To mark the 100th edition of the Friends of Parks and Nature Newsletter, we’re taking a brief look back at how Friends of Parks and Nature Inc. first began.
Today, more than 150 groups and over 5,000 volunteers care for South Australia’s natural places – a legacy built on passion and community spirit.
The Friends of Parks scheme was launched in 1982 by the then Minister for Environment, the Hon. David Wotton, and supported by the NPWS Community Liaison Unit. Two groups had already formed, the Fort Glanville Historical Association Inc. (1980) and Friends of Ferguson Conservation Park (1982).
Early champions from the Nature Conservation Society of SA, including Agnes Jackson and Penny Robertson, helped drive the vision. Penny, a natural history lecturer, saw opportunities for students to volunteer in parks… and early discussions with NPWS leaders helped the idea gain momentum.
Minister Wotton later reflected on the broader challenges, such as limited resources within parks and rising concerns about issues like pest plants, fire and land access. Consultative committees were formed to bring communities and agencies together. At the same time, public interest in getting involved was growing.
Dr. Barbara Hardy strongly championed the volunteer concept, while unions raised concerns about roles being replaced… but through negotiation, common ground was found.
Much early momentum was thanks to the Manager of the Community Liaison unit, Dene Cordes, whose dedication helped turn the idea into a state-wide movement.
At the AGM in 2023, the meeting voted to change the name from Friends of Parks Inc. to Friends of Parks and Nature Inc.
From tentative beginnings and lengthy negotiations (and many more people who cannot all be named in this short wrap up), Friends of Parks and Nature grew into a volunteer network built on shared stewardship and community leadership.
Today, every group, every volunteer and every hour contributed adds to this ongoing legacy, and the benefits of which, will be reaped for generations to come.
Header Image: Mike Williams, Executive Director, National Parks and Wildlife SA, at the 40th birthday celebration of Friends of Parks Inc., held on Sunday 25 September 2022, Main Oval Pavilion, Belair National Park
