eDNA for Biodiversity Action
Project Overview
RegenWA’s project eDNA for Biodiversity Action will trial environmental DNA (eDNA) testing on broadacre properties in the Bindoon region of Western Australia to identify threatened and feral species. Data will guide – targeted biodiversity actions such as fencing, revegetation, erosion control, and feral animal management. One demonstration site will be established, and landscape condition will be measured before and after the project using Accounting for Nature (NV-06) audits. The approach ensures efficient use of resources to deliver both biodiversity protection and farm resilience.
Project Goals
- Build farmer skills, knowledge, and confidence in biodiversity measurement, monitoring, and management.
- Implement targeted biodiversity improvements based on actual species presence.
- Integrate biodiversity protection into productive commercial farming systems.
Key Activities
- eDNA sampling and analysis (three farms).
- NV-06 Accounting for Nature audits (Years 1 & 3).
- On-ground restoration works (fencing, planting, erosion control, feral animal control.)
- Two workshops and two webinars.
- Video production and industry paper.
- Social media, newsletters, and website updates.
Project Updates
The RegenWA and Perth NRM Biodiversity in Action project is demonstrating how emerging science and practical agriculture can work together to strengthen biodiversity and farm resilience across Western Australia’s broadacre landscapes.
Delivered through Landcare Australia’s Landcare Agriculture Biodiversity in Action program, the project is trialling the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to identify threatened native species and guide targeted on-ground biodiversity management across farms in the Bindoon region.
Led by Craig Pensini alongside David Broadhurst and the RegenWA team, the project combines producer engagement, science-led monitoring and practical land management to help farmers make more informed biodiversity decisions that also support productive agricultural systems.
Working with James Cook University, Curtin University’s eDNA Frontiers program and Perth NRM, the project uses water, soil and air sampling to develop “tree of life” species profiles for participating farms. Initial findings have already identified threatened fish species, freshwater turtle detections and important riparian biodiversity values, helping direct future restoration and management priorities.
Importantly, the project is focused on practical outcomes for producers. Potential on-ground actions include riparian fencing, erosion control, feral animal management, revegetation and groundcover improvements tailored to species identified through eDNA analysis.
The project also reflects the broader Landcare Ag Biodiversity in Action vision — building producer confidence in biodiversity measurement, monitoring and management while demonstrating that biodiversity outcomes and productive agriculture can be mutually reinforcing. Across Australia, Biodiversity in Action projects are helping producers integrate science, natural capital and practical land stewardship into everyday farm decision-making.
Producer engagement remains central to the project, with workshops, field days, webinars and peer-to-peer learning supporting knowledge sharing across WA’s farming communities. A major upcoming workshop in Bindoon will help producers better understand how eDNA technology can be used to inform targeted management strategies that support both broadacre production and biodiversity outcomes.
Project Updates
Project Milestones
RegenWA has reached a key milestone in the Landcare Australia eDNA project, bringing together researchers, growers and industry partners to review project findings and plan the next phase of work. Following review of the results, a preferred property has been identified for targeted conservation investment.
Field Visits and Evidence Gathering
Senior Research Officer Adam Canning from James Cook University visited Perth to support project activities. Accompanied by the project team and a videographer, he visited sample sites across all three participating properties to review sampling locations, discuss preliminary findings and document project progress. Presentations, demonstrations and discussions were also recorded in the following short project film.
Knowledge Sharing and Producer Engagement
On 5 May, participating landholders and stakeholders attended a workshop covering project objectives, eDNA sampling methods, summarised results and the application of eDNA technology. Shane Herbert from eDNA Frontiers (Curtin University) delivered a practical demonstration of eDNA sampling kits, and participants reviewed a draft grower management and habitat strategy plan template.
Moving Towards On-Ground Action
The project is progressing from monitoring and assessment to conservation planning. A preferred property has been identified for targeted investment to protect at-risk species, and negotiations have commenced with the landholder to determine how conservation outcomes will be implemented and supported.