What You Can Do This Season

Climate Resilience Through the Noongar Six-Season Calendar

(South West Australia)

For tens of thousands of years, Noongar people have lived in deep relationship with this region, guided by six seasons that reflect subtle shifts in weather, plants, animals, and water.

In a changing climate, these seasons offer something vital: attentiveness, flexibility, and local intelligence. Rather than forcing nature to fit a timetable, we respond to what is actually happening on Country.

🌿 Birak — The Season of the Young

Approx. December–January
Hot, dry, easterly winds, increasing fire risk

Focus: Protection, cooling, and care

On Country & in the Garden

  • Mulch deeply to protect soil and roots from heat

  • Shade young plants and vulnerable food crops

  • Avoid disturbing soil—protect what’s already established

  • Focus on keeping trees and perennials alive, not productive

Water

  • Water early morning or late evening

  • Prioritise trees, shrubs, and food plants

  • Use greywater safely on established plants

Heat & Fire

  • Reduce flammable material near buildings while keeping soil covered

  • Clear gutters and check emergency plans

  • Create cool refuges for people, pets, and wildlife

Birak teaches restraint and vigilance.

🔥 Bunuru — The Season of Adolescence

Approx. February–March
Hottest, driest time; heatwaves and marine stress

Focus: Endurance and conservation

On Country & in the Garden

  • Maintain shade and mulch

  • Accept slowed growth and dormancy

  • Observe which plants cope best—these are future guides

Water

  • Reduce evaporation wherever possible

  • Check irrigation efficiency

  • Hand-water strategically rather than broadly

Food & Living

  • Eat lightly and seasonally

  • Rely on preserved foods

  • Reduce energy use during extreme heat

Bunuru teaches survival, patience, and respect for limits.

🍂 Djeran — The Season of Adulthood

Approx. April–May
Cooling temperatures, shifting winds, first rains

Focus: Repair and preparation

On Country & in the Garden

  • Add compost and organic matter to rebuild soil

  • Begin planting when rains arrive consistently

  • Observe water movement across the land

  • Save seeds from successful plants

Water

  • Prepare rainwater systems

  • Redirect runoff into garden beds

  • Mulch after rain to hold moisture

Community

  • Share surplus plants, seeds, and harvests

  • Join autumn planting or restoration efforts

Djeran teaches reflection and readiness.

🌧 Makuru — The Season of Fertility

Approx. June–July
Cooler weather, rain, storms

Focus: Building foundations

On Country & in the Garden

  • Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials

  • Focus on roots, not rapid growth

  • Protect soil from compaction and erosion

  • Use ground covers to shield bare earth

Water

  • Capture and store rain

  • Slow water across the landscape

  • Let water infiltrate rather than run off

Ecosystems

  • Support revegetation with local native species

  • Protect wetlands, creek lines, and bushland

  • Leave leaf litter for soil life and insects

Makuru teaches renewal through nourishment.

🌱 Djilba — The Season of Conception

Approx. August–September
Cold snaps mixed with warming days; early flowering

Focus: Careful growth and observation

On Country & in the Garden

  • Plant with caution—frosts may still occur

  • Harden plants gradually to sun and wind

  • Mulch early before soils dry

  • Increase plant diversity to spread risk

Water

  • Adjust watering as days warm

  • Deep-water trees to encourage resilience

Food

  • Grow winter greens and early spring crops

  • Preserve surplus and reduce waste

Djilba teaches attentiveness and timing.

🌼 Kambarang — The Season of Birth

Approx. October–November
Warming temperatures, longer dry spells

Focus: Preparation and balance

On Country & in the Garden

  • Transition to heat-tolerant crops

  • Strengthen shade and wind protection

  • Mulch heavily before summer arrives

  • Avoid over-planting water-hungry species

Water

  • Fine-tune irrigation systems

  • Identify heat-stressed areas early

Fire & Heat Planning

  • Review summer fire plans

  • Manage vegetation thoughtfully—not stripped bare

  • Prepare homes and gardens for heat

Kambarang teaches foresight and care for what’s emerging.

Living by the Seasons, Not the Calendar

The Noongar six seasons remind us that climate resilience is not about control—it’s about relationship. When we listen closely to land, water, plants, and weather, we make better decisions.

In a changing climate, this way of living is not only respectful—it is essential.

Season by season, place by place, we learn how to live well on Country.