The Friends of Parks organisation is suitable for people of any age, gender, nationality, occupation and natural ability.

There is something for everybody. No special qualifications are essential.

Volunteer accident insurance is provided under the Government's self-insurance scheme (SAICORP) via the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH).

To claim, volunteers must be financial and engaged in a DEH volunteer activity at the time of the injury.  There must be a record of that activitiy and the volunteer's attendance.

Hence, ensuring your name is recorded in the logbook of your particular Friends Group when attending working bees, meetings etc, is an important safeguard.

It is also important that the activities undertaken have previously been registered on a 'Volunteer Project Commencement Advice' form (the pink form). Confirm this with your group.

Civil liability (with provisions) is also covered by the VOLUNTEERS PROTECTION ACT 2001 legislation. Refer to the Induction document for further details.

Particular activities require appropriate training before those activities can be undertaken.

This ensures your safety and that of the group, while also providing you with the skills you need to carry out the tasks you have selected.

Such training can include: chemical handling, chainsaw use and maintenance, four-wheel drive, venomous animal hazards, bushcare management, and plant identification. Training is provided, as required, through the Friends Group you join.  Funds have been obtained via successful grant applications.

Be a participating member. Groups usually only cover their administrative cost with your membership fees.

Do not carry out any action within a park which is not part of an approved project.

Follow all Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare requirements.

Do not carry out any operation for which specialist training is required, unless you have been trained e.g. chemical spraying requires training in chemical handling.

If you are not sure if a plant is a weed or not - DO NOTHING and then identify.

Last but not least - enjoy yourself!

STEP 1: IDENTIFY A FRIENDS GROUP

• Peruse this site to get a feel for the type of activities we engage in.
• Identify a Friends group in your area of interest.
• Visit their WEBSITE or contact the Friends of Parks Inc Secretariat, which will provide you with contact details.

STEP 2: CONTACT A FRIENDS GROUP

Contact a Friends Group and enquire about what activities they engage in and the types of roles you could enjoy.

Each Friends Group decides upon the range of activities it wishes to undertake and how you contribute depends on what your personal goals are. Activities can focus upon biodiversity conservation and/or cultural heritage projects.

Biodiversity conservation requires a range of strategies that often emphasise bushcare techniques (minimal disturbance weeding) but also can require chemical or biological control of weeds and/or feral animals.

Mapping and/or monitoring of species can provide an opportunity to use or develop knowledge of particular plants or birds. Also photographic skills!

Heritage projects can utilise and develop maintenance and construction skills or research skills as you delve into the history of a site. Not everyone is interested or able to contribute their time when working bees are scheduled.

There are other opportunities available! Producing NEWSLETTERS or PUBLICISING the work of your group or issues at your site; creating INFORMATION DISPLAYS; organising EDUCATIONAL OR CULTURAL EVENTS, or the SOCIAL PROGRAM for your group. And the challenge of FUNDRAISING can exercise and develop the creative talents of others.

• Think about what type of activities you enjoy or skills you might like to aquire.
• Think about the time you wish to commit.
• Attend the Friends' next meeting and/or working bee.

STEP 3: BECOME A MEMBER.
Each Friends Group requires a small joining fee, and operates autonomously, in contact with their District Ranger.
You will receive a copy of INDUCTION DOCUMENT which explains how you can become a responsible and valued contributor.

This scheme brings volunteers into the national parks campgrounds in many beautiful parts of South Australia.

The hosts provide their own caravan or tent that they set up in the camping area at free sites that are made available for use by the Campground Hosts. 

The role of Campground Hosts is essentially one of public relations, and to be a point of contact for both visitors and rangers.

Campground Hosts report to and help the Rangers, and are a popular addition to the role of 'service to the public'.

The duties performed by Campground Hosts vary from park to park depending on location, expected visitor numbers and priorities of the rangers at the time.

Some of the duties may include:
Welcoming visitors, allocating campsites where pre-booking is in operation, issuing permits, assisting campers to choose a site, making visitors aware of any relevant issues as instructed by Rangers.

It is common for Campground Hosts to provide information on walking tracks, local flora and fauna, fire restrictions, pets in parks, favourite picnic spots, etc.

When hosting duties are at a minimum, Campground Hosts can sit back and enjoy their surroundings, read a book or partake in other relaxing pursuits.  At times like this, hosts sometimes offer their services to Rangers to do other tasks such as light maintenance tasks, office duties, surveys and report on the condition of walking trails, etc.

As volunteers, the hosts derive a great deal of pleasure by helping others to enjoy their holiday in the park scene.  They meet many people and make new friendships with visitors and staff who enjoy the pleasant surroundings at the following parks:

For further information on becoming a Campground Host, please contact:

Campground Hosts
Volunteer Support Unit
GPO Box 1047
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8124 4840
Fax: (08) 8124 4850
Email: campgroundhosts@saugov.sa.gov.au