Purpose


The key objectives of the Foundation are to:

conserve-protect

Conserve, protect, enhance and promote
the ecology of the Port River and Barker Inlet Estuary, and the benefits thus provided.

facilitate-monitor

Support, undertake, facilitate and monitor eco-engineering to safeguard shorelines, community assets and the habitat of estuarine species, from rising sea levels.

education-training

Facilitate research, education and training relevant to the conservation, protection and restoration of, and carbon sequestration in, the Port River and Barker Inlet Estuary.

pursue-objects

Pursue the objects of the Foundation in collaboration with local residents, community organisations, industries, corporations, and governments.


Activities


Restoring terrestrial, intertidal and aquatic habitats is the best way to achieve the Foundation's objectives.

The main priorities of the Foundation are:


Shellfish reefs and seagrass beds are the foundation to a healthy marine foodweb and stabilise the seafloor; improving the quality of water.


Shellfish also filter the water of sediments and excess nutrients.

Intertidal areas, and their cover of mangroves and saltmarsh, are integral to the health of aquatic environments.

The impact of past developments, and the risk of rising sea levels, makes shoreline restoration a major priority.

The concept of ‘living shorelines’ is strongly promoted. It emphasises the use of natural systems, rather than relying solely on constructed infrastructure, to provide cost-effective physical protection as well as ecosystem enhancement.

Restoring shorelines, shellfish and seagrass in the Port River and Barker Inlet will improve the ecological condition of the river and estuary through a:

• Stronger foundation to foodwebs

• Seafloor and shoreline stabilisation

• Improved water quality


Latest News


Stay up-to-date with news from restoration projects and community engagement.

May 18, 2023

ROBs research begins in Port River

OzFish in 2022 began deploying Robust Oysters Baskets (ROB) in the inner harbour of the Port River. In […]
April 5, 2023

Signs of seagrass recovery

After the devastating impact of the February heatwave on the seagrass Zostera in the Port River, it was […]
March 29, 2023

Tours and Field trips

ECF has recently contributed to tours, field trips and a school project: Presentation to Urrbrae TAFE students about […]

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