Margaret River Shire, Water Corporation, Department of Water.

No Coal for Margaret River
When:		2011
Background:		Coal mining seriously threatened the Leederville Aquifer and the Margaret River. MRREC disseminated information from geologist Peter Lane who also provided advice to the Western Australia's Environment Minister. The Centre fundraised to pay for legal advice and participated in a number of rallies.
Augusta Margaret River Bush Corridors Grant
When:		2007
Background:		MRREC applied for a Lotterywest Grant to further an ecological linkages project in the Augusta Margaret River Shire. On Lotterywest advice the grant application was withdrawn by MRREC and subsequently successfully re-submitted by the Cape-to-Cape Catchments Group. Grant funds have been used to create a Conservation Action Plan in collaboration with Gondwanalink and for on-ground works.
Chester Forest
When:		2006-2007
Background:		In 2006 a high conservation value forest to the east of Karridale - Chester Forest - was on the Forest Products Commission's logging plan. MRREC initiated public awareness-raising and advocacy before direct action group Forest Rescue became involved and were successful in preventing logging in Chester Forest. As a member group of the WA Forest Alliance and Conservation Council of Western Australia, MRREC was instrumental in getting a policy of no logging of WA's native forests adopted by these groups. MRREC was also involved in the Ludlow Tuart Forest campaign, organising a rally down the main street of town.
Riverslea Bushland
When:		2006-2007
Background:		MRREC members were concerned about proposed destruction of bushland in Riverslea and organised a public rally in protest to save the area around Darch Brook.
Walk Against Warming
When:		2007
Background:		MRREC organised a local "Walk against Warming". The purpose of the walk was to express our community's concern about climate change. The Australia-wide walk, along with many other initiatives around the country, led to the Federal Government ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and agreeing to be a part of future climate talks.
Don't Nuclear Waste your Vote
When:		2007
Background:		MRREC made a local contribution to the wider Australian campaign with letterboxing, poster runs and media releases.
Save the Yarragadee
When:		2006-2007
Background:		The Water Corporation planned to tap 45 gigalitres of water from the south-west Yarragadee aquifer due to Perth's depleted and decreasing water resources. Removing such large quantities of water from the Yarragadee would have had devastating effects for south-west ecosystems and communities (for example acid-sulphate soil exposure in rivers and decreased groundwater resources). MRREC members and local community played a huge role in getting this successful campaign running. The peak event of the campaign was a huge rally outside Western Australia's parliament house. The result of the campaign was a change of approach by the Water Corporation and the State Government who instead opted to start a desalination plant powered by renewable energy.
Margaret River's A Class Reserve
When:		2001-2007
Background:		Background: "Friends of the A Class Reserve" worked on regenerating the bush near the Margaret River (west of Bussell Highway and north of the townsite) through: Weeding, planting and surveying Providing educational information through Friends, volunteers and community bushwalks Collecting seed from the area Establishing a nursery on Department of Environment and Conservation land from where indigenous plants were propagated Obtaining grants to employ a bush regenerator Anne Matei to oversee the group's activities
Margaret River Street Tree Group
Background:		The Margaret River Street Tree Group listed all historical trees in town, launched a campaign to save white gums along Charles Riley Avenue, negotiated with Coles to retain trees in the corner of its car park and persuaded them to plant indigenous flora.
Apex Fish Ladder
When:		2003
Background:		MRREC assisted in the design and planting out of a fish ladder at the lower weir on the Margaret River. The fish ladder was a successful collaboration between Friends of the A Class Reserve, Dr. David Morgan (Fishcare WA and Murdoch University), Ms. Antionetta Torre (Water and Rivers Commission), Augusta Margaret River Shire, Cowaramup Earthmovers, Mission Australia's Work for the Dole program and Voyager Winery. See more about the fish ladder at: www.mronline.com.au/aclass/fishway.htm
Bush Rehabilitation
MRREC has: Assisted repair of track following November 2011 fires with Friends of the Cape to Cape Track Assisted replanting beach dunes post November 2011 fires with the Augusta Margaret River Shire Participated in weed control, planting and rehabilitation of creek lines, reserves and private properties with Cape to Cape Catchments Group Collected seed and propagated many of the plants, weeded and planted for the Rain Garden in the A Class Reserve with Augusta Margaret River Shire
Protecting Endangered and Threatened Native Species
MRREC has: Surveyed and counted ring tailed possums with the Busselton Dunsborough Environment Centre. Rescued local native animals for rehabilitation with FAWNA group
Waste Avoidance
MRREC has: Supported recycling initiatives within Augusta Margaret River Shire Developed community awareness - movies, banners, newsletters, recycling workshops Been involved in developing a report to Shire Sustainability Committee for example the need for a Recycling Tip Shop Circulated information on drop off points for recyclables for example electronic goods and websites for recycling
Development Proposal Submissions and Campaigning
When:		ongoing
Background:		From the Centre's inception its members have raised awareness and written submissions to protect local areas such as Gnarabup, Margaret River rivermouth, bushland near the Recreation Centre and much, much more.
Binyabutts campaign
When:		2003-2004
Background:		MRREC sourced old film canisters from Margaret River Photographics and attached a label to them, giving them away free to smokers to use as portable ash trays.
Rock Lobster industry advocacy
When:		2010
Background:		MRREC successfully encouraged the local crayfish industry to move their craypots away from recreational, surfing and fishing beaches due to the craypots attracting sharks.
Oil Spill investigations
When:		1999
Background:		MRREC investigated oil that had washed ashore and discovered that some came from ocean-going vessels dumping their waste oil to avoid in-port disposal costs. MRREC complained to government officials about the dumping and received reply that there was no practical way of enforcing vessel compliance with relevant laws. A later incident of oil globule discovery near Ellensbrook was confirmed to be natural seepage.

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