The City has a richness of flora and fauna, ranging from forests and heathlands on the Darling Scarp to bushland, rivers and wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain. Many areas are in secure conservation reserves, particularly on the Scarp, where National Parks and Regional Parks cover a large proportion of the area. Many natural areas on the Coastal Plain have been secured through the state government's Bush Forever policy.
Community volunteers
The City works in close partnership with a number of 'Friends' groups in the management of some natural areas.
Comrie Road Wetland
Comrie Road wetland is identified as a high priority site for conservation management by the City and provides an important vegetation remnant amongst a highly developed area.
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve
Ellis Brook Valley, located on Rushton Road in the suburb of Martin, is recognised as the richest wild flower location in the Perth Metropolitan Area. It has over 500 species of wild flowers in a beautiful hidden valley only minutes from Gosnells Town Centre and only a 35 minute drive from Perth.
Gosnells Golf Course Bushland
Located within the Gosnells Golf Course grounds, the Gosnells Golf Course Bushland is one of the City's highest priority biodiversity management sites. It includes areas of wetland vegetation communities and Banksia attenuata – B. menziesii woodland.
Holmes Street Bushland North
Comprising 53.6 hectares, the Holmes Street Bushland North site is considered significant among the areas of high biodiversity conservation value within the City.
Hume Road Wildlife Reserve
The only window into the pre-development landscape of Thornlie, the Hume Road Wildlife Reserve encompasses wetland, Banksia woodland and Marri woodland, and is a haven for birds.
Lander Swamp
Lander Swamp is a seasonally inundated wetland surrounded by urban development. It provides an important refuge for local fauna and is a key biodiversity asset of the area.
Management of conservation areas
The City manages almost 40 natural areas of varying size and biodiversity value, ranging from the 600 hectare Ellis Brook Valley to small areas of several hundred square metres.
Mary Carroll Park wetlands
One of the City’s most important wetlands, Mary Carroll Park wetlands provides important roosting, breeding and summer refuge habitat for waterbirds.
Nicholson Road Wetlands
Of high conservation value, the Nicholson Road Wetlands in Canning Vale provide a window into the past with a relatively undisturbed environment and a high diversity of plants and animals.
Shreeve Road Reserve Wetland
The Shreeve Road Reserve Wetland is a seasonal wetland located between Waterperry Drive and Shreeve Road in Canning Vale. This large wetland exists in a completely urbanised catchment and is large enough to provide habitat for bandicoots and supports a substantial diversity of bird life. With mush of the area considered to be in pristine condition, this location contains some of the most valuable bushland in the City.
Tom Bateman Reserve Bushland
Tom Bateman Reserve Bushland is considered significant among the City’s areas of high biodiversity conservation value. The regionally significant bushland is a part of Bush Forever Site 456.