Our Projects
The Rottnest Foundation works in partnership with the Rottnest Island Authority, corporate partners and funders,
in the delivery of projects that ‘Conserve the essence of Wadjemup’.
Projects identified and supported by the Rottnest Foundation are of significant cultural, heritage or environmental importance to the island.
We are seeking both individual donations and partnerships with corporate and philanthropic organisations to deliver our new projects.
Wadjemup Conservation and Interpretation Centre
NEW PROJECT
Purpose built terrestrial conservation centre, with public access and education spaces, quokka welfare centre and research facilities.
The proposed Wadjemup Conservation Centre will seek to be a state-of-the-art conservation facility with an emphasis on visitor engagement and showcasing the island’s outstanding natural environments.
Bickley Military Heritage Precinct
NEW PROJECT
Rottnest Island has numerous WWII defence heritage sites and structures across the Island. The remnant military structures and features are in various states of repair ranging from fully restored buildings through to rapidly deteriorating and unstable ruins.
The renewal of the heritage structures and features including a major refurbishment of the Bickley Battery trails and military assets is a strategic focus.
Woodlands Restoration and Expansion
ONGOING PROJECT
Restore the island’s natural habitat prior to European settlement and conserve the woodland ecosystems for future generations by revegetating 53 hectares of Wadjemup with 70,000 seedlings.
Wadjemup Bidi Walk Trail Expansion
NEW PROJECT
Wadjemup Rottnest Island is currently home to four Bidi Walk Trails; Gabbi Karniny Bidi, Karlinyah Bidi, Ngank Wen Bidi and Wardan Nara Bidi. An expansion of the existing walk trail network will improve the walk trail experience and opportunities for visitors of all abilities to engage with the natural and cultural environment.
Boodja Kaartdijin Honouring Traditional Owners
NEW PROJECT
The Boodja Kaartdijin project will honour the Whadjuk Noongar people as Traditional owners of Wadjemup, promote the rich cultural heritage of Wadjemup/Rottnest Island, and provide an inclusive educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Up to 8 Boodja Kaartdijin sites will be located across Wadjemup/Rottnest Island to share knowledge about Aboriginal culture and Noongar stories that are unique to Wadjemup. Some of the sites link with the existing and proposed expansion of the Bidi Walk Trail allowing visitors to undertake a self-guided experience and explore the unique cultural and natural landscape on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island.
Wadjemup Bidi
ONGOING PROJECT
The Wadjemup Bidi project consists of a 45 km network of trails that facilitates public access and connection to the Island’s rich natural features, abundant wildlife & unique cultural heritage whilst also providing a strategy to minimise the pressures of tourism on the natural environment.
To date the Rottnest Foundation has contributed $1,224,313 towards the implementation of this project.
Wadjemup Aboriginal burial ground conservation project
ONGOING PROJECT
The Rottnest Foundation in partnership with the Rottnest Island Authority, and funding from Lotterywest, will continue to support the respectful acknowledgement and restoration of the Aboriginal burial ground.
Rottnest Island Woodland Management Plan
ONGOING PROJECT
The Rottnest Island Woodland Management Plan aims to plant 5,000 seedlings per year with a total of 70,000 seedlings planned to revegetate 53 hectares of woodland habitat.
Quokka research and monitoring
ONGOING PROJECT
The Rottnest Foundation in partnership with The Margaret River Chocolate Co. supports ongoing research into the health and habitat of the quokka.
Major Partnerships
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HBF has been a keen partner of the Rottnest Foundation. In 2022/23 HBF provided funding to support building capacity at the Wadjemup /Rottnest Island Nursery. Plants grown at the nursery from seed or cuttings are used to revegetate the woodland, salt lakes and coastal areas of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.
HBF staff continue to contribute to the sustainability of the island with organised staff volunteering days. In 2023 four corporate engagement activity days were undertaken. Including tree guard removal at Bickley, tree planting in the Woodlands area and sea spurge collection at Nancy Cove.
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The Rottnest Foundation value its partnership with Rottnest Express who facilitate island access to enable volunteer engagement for many of the Foundations projects.
Rottnest Express generously provided 1,777 return ferry fares, totalling $190,500 of in-kind support, which enabled volunteers to travel to the Island to undertake revegetation as part of the Woodlands Restoration and Expansion Project and during the development of the Wadjemup Bidi.
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The Rottnest Foundation partnered with BHP to develop the Karlinyah and Wardan Nara sections of the Wadjemup Bidi (a 45km network of trails) The partnership included the of construction of beach access, revegetation of denuded area, interpretative elements and volunteer engagement opportunities.
A $532,800 partnership funded all components of the of the Wardan Nara Bidi and Karlinyah Bidi sections delivered between 2014-2018.
An additional $26,300 was provided to complete the remaining Interpretive Signage for the Wardan Nara Bidi section of the Wadjemup Bidi during 2016-2017.
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The Rottnest Foundation secured a $500,440 Lotterywest Community Spaces Grant to support the restoration and respectful memorialisation of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground on Rottnest Island.
The Rottnest Foundation continues to work with the Rottnest Island Authority, Lotterywest and the Aboriginal community to support this important reconcilation project for Western Australia.
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An ongoing partnership with the Margaret River Chocolate Co has seen $40,000 donated to the Rottnest Foundation to support quokka conservation and research.
In 2016, the Margaret River Chocolate Company committed to donate part proceeds from sales of their ‘Chokka the Quokka’ merchandise to the Rottnest Foundation to support research and monitoring of the quokka population on Rottnest Island.
Rottnest Island is essential for the survival of the quokka species, which is listed as vulnerable under ICUN (2014).