National Parks and Wildlife Service of SA | Friends of Parks and Nature South Australia https://friendsofparkssa.org.au Volunteers working for conservation Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:14:29 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-favicon-friends-of-parks-sa-32x32.png National Parks and Wildlife Service of SA | Friends of Parks and Nature South Australia https://friendsofparkssa.org.au 32 32 Take your Social Distancing for a walk in a National Park! https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/take-your-social-distancing-for-a-walk-in-a-national-park/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:14:29 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=237264

Spending time in nature does wonders for your mental health, and a new DEW Facebook campaign is highlighting the benefits of visiting a South Australian national park.

The campaign focuses on how the Coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we live our lives on a daily basis, which may be leading to extra stress. And that in life’s most stressful moments, taking time out to look after your mental health and wellbeing is most important.

And the campaign message rings true for DEW staff too.

Getting a dose of nature could be just what you need when you feel stressed. Evidence shows that spending time in the great outdoors can help reduce your stress levels, improve your concentration and generally helps you to feel happier.

So take a break this weekend and visit your local park. They are waiting to be explored.

]]> Everything you need to know about being a park ranger in SA https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/everything-you-need-to-know-about-being-a-park-ranger-in-sa/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 06:31:57 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=237097 We have just celebrated World Ranger Day on July 31st and it’s a perfect time to explore how our rangers care for our parks in SA. This article in Good Living talks about their main task,s from creating new visitor experiences to emergency management and response. Did you know you can become a volunteer ranger? If you like to explore it further, this article on SA’s volunteer ranger program is a good start!

]]> Mount Remarkable is June’s park of the month! Activities include the ‘Fat Tire Festival’, How to spot yellow-footed rock wallabies, forest bathing, Ranger-guided walks, drawing nature and much more! https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/mount-remarkable-is-junes-park-of-the-month-activities-include-the-fat-tire-festival-how-to-spot-yellow-footed-rock-wallabies-and-much-more/ Wed, 02 Jun 2021 01:24:31 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=236592 Find out about events and activities in the full program: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/get-inspired/park-of-the-month.  Mount Remarkable National Park.

https://nationalparkssa.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/r/F38FBDEDA32549222540EF23F30FEDED/2F5C7B991044B198EFAFF46DA0C54C4D

]]> Would you like to Join the Big Koala Hunt in Belair National Park on Saturday 29th and Sunday the 30th of May ? https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/would-you-like-to-join-the-big-koala-hunt-in-belair-national-park/ Tue, 18 May 2021 23:12:22 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=236323 Courtney Heinjus asks iif any volunteers would like to be involved in the giant koala count happening in Belair on both Saturday 29th of May and Sunday 30th May. See below:

Some researchers from Flinders University are undertaking some research methodology on koalas in Belair National Park. Their aim is more about the effectiveness of each method but the count will create some great data on the actual number of koalas within the park.

They’re undertaking the count on  Saturday 29th and Sunday the 30th of May from roughly 9-5pm. They’re aiming to cover most of the park working on 5 ha blocks for each survey as part of the methodology. You will work in teams of 2 to do the count but will receive training first.

Due to the large area they want to cover, we’re looking for as many volunteers who are keen as possible. There is a decent amount of walking involved but we will try and direct the younger, fitter ones to the steeper areas. Don’t feel like you need to commit to the entire day either. There will be a BBQ on one of the days.

So if you’re keen to get involved or can think of anyone, even people not in your groups to get involved, please send this their way. It’s pretty nice walking through the park and looking at furry things!

Just a side note- I will ban walking through certain areas but it is only 2 people per 5ha so I’m not particularly worried about trampling. If you’ve got any major concerns please let me know.

Thanks,

Courtney Heinjus

Ranger
Central Lofty District

National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department for Environment and Water
M 0448 220 403 P 81309067
Workshop Road,

Cleland 5152
environment.sa.gov.au | naturalresources.sa.gov.au | envirodata.sa.gov.au | parks.sa.gov.au

]]> New riding and hiking trails in Murray River National Park have signs designed, developed and installed by Friends of Riverland Parks and the Berri Bike Boys https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/new-riding-and-hiking-trails-in-murray-river-national-park-have-signs-designed-developed-and-installed-by-friends-of-riverland-parks-and-the-berri-bike-boys/ Wed, 03 Feb 2021 05:06:33 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=235284 National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia (NPWSSA) staff have been busy helping local volunteers from the Friends of Riverland Parks and the Berri Bike Boys, who have been working to design, develop, and install trail markers and signs for the new Katarapko and Rodeo Trails in the Katarapko section of Murray River National Park.

from The Weeky 28 January

]]> Community Grants announced for Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife, Habitat and Long-term Resilience https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/bushfire-recovery-for-wildlife-and-habitat-community-grants-program/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:16:29 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=234198 The Commonwealth Government’s Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program supports local community groups to deliver bushfire recovery activities for native flora and fauna supporting broader long-term recovery and resilience. Grants of up to $150,000are available to Community and environment groups, Traditional Owners, Indigenous Organisations and Indigenous businesses. Application deadline is 27 November, 2020. More information 

]]> New NPWS Volunteer Support Grants announced for 2020/21 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/new-npws-volunteer-support-grants-announced-for-2020-21/ Mon, 26 Oct 2020 07:16:35 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=234157
The Minister for Environment and Water, the Hon. David Speirs announced on the weekend the opening of the 2020/21 National Parks and Wildlife Service Volunteer Support Grants program. This program will increase from $60,000 to $90,000 a year for the next 3 years and is specifically directed at on-park volunteer group activities that are supported by NPWS. The additional funding will significantly increase the number of projects such as biodiversity conservation, post-fire habitat recovery and threatened species monitoring

Similar to previous years the Friends of Parks Inc. Board will administer the grants, and an assessment panel made up of regional staff and Board members will review all grant applications.

The application form and guidelines are attached

Applications close at 5pm on 27th November (ACDT).

https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au/volunteer-involving-organisations/grants
Apply before 20 September 2020
]]> Fieldwork is hard without volunteers! https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/news-events/fieldwork-is-hard-without-volunteers/ Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:58:05 +0000 https://friendsofparkssa.org.au/?p=233810 .

National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia (NPWSSA) Senior Ecologist Rob Brandle has long known the value volunteer groups and university students provide DEW’s fieldwork and research programs – but their absence throughout the COVID-19 period has definitely brought it home:

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