Eddy and Donna Wajon
Conservation landowners, Boxwood Hill
“So we were very interested in properties that were threatened, that were biologically diverse, that could be cleared at any time, or had been cleared before, and could be again… This property is an attempt from us to hold the bulwark, and to set an example for other people that in fact it can be done, you can do something, and it isn’t difficult, but you have to want to do it.”
Eddy and Donna Wajon: Chingarrup Sanctuary
Meet Eddy and Donna Wajon from Chingarrup Sanctuary, the first private property purchased for conservation in the Gondwana Link.
Chingarrup Sanctuary brings life to the land
With the aim to protect and restore biodiversity, in 2002 Eddy and Donna Wajon purchased two properties within the Gondwana Link, including Chingarrup Sanctuary. This property spans 572 hectares near Boxwood Hill, and has become a thriving field studies center, attracting over a thousand visitors and researchers. The couple's efforts to rehabilitate the land include direct seeding and creating habitats for native wildlife, notably Malleefowl, which have established nesting mounds on the property. The sanctuary showcases rich biodiversity, and to date 780 fauna species and 575 plant species have been identified. Eddy and Donna have fostered a community of scientists and nature lovers, sharing their conservation journey and encouraging others to participate in protecting the environment. Their commitment demonstrates that individuals can make significant impacts on conservation, inspiring others to take action for the future of Australia’s unique ecosystems.
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.