Rainy Spring weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of participants in the Dolphin Research Institute’s 2017 Walk for Western Port, held on Sunday 22 October.
The walk brings people from as far as the Yarra Valley, to gain fresh and positive experiences of Western Port’s wetlands and coastal mangroves.
“We have a huge task to improve perceptions about the importance of coastal wetlands, mangroves and Western Port as a whole”, said Jeff Weir, the Institute’s Executive Director. “This is a day to celebrate the wonders of Western Port and build stewardship for our bay”.
Participants were reminded of the long history of stewardship and living around the bay thanks to Peter Aldenhoven, President of Willum Warrain, who shared stories about the traditional owners relationship to Western Port.
Environmental displays from Boomerang Bags and Friends of the Hooded Plover, along with entertainment from local magician Lachlan Wilde and Fairy Emma’s face painting, added to the day.
Many walkers were Ambassadors from the Institute’s 100 ‘i sea, i care’ Ambassador schools. They will share their Western Port experiences with their school communities, creating ripples that will touch a wide audience.
The Institute wishes to thank all participants and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for their support with the event.
Planning has begun for the next walk in October 2018.
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Learning at 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Colouring in at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Learning at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Bottles and friends at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Volunteers 2017 at the Walk for Western Port
- Fairy Emma at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Participants at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Hooded Plover group at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Magic with Lachlan Wilde at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Learning at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Participants at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Participants at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Prize Winners a the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Participants at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2018 Australian Miss Galaxy Winner at the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Learning at 2017 Walk for Western Port
- 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers during 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers on lookout in Warringine Reserve during the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers on boardwalk during the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers on boardwalk during the 2017 Walk for Western Port
- Walkers in Warringine Reserve during the 2017 Walk for Western Port
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