Department for Environment and Water

Ever spotted these curious little pods on our beaches and wondered what they were? They're seagrass seeds—mighty contributors to our coastal biodiversity! Seagrass meadows provide food and shelter for marine life, improve water quality, and even help fight climate change by storing carbon. But many of these vital habitats have been lost over the years. That’s where projects like Seeds for Snapper come in! Volunteers are collecting seagrass seeds to help restore meadows along our coast. Heading to the beach this summer? Keep an eye out for seagrass flowers and seeds, snap a photo, and be part of this citizen science effort! Find out more about how you can help restore seagrass meadows here: https://lnkd.in/gfidHq2K #seagrassmeadows #beaches #environment #biodiversity

From all of us at the Department for Environment and Water, we wish you and your family a happy and safe festive season and a very happy new year. We look forward to keeping you up to date in 2025 with all the work DEW is doing across the state to manage our previous environment, natural resources and cultural and heritage places. We also can't wait to bring you practical advice and information to help you better connect with your environment at home, and hopefully inspire you to take actions that will help South Australia conserve, sustain and prosper for generations to come!

It might look like just another ordinary pole, but this pole has been an important part of our state’s heritage for over 60 years. And now, it’s official!   This curious artefact is known as the Tribute to James Stobie, the inventor of SA's famous "Stobie Pole", and points to the expansion of our state's electricity industry in the first half of the twentieth century. The pole was provisionally entered into the South Australian Heritage Register and in November, the State Heritage Council confirmed the tribute as a State Heritage Place under the Heritage Places Act (1993). Which is fitting because 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of this bona fide South Aussie icon! Erected in 1960 to commemorate Stobie and his invention, the tribute incorporates a 1924 Stobie pole removed from the Freeling to Templers line, the first line erected by the Adelaide Electric Supply Company (AESCo) during its expansion into country SA. With its unique blend of steel and concrete, the pole showcases the ingenuity that made the widespread electrification of our state possible.  Over the years, the Stobie has not just become a familiar landmark in our city and suburbs but an inviting canvas for budding artists and communities looking to beautify their neighbourhoods. You can see some lovely examples of Stobie pole art below.  You might like to consider painting a Stobie pole in your suburb, but remember you’ll need written permission from SA Power Networks first. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eRTkFgS5 #stobiepole #stobiepoleart

Since 2022, the Department for Environment and Water has hired 15 new Aboriginal park rangers as part of a $5 million initiative to support First Nations leadership in caring for Country. The rangers have been employed to work in national parks across SA, including the Fleurieu Peninsula, Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Far West Coast, Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island and are playing an invaluable role in conserving our natural landscapes, sharing cultural knowledge, and ensuring park visitors have a safe and memorable experience. The Aboriginal Rangers Program is part of a broader commitment that aims to ensure First Nations knowledge is central to how we manage and protect our parks, for generations to come. That commitment also includes a co-management model for some parks, forging a partnership between the state government and Aboriginal groups that combines traditional knowledge with contemporary park management and which helps to advance the process of reconciliation and matters relating to traditional land ownership. Learn more about how we’re working together in South Australia’s national parks: https://lnkd.in/gxUCvfz9 #npws #environment

This year we've been sharing our favourite stories, announcements, achievements and milestones from across the Department for Environment and Water, from across our great state. Today, for our final wrap of the year, we're taking a look back at some of the stories that struck a chord with you and were among the most popular articles published on our Good Living blog. Our weekly Five Things wrap of the week will be back in early 2025. Until then, have a safe and happy festive season and we hope you have some time to get out and explore the best that SA's beautiful natural environment and cultural and heritage places have to offer. Our thanks to National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia, Friends of Parks and Nature, Cleland Wildlife Park, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, South Australia, Heritage South Australia, Landscape Boards of South Australia, Murray-Darling Basin Authority City of Adelaide and all our friends and partners for helping us tell so many wonderful and important stories in 2024! Read our full wrap of the top 10 Good Living blogs you loved in 2024 https://lnkd.in/gNx6HVVn

This #WildlifeWednesday, we're excited to announce some great news for endangered species in South Australia's Far North!    A new $3 million partnership has been established between the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species Ltd (FAME) designed to boost the state's biodiversity.    With 11 projects planned over 3 years, including relocating bilbies, restoring bassian thrushes and protecting threatened plants, the aim is to create 3 new safer havens, increase climate resilience and create potential refuges for endangered plants and animals.    Safer havens are large unfenced areas where feral animals are substantially reduced to allow reintroduced native animals to thrive.    These projects continue the work already undertaken as part of the landscape conservation program, Bounceback, which saw DEW and FAME work together to establish safer havens for the reintroduction of mammals extinct in the wild.     We can't wait to get started! Full story: https://bit.ly/dew_fame #biodiversity #endangeredspecies #bounceback #environment #southaustralia #southaustralianenvironment

You may have seen them driving around town. You may have one on your own car. But did you know that SA’s Koala State number plates are not just a great way to make a statement in traffic, but are making a real difference to the fortunes of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in South Australia? $50 from every plate sold is set aside to help the individuals and organisations that give so much of their time to help animals in need. The first recipients of the new South Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants pilot program were recently announced, with 13 individuals and not-for-profit organisations in the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sector sharing in a total $50,000 in funding. The recipients will each receive a grant up to $5000 to help pay for equipment, supplies, training and veterinary services to support their important work. About 2200 Koala State plates have been sold since the scheme was introduced in July 2023. The plates cost $151, which includes a $70 plate fee, $31 reallocation fee for vehicles already registered in SA and a $50 one-off donation for our wildlife. To purchase your Koala State plate, visit ezyplates.sa.gov.au A second round of grants applications will open in early 2025. Read more about SA's Koala State plates https://lnkd.in/gJuriVUu   #koalaplates #southaustralianwildlife

The Coast Protection Board summer newsletter is out now! In this edition, the latest on the 2024 Coast Protection Grants Program, how drones are helping us monitor coastal changes on Yorke Peninsula beaches and using satellite imagery to estimate seafloor depth on the metro coast! Follow the link to read all the stories featured in this edition! https://lnkd.in/gNxQhnMx If you're not already a subscriber, sign up get the latest news straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/gQvaPdmi #coastprotection #southaustralianbeaches

South Australia is bracing for some hot weather over the next few days. We can't control the weather, but thankfully there are lots of things we can do to keep cool at home, and make sure our furry, scaly, finned and feathered friends are also comfortable as the mercury rises. It's also important to know how to care responsibly for our wildlife in the hot weather and know what to do if you encounter a sick or injured animal in a national park or in your neighbourhood. Follow the links below for some practical tips and useful information. How to help wildlife in the hot weather https://lnkd.in/g7wXeSBB 10 tips to keep you and your house cool this summer:  https://lnkd.in/g3sqjXUX How to keep your pets cool in the hot weather:  https://lnkd.in/gbzvFVJw #SouthAustralia #Hotweather #Pets #Wildlife #Summer #keepcool

Don't miss out on this two-day conference, showcasing the latest trends and innovations to reduce emissions and build resilience for business and industry. Registrations are now open.