Conservation on Dirk Hartog Island

The state government has begun a process to perserve and protect Dirk Hartog Island by reserving it as a national park.

The island is renowned for its significant conservation values and the agreement with the Wardle family will allow these to be enhanced.

The family owns currently 40ha in the Homestead Bay, 33.2 ha of land including two areas in Sunday Island Bay and one area close to the island's Homestead, as well as an additional 2.5 ha near Turtle Bay.

Dirk Hartog Island has significant biodiversity conservation values with more than 250 native plant species, 84 species of birds and 27 species of reptiles. The Black and White Fairy Wren and the western spiny skink are found nowhere else.

The island is also a major nesting area for Loggerhead Turtles, with at about 400 breading on the north-eastern corner.

Many of the 15 native mammal species originally found on the island are now locally extinct but 11 of these species will be reintroduced after the Department of Conservation and Land Management undertakes a resoration program of the island's vegetation and eradicates feral cats and goats & sheep . 

The island will become a secure heaven for threatened species and will enhance the overall values of the area that make Shark Bay worth of World Heritage Listing.

The Wardle Family works close together with the Deparment of Environment and Conservation. The Cooperation will enhance the Tourism Experience on the island.

Programs will include restoration of the island's campsites by the Department and Waste Management to dispose of all litter and waste from the island in a sustainable and ecological way. 

For further information on the Department of Environment and Conservation, click here