New guide to the Great Western Woodlands

• History, culture and natural values of unique region

A new guide to the Great Western Woodlands reveals the history, culture and natural values of the unique region that covers nearly 16 million hectares, stretching from the edge of the Wheatbelt around Southern Cross to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, south towards Esperance and east to the edge of the Nullarbor.

Releasing the guide in Kalgoorlie-Boulder today, Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the woodlands covered an area about the same size as England and regarded as the biggest remaining area of intact Mediterranean-climate woodland on Earth.

"Aboriginal occupation of the area dates to at least 22,000 years ago and the region is rich with indigenous cultural significance," Mr Marmion said.

"The area also supports significant exploration and mining activity with well over 300 operating mines as well as pastoral leases and timber harvesting."

The Minister said the production of the full-colour 160-page guide, published by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), was part of the State Government's $3.8million commitment to develop and implement A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands to protect the area's natural and cultural values.

"I hope the release of the guide will introduce some of the hidden wonders of the area to tourists - a bonus for those that visit and also for the economy of the region," he said.

Mr Marmion also announced the winners of a competition among teachers to develop new educational resources in partnership with DEC, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group and Millennium Kids.

The winners of the teachers' competition were:

• Kristina Wesley of Swan Christian College, Middle Swan for her entry on invertebrates and vegetation identification, biodiversity, human impact and land uses

• Rekha Amarasuriya of The University of Western Australia for her entry on biomes and animals in ecosystems

• Julia Freeman of Schools of Distance and Isolated Education, Leederville for her entry on geography, threats and the Gondwana Link project

• Anna Killigrew of Koora Retreat Centre, Coolgardie for her entry on the history and colonising of the area, surviving the journey and impacts on Aboriginal people

• Susanna Webber of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School for her entry on species and ecosystem protection.

         Fact File

• Great Western Woodlands support more than 3,000 flowering plant species (about 20% of Australia's known flora), 49 mammal, 138 reptile, 14 frog and 215 bird species

• Guide is available through DEC, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group, bookstores and visitor centres

• Liberal National Govt has allocated more than $24m for capital works such as parking, walking trails and visitor information across more than 25 million hectares of national parks, marine parks, State forests, conservation reserves and regional parks

Minister's office  - 6552 6800