WHO ARE WE? 

Friends of Parks Inc is the independent state body established to protect and represent the interests of the many individual Friends of Parks groups and Affiliated groups in SA. Together these groups (141 as of 1 June 2007) represent a membership of over 6000 volunteers whose common interest is the protection and enhancement of South Australia's natural and/or cultural heritage.

A listing of our constitution may be viewed by clicking here.
 
 OUR MEMBERSHIP

Friends of Parks Inc groups are community based volunteers who work in genuine partnership with National Parks and Wildlife.

Friends Groups are dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the natural and/or cultural heritage in parks and reserves. Some groups focus upon the NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE in a particular park or a group of parks.

Some groups focus upon the CULTURAL HERITAGE at a particular site, while other groups support a PARTICULAR ACTIVITY that protects or enhances SA's natural and/or cultural heritage.

AFFILIATED with Friends of Parks Inc are numerous volunteer or special interest groups which contribute to the protection and/or enhancement of SA's natural and/or cultural heritage in diverse ways. Some of these groups operate in areas OUTSIDE OF THE FORMAL RESERVE SYSTEM, while others provide OCCASIONAL SUPPORT to park management. Some are SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS that enhance understanding and/or promote and/or enjoy our natural heritage.

 OUR KEY ROLE
  • to provide voluntary assistance to protect and enhance national parks, wildlife, cultural sites, and cultural heritage in SA, in liaison with the Department
  • to recognise the value and contribution that our members provide and to support them in these activities;
  • to provide cultural and social opportunities and activities for members and the general public
  • to raise funds for projects which benefit national parks, wildlife, cultural sites, and cultural heritage in SA
  • to publicise national parks, wildlife, cultural sites and cultural heritage in SA and the partnership support role of volunteers
  • to build upon community responsibility through awareness, support, and enjoyment of national parks, wildlife, cultural sites, and cultural heritage in SA.
 KEY ISSUES
  • ongoing management of threats such as introduced weeds, feral animals, rubbish dumping, vandalism, misuse of facilities
  • increasing community awareness and involvement in the protection of national parks
  • increasing funding for projects
  • active involvement in the development and implementation of park management plans.
 KEY PRINCIPLES
  • Friends of Parks Inc strongly supports the protection of flora, fauna, and important or significant sites.
  • Friends of Parks Inc opposes the MULTIPLE USE OF TRAILS IN PARKS. There may be situations where key principles are not compromised and multiple use of trails may be acceptable. This would be assessed on a case by case basis.
 OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE

Both FRIENDS OF PARKS and AFFILIATED groups operate under a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING with the Department for Environment and Heritage. 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.

 WHERE ARE WE?

There are Friends of Parks Groups throughout SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Any of these groups will welcome your MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRY.