The North Stirlings Pallinup sub-region is located to the north of the Stirling Ranges in the western end of the South Coast NRM Region. The towns of Gnowangerup, Borden and Ongerup fall within the borders of the sub-region and it takes in the Upper Pallinup Catchment and North Stirling Basin. The region receives about 450mm of rainfall per annum. The soils of the North Stirlings Pallinup sub-region consist predominantly of three different soil duplexes; grey deep sandy duplex, alkaline grey shallow sandy duplex and grey shallow sandy duplex. Many soils are susceptible to water logging, subsurface compaction, subsurface soil acidity, wind erosion, water erosion and water repellence. The vegetation communities of the area vary widely. The northern sections of the sub-region consist of predominantly Mallee heath and Eucalypt woodland with some swamp she-oak along river systems. The southern section consists predominantly of Mallee heath and Jarrah-Marri woodlands. The Stirling Range National Park contains the threatened Montane Heath and Thicket Community as well as several other declared rare and threatened flora species. The Stirling Range National Park is a biodiversity hotspot containing over 1,500 species, of plants of which nearly 90 are endemic, several endangered fauna species and a few short range endemic invertebrates. The rest of the sub-region is mostly cleared with less than 15% of the original pre-European vegetation remaining in the Upper Pallinup area. There are 21 species of declared rare flora and 12 species of priority flora that are found in the remaining vegetation. Industry in the sub-region comprises mixed farming with predominantly cereal cropping production to the north and east, with more livestock (sheep grazing) to the south west. Recreation and tourism are also prominent with part of the Stirling Range National Park falling into the southern section of the sub-region. The Stirling Ranges have a high cultural significance to the Nyoongar people. The Mineng and Goreng people originally lived in and around the Stirlings and the Ranges featured in many of their stories. Feral animals, soil health issues, Phytophthora dieback and human disturbance are major threatening processes in the North Stirlings Pallinup sub-region. Phytophthora dieback is a particular threat to the biodiversity of the Stirling Range National Park with little of the park having escaped infestation. South Coast NRM has funded several projects in the sub-region including projects aimed at mitigating soil health issues, establishing dryland farm forestry and perennial pastures, and controlling Phytophthora dieback in the Stirling Range National Park.