MEMBERS OF FRIENDS OF PARKS INC are part of the Volunteers In Parks Scheme developed by the Department to support the preservation of flora, fauna, cultural, and built heritage of SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S PARKS NETWORK.

Friends of Parks Inc groups are community based volunteers who work in genuine partnership with the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH). 

Worldwide, the long term survival of the public reserve system is becoming more dependent on volunteer support and community involvement. Through their 'Volunteers in Parks Scheme' the Department recognises and welcomes the support of the community in the management and preservation of our biodiversity and cultural heritage within South Australia's Parks network.

Both FRIENDS OF PARKS member groups and AFFILIATED groups operate under a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING with the Department. Groups individually report to and are supported by their DISTRICT RANGER . The activities of Friends Groups are jointly planned with DISTRICT staff in accordance with PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS and philosophies, with consistent standards, designs, and sharing of expertise.

Each Group is self-supporting and its members pay an annual subscription to belong to that group . Fund raising augments this revenue, and in addition, groups are able to apply for GRANTS from a number of sources.

Management of the state parks are structured around regional and district units. The regions reflect, as near as possible, SA's bioregions so that common issues and strategies can be shared and dealt with more effectively.

There are seven regions that are subdivided into Districts. Within each Region there is a Regional Office, which role is to support and co-ordinate the management at the District level. The District Ranger is responsible for co-ordinating the management of parks and staff within his/her District.

The District Ranger is often responsible for a large number of parks, for which management must be co-ordinated with national, regional and state priorities. There are a hierachy of plans and strategies within which the management of a particular park is situated. These plans and strategies increasingly reflect regional approaches to problems that are shared amongst land managers beyond the reserve boundary.

Unfortunately, staffing levels and resources are not large and often the Department is being asked to do more with less. Friends Groups are able to support the management of our parks by sourcing funding and undertaking projects.

The District Ranger will appoint a Liason Ranger for your Friends Group.

Volunteer Support (formerly Community Liaison) is a unit within the Department for Environment and Heritage.  Its role is to co-ordinate and support community involvement within the Parks system. It has been responsible for developing the various roles individuals undertake within the Volunteers in Parks scheme beyond its conceptual stage to one in which there are clear roles and mutual understanding between the Department staff and volunteers, and the policy and organisational structures to facilitate and support them. The various functions volunteers may now adopt within the scheme include: Friends of Parks, Campground Hosts.

Although Friends of Parks Inc is an independent body, in recognition of our special partnership, the Department provides Friends of Parks Inc with administrative support through the Volunteer Support Unit.

Departmental staff can also contribute voluntarily through the Volunteers in Parks scheme.  The Volunteer Support Unit comprises:

Kosette Lambert - Manager
Pam Smith - Senior Administrative Officer
Margaret Gallary - Administrative Officer
Gwynne Gray - Administrative Support Officer