Friends of Parks facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Type | Umbrella organisation |
| Headquarters | Adelaide, South Australia |
|
Membership
|
5,000 (2016) |
|
President (2015–)
|
Duncan MacKenzie |
| Website | Friends of Parks |
Friends of Parks Incorporated is a special group in South Australia. It helps connect many smaller volunteer groups who care for national parks and historic places. Think of it like a big team that supports over 5,000 volunteers! These volunteers work hard to protect and improve South Australia's beautiful natural areas and important historical sites.
This organization is an umbrella group. This means it brings together 113 individual volunteer community groups. Each of these groups is linked to a specific national park or historic site.
The main goals of these "Friends" groups are:
- To let people help manage national parks and historic sites.
- To raise money for parks, historic places, and social events for the groups.
- To tell more people about national parks, historic sites, and what the Friends groups do.
- To hold fun cultural and social events for members, staff, and the public.
Each "Friends" group manages its own money. They get funds from membership fees and by holding fundraising events. Also, the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) offers "Friends Grants." Individual groups can apply for these grants for specific projects they want to do.
Contents
History of Friends of Parks
The very first "Friends" group started in 1980 at Fort Glanville Conservation Park. There was already a history group there. The second group was formed at Ferguson Conservation Park in Stonyfell.
In 1983, the National Parks and Wildlife Service helped set up the Friends of Old Government House in Belair National Park. This showed how well the "Friends" idea worked. Many more groups were started in the years that followed. In 1993, the main Friends of Parks umbrella group officially became an incorporated organization.
How Friends of Parks Works
A special team in Adelaide called the Volunteer Support Programs Unit helps manage all the different groups. Each "Friends" group works with a Liaison Ranger. This helps make sure their work fits with the goals of the DEW and how the park is managed.
In 2015–16, volunteers from "Friends" groups did a lot of work. They contributed the same as 11,161 full days of volunteer work to South Australia's protected areas. This shows how much they care and how much they help.
Places with Friends Groups
Many parks and historic sites in South Australia have "Friends" groups. These groups help look after these important places.
Parks
Buildings
Other Places
- Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- Gamble Garden
- Gulf St Vincent
- Heysen Walking Trails and other Walking Trails
- State Herbarium of South Australia
