Dear Friends of Parks member groups,

To further support the substantial work undertaken by Friends of Parks groups across South Australia’s national park reserves and other important conservation-based initiatives, the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has approved the Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program 2023-24.

The Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program offers grants of up to $5,000 per application, with funding of up to $175,000 available in 2023–2024. Groups may apply for more than one grant using a separate application for each.

The Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program is focused on conservation-based activities including the protection of biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage or European heritage activities across national parks and reserves, and the broader landscape where the outcomes are consistent with the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This may also include the purchase of minor plant/equipment and other materials/services that supports a group’s project conservation outcomes. Grant funding is available for activities up to 12 months in duration, with the project commencing when payment is received.

Grant applications are to be made through the department’s online Grants Management System.
Applications close at 2pm on Monday 16 October 2023 (ACST).

For information on this year’s Small Grants Program please refer to the:

Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions

It is always a heartening experience to be working with volunteers who willingly give up their day or weekend to contribute to a worthwhile cause. One such example was the weeding day recently held at the site of an endangered orchid population in the Clare Valley.  

Twelve volunteers met on Saturday 18th June at the site of the largest known population of the White Beauty Spider-orchid Caladenia (syn. Arachnorchis) argocalla. Threatened Plant Action Group (TPAG) members met with Native Orchid Society (NOSSA) volunteers and Clare locals to remove the invasive weed Topped Lavender from an area immediately surrounding one of the larger patches of the orchid.  

We were fortunate to have sunny mild weather, and the mood was similarly warm and convivial. People shared experiences and became acquainted with each other while hand-pulling or lopping the small lavender seedlings and shrubs. The orchid was not in flower, although a few leaves had started to emerge. 

The White Beauty Spider-orchid is nationally endangered, with a distribution mostly confined to the Clare Valley, and some smaller populations in the Adelaide Hills. The target site for our weeding day has the largest population, and in a good year more flowering plants can be seen here than all other populations combined. 

The population was officially recorded for the first time more than 20 years ago, and since then various groups or government agencies have had responsibility for managing the population, including the Northern and Yorke Landscapes Board and Trees For Life. Earlier this year, TPAG secured a Friends of Parks Partnerships Grant to help manage the site for 3 years. Sevenhill Cellars winery is a partner in the project, and is providing a substantial financial co-contribution. General Manager Jonathan O’Neill acknowledges the importance of the population for the species, and is committed to ensuring the project makes a significant difference to the security and future of the orchid. 

Already contractors have cleared Topped Lavender from about 8 ha at the site, and our intrepid volunteers added 0.5 ha to the tally. Sevenhill Cellars sustained the volunteers’ spirits with generous servings of chocolate brownies, followed by a hearty soup and slices of pasty at lunch time. A clever ruse, guaranteed to see people coming back next year!

Images: Caladenia argocalla (photos by J Quarmby) 

Hello,

 We are excited to share the fresh new-look website of the Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park. Please see the attached Communique for further information about the new website which you can explore here: friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au

Below is an attached file that contains more information about the website
Communique from the Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park 5Aug2022

Kind regards,

 Jim Spiker

On Tuesday 28 September Nature Play SA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Green Adelaide and the Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park are running a series of walks through Scott Creek Conservation Park. The morning session is aimed at families and afternoon sessions will explore fire-affected areas.

Into the wild: a walk where bandicoots dig and blue wrens sing

Explore the unique world of nature. We’ll discover tracks and traces of marsupials such as endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots; learn bird calls; observe native orchids; and hear fascinating stories from some unique flora and fauna found in Scott Creek Conservation Park.

Times: 9.00am – 10.00am 10.30am – 11.30am
Location: Almanda Mine carpark, Dorset Vale Road
Cost: $5 + GST and Booking fee
Booking essential as walks are capped.

Book here