About

About Care For Hedland

The Care for Hedland Environmental Association aims to connect people and the environment to create a more sustainable, inclusive and environmentally-aware town. With BHP as Principal Partner since 2008, Care For Hedland receives support without which these programs would not be able to be run.

This is achieved through delivering a diverse range of conservation-based volunteer programs and activities for the Hedland community, which are suitable for all ages and levels of commitment.

Care for Hedland’s programs are divided into three key areas:

1. Circular Waste Management

2. Sustainable Living

3. Marine and Coastal Biodiversity

The Association acts as an effective conduit for the communication of environmental and sustainability information into the community and provides a forum whereby business, industry, government and community can discuss barriers, opportunities and solutions to sustainable development for Hedland and the Pilbara.

Our Strategic Priorities

1. Community: We connect community, forge partnerships and empower people to connect with our local environment.

2. Programs: We facilitate programs that benefit environmental sustainability based on our local communities priorities.

3. Governance & Operations: We foster a safe, welcoming and supportive workplace for our staff and volunteers through robust governance, management and operational policy and practice.

About Port Hedland

Port Hedland is situated on the northwest coast of Western Australia (20°19’S, 118°34’E). Port and South Hedland combined (Hedland) are one of several significant townships found in the Pilbara region.

The port of Port Hedland is Australia’s largest bulk-tonnage port and the largest iron ore export port in the world. The Hedland township has experienced rapid urban and industrial development in the last 40 years following the mining boom and supports a growing population of 15000 people that is estimated to double by 2025.

The town and surrounding Pilbara region represents an ancient landscape with some of the oldest geological examples in the world. The area experiences a harsh climate of arid-tropical conditions across many habitats from coastal to semi-arid and desert ecosystems.

For more information, visit the Port Hedland Visitor Centre website.

Visitor Centre

Hermit crab

Our Environment

Being a coastal township, the Hedland environment includes marine and estuarine ecosystems as well as semi-arid landscapes all of which nurture an array of native species.

Coastal environments of the town comprise diverse habitats of mudflats, mangroves, sandy islands, coastal dunes and beaches. Slightly inland, the landscape changes dramatically displaying dry, broad, sandy plains, supporting a range of drought-tolerant vegetation. Some of the diverse flora and fauna you might see while in Hedland include:

Marine life

Turtles, sharks, whales, dolphins, fish, crocodiles, octopus, crabs, sponges and urchins.

Birdlife

Waterbirds, birds of prey and bushbirds all congregate in areas around the township, as well as sea eagles, osprey, Brahminy kites, oyster catchers, cormorants, gulls, pelicans, wrens, honey-eaters, rainbow bee-eaters, finches, willie wagtails, corellas, ravens and magpie larks.

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Other ways Care for Hedland helps the community!

Care for Hedland engages with numerous stakeholders throughout the year to protect and conserve the local flora, fauna, and overall environment. As a not-for-profit, we actively work in collaboration with various groups to respond to environmental issues surrounding the Hedland and wider Pilbara region. Here are examples of this.

Port Hedland Industries Council – Vertebrate Pest Management Program

PHIC Pest Management factsheet APRIL 2024