Alcoa employees dig in to restore Challenger Beach

Some 400 new native seedlings were recently planted at Kwinana’s Challenger Beach, in WA, thanks to the efforts of Alcoa Kwinana Alumina Refinery employees and longstanding partner Perth NRM.

The combined team planted spinifex, salt bush, daisy bush, berry bush and fan flower seedlings to help with ongoing revegetation of the dunes as part of this year’s planting season.

Natural resource management organisation Perth NRM is committed to coastal restoration at the popular beach south of Perth. The project, now in its 15th year, aims to improve and maintain the ecological viability of the coastal reserve, while also building capacity and understanding of coastal ecological processes in the community and with local schools.

Kwinana Alumina Refinery Manager David Feast said protecting the environment was a priority for Alcoa and employee volunteering was part of the company’s culture.

“It’s great to see so many of our employees again taking part in the annual planting day at Challenger Beach,” Mr Feast said.

“We are so lucky to work right next to such a beautiful part of the coastline and this is a great way to remind ourselves we all have a role to play in keeping it beautiful.”

Perth NRM Coastal and Marine Program Manager Vanessa McGuiness said the condition of Challenger Beach had improved enormously thanks to the long-term partnership with Alcoa.

“The beach and dunes have changed considerably since the inception of the partnership through dune revegetation, resulting in increased ecological functioning,” Ms McGuiness said.