The two year Fitz-Stirling Priority Place project will conserve and restore the Fitz-Stirling Priority Place by implementing key management actions for its fauna, flora, threatened ecological communities and people. NSPNR will be focused on integrated pest control, targeting foxes, cats and rabbits as well as habitat restoration & protection.
(Fitz-Stirling Priority Place (SNS-PPP-MU37-RP1))
July 2024 – June 2026
Protecting the Fitz-Stirling: A Community Effort
Reflections from NSPNR Project Officer, Sam Earle - August 2026
After two years of coordinated work, the original Fitz-Stirling Priority Place project has now wrapped up, leaving behind some impressive results and, importantly, a stronger community focus on protecting our local environment.
One of the highlights of the project was the annual Feral Animal Tally, which brought landholders and community members together across the region to tackle the ongoing challenge of feral animals. This year, the tally was held across two weekends in Gnowangerup and Ongerup, with 10 teams taking part across our North Stirling Pallinup region.
Together, the participating groups removed 117 foxes, 2 feral cats and 130 rabbits from the landscape. A fantastic contribution to reducing the impact of pest animals on our native wildlife and agricultural landscapes.
The tally was also a great opportunity to come together, share knowledge and learn more about coordinated pest management. Community breakfasts were held in both Gnowangerup and Ongerup, with presentations from NSPNR Executive Officer Caroline House and Licensed Pest Management Technician Greg Elliott, who shared insights into the work being undertaken across the catchment and the different methods available to landholders.
Behind the scenes, the broader Fitz-Stirling project delivered integrated pest control across an impressive 55,000 hectares, targeting foxes, cats and rabbits through a combination of 1080 baiting, warren fumigation & destruction, ground shooting and Calici virus release. This work was carried out between September 2025 and June 2026, with the aim of reducing pest animal numbers throughout the Fitz-Stirling corridor and supporting the protection of important species such as Malleefowl and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos.
The success of this project has only been possible through the combined efforts of landholders, contractors, volunteers, community organisations and project partners. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed along the way, and especially those who continue to get involved in coordinated pest management across our region.
While this part of this project has come to an end, the work certainly doesn’t stop here. The lessons, partnerships and momentum built through the Fitz-Stirling project are helping shape the next stage of integrated pest management across the North Stirling Pallinup region.
This project was funded by the Australian Government under the Saving Native Species Program and South Coast Natural Resources Management as a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners Panel, and has been delivered by North Stirling Pallinup Natural Resources.
