How Nationals Students Are Helping Protect Rottnest Island 

95% of student-athletes registered for UniSport Nationals Perth 2026 have chosen to extend their impact beyond the competition, contributing to initiatives that help protect Western Australia’s unique natural environments. 

Through UniSport Australia’s partnership with everclime, students can make a voluntary $2.50 donation during registration to support three Western Australian conservation projects: the Rottnest Foundation, WA Wildlife and Forever Wild.  

Together, this collective effort will help protect wildlife, ecosystems and natural landscapes across Western Australia. 

Every contribution made through the Environmental Legacy Project will be matched dollar-for-dollar by UniSport, doubling the impact of funds raised while encouraging meaningful student engagement in climate action and sustainability. 

One of the three conservation projects selected for the initiative is the Rottnest Foundation, whose work helps protect the natural, cultural and heritage values of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

Known as home to the world’s largest known quokka population, Rottnest is also recognised for its diverse ecosystems and deep cultural significance. 

Established in 1985, the Rottnest Foundation is an independent Western Australian charity committed to supporting projects that protect the island’s environment, celebrate its heritage and preserve its cultural significance. Through community support, fundraising and conservation initiatives, the Foundation helps care for the unique ecosystems that make Rottnest such a special place. 

Among the projects supported by the Foundation are initiatives to restore native woodlands, improve habitat for local wildlife and contribute to long-term conservation planning across the island. 

A major focus of the Foundation’s work is supporting the conservation of Rottnest Island’s wildlife, including its iconic quokka population. While quokkas are one of Australia’s most recognisable species, they are classified as vulnerable, making ongoing research, monitoring and habitat management essential to their future. 

Through conservation research and monitoring programs, the Rottnest Foundation helps improve understanding of quokka populations while supporting the long-term health of the environments they rely on. 

The Foundation also plays an important role in restoring and caring for the island’s native vegetation. Through revegetation projects, native seedling planting and managing threats such as invasive weeds, these efforts help strengthen the resilience of the island’s natural environment. This includes large-scale environmental projects such as the 45km Wadjemup Bidi trail network and a Woodland Management Plan that aims to plant thousands of native seedlings each year.  

Alongside its environmental work, the Rottnest Foundation recognises the importance of preserving the island’s cultural heritage. Rottnest holds deep significance for Aboriginal communities, and the Foundation supports initiatives that contribute to the protection and recognition of important cultural places and stories, including conservation of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.

Through its range of programs, the Rottnest Foundation continues to play an important role in caring for the island and ensuring its unique environment and stories remain valued for future generations. 

The collective support of students at UniSport Nationals Perth 2026 demonstrates how university sport can extend beyond competition, amplifying the work of the Rottnest Foundation and helping  protect one of WA’s most treasured natural and cultural destinations. 

For more information on the Rottnest Foundation, visit | www.rottnestfoundation.org.au  

About the UniSport Australia x everclime Environmental Legacy Project 

Through a partnership with everclime, UniSport Australia is connecting the university sport community with environmental projects that deliver meaningful conservation outcomes across Western Australia.  

As part of the initiative, students registering for UniSport Nationals Perth can opt in to make a $2.50 contribution towards three WA-based environmental projects. Funds raised will support the Rottnest Foundation, WA Wildlife and Forever Wild, helping protect important ecosystems, wildlife and landscapes across Western Australia. 

Through everclime’s impact platform, every contribution is tracked, providing students with transparency on the projects their support helps fund and the outcomes it contributes towards.  

By coming together through university sport, student-athletes can turn their collective support into meaningful environmental impact that extends well beyond the competition.