This project was funded under the 2009/2010 regional and community groups funding round for Natural Resource Management by the Government of Western Australia, Lowlands Conservation Association and Serpentine River Group which addressed aquatic biodiversity, Biosecurity and Water Quality within the largest privately held conservation property in Southwestern Australia.  The project was the first of its kind to examine the biology and ecology of the threatened Carter’s Freshwater Mussel.  Key findings showed that several species of native freshwater fish, including the threatened Pouched Lamprey, Carter’s Freshwater Mussel and the iconic Smooth Marron are using the Bush Forever site as a key spawning ground and nursery within an area of the Serpentine River surrounded by land impacted by human activities.  It also showed the benefit of conserving riparian vegetation to shade the river providing thermal refuges for aquatic fauna.  For example, there was up to a seven degree (°C) difference in water temperature between sites within the conservation block and degraded sites within an open, weedy drain and the trees and woody plant debris enhanced native fauna habitat.  Management activities by the landowners are reducing impacts through restricting cattle movements by fencing and restricted access to the river, installing riffles for stream oxygenation and re-planting riparian vegetation to reduce nutrient loads within the system.