We think you’ll love the warmth and insights in our latest Heartland Journeys story by zoologist Tim Gamblin.

Drawing on personal experience, scientific knowledge and a love of nature, Tim explores the remarkable peatlands of the Walpole Wilderness area: “Standing in a remote peat feels like stepping into another realm. Even more so when you’re crawling beneath tea tree and sedges in the dark peat channels, looking at plants and evidence of fauna and feeling much like a hobbit.”

Empodisma peatlands, found from Cape Naturaliste to east of Albany, are at the heart of the story. Carnivorous plants, sunset frogs, small burrowing crayfish and quokkas are among the species supported by these ecosystems.

Tim’s story highlights the importance of the 2023 listing of ‘Empodisma peatlands of Southwestern Australia’ as an Endangered Threatened Ecological Community, and the major research effort underway through the PEAT Southwest Project.

Image caption: In a peatland near Walpole, Dr Emily Hoffmann studies sunset frogs. Mt Frankland rises in the distance. Image credit: Holly Winkle.