The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has been recognised for its biodiversity projects in this year’s World Environment Day Awards.

The Perth Biodiversity Project and South West Biodiversity Project were awarded the Department of Sustainability and Environment Biodiversity Award, which was introduced this year to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity.

WALGA president Troy Pickard said the aim of the projects were to increase the capacity of local government in land management and conservation.

“These projects are particularly successful in that they involve collaboration between all spheres of government, industry, and community groups, and the development of local biodiversity strategies and specifically tailored training opportunities,” Cr Pickard said.

“The identification of biodiversity assets in the early stages of land use planning prevents these natural assets being seen as a development constraint later in the planning framework.”

The award was presented by the United Nations Association of Australia.