Basil Schur
Senior Project Manager, Green Skills
Basil grew up in Zimbabwe in a farming family of Jewish heritage, and came to Western Australia in 1981 to begin university. Basil is a passionate, energetic and dedicated worker for the environment and has been so for over four decades. He has initiated and implemented a huge range of projects and events. In 2021, he won the Australian Government’s Individual Landcarer Award, which recognises individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and significant commitment to landcare.
Basil started working with Green Skills in Denmark in 1989. In his role as a Senior Project Manager he plans, implements and oversees a wide range of projects linked to community development and ecological restoration. He is a champion and ambassador of the Gondwana Link effort and was pivotal in the early expansion of Gondwana Link projects to the west of the Stirling Range (Koi Kyeunu-ruff). Key efforts in this area include leading Green Skills’ work on the Hordacres’ Balijup farm near Tenterden, especially the creation of a cat and fox-free wildlife sanctuary on the property, and instigating Green Skill’s purchase of the Tootanellup eco-restoration property near Rocky Gully.
Basil’s projects seek Noongar cultural engagement on country by Elders and Rangers, and the involvement of citizen scientists and the community. A key focus and strength of his work is building long term collaborations, including with farmers, and enriching landcare and eco-restoration projects with eco-art events and exhibitions. He is a keen participant in the Friends of Nowanup. Wetlands restoration, biodiversity conservation, waste minimisation, community gardening and community education are further interests and passions.
Balijup farm: family, people and nature working together
Alan Hordacre and Basil Schur tell the heart-warming story of Balijup farm, near Tenterden. Balijup shows how conservation, farming and forestry can co-exist, boosted since 2012 by the enthusiastic collaboration between conservation group Green Skills and the Hoardacre siblings - Alan, Richard and Anne - who own the farm.
Balijup Farm and Fauna Sanctuary
Listen to current co-owner Alan Hordacre and others describe the important work taking place at Balijup Farm, including the fully fenced Fauna Sanctuary.
Balijup Farm and eco-sanctuary from above
Experience flying above a wandoo woodland canopy. This film features drone aerial photography of the Balijup Farm and Eco-Sanctuary in April 2020.
Birds on the edge: Helping threatened shorebirds
The salt lakes around Cranbrook are a highlight in the Great Southern. This short film showcases community and landholder work to fence and rehabilitate the foreshores of their salt lakes to protect threatened shorebirds, like the Hooded Plover.
Balijup: A jewel in the Gondwana Link
From Green Skills, this film introduces Balijup - a special property in the Great Southern region and a vital link in the Gondwana Link.
Giving back to country: Chingarrup Sanctuary
From Green Skills, this film highlights the wonderful environmental restoration and citizen science activities carried at Chingarrup Sanctuary - a 576 hectare bush property near Boxwood Hill, on Western Australia's south coast.