Queensland Government invests $500,000 to support new parks organisation

The Queensland Government will provide $500,000 over two years to support Friends of Parks Queensland - a not-for-profit organisation focussing on conservation, community development, ecology, protected areas, and First Nations-led conservation.

Established in November 2022, it is an umbrella organisation for Friends of Parks groups that have been set up across Queensland over time.

The State Government’s investment will support the organisation in providing technical and logistical assistance to community groups wishing to undertake, or already undertaking, community conservation work in Queensland’s protected areas. 

This will include assistance ranging from how to establish a volunteer group to ensuring Blue Card and workplace health and safety obligations are met; how to organise and run a volunteer organisation; and meeting and event planning.

The government funding will provide for the employment of 2.5 staff, as well as funds to support the engagement of First Nations people in such matters as identifying areas of cultural significance or priority and advising on cultural approaches to land management. 

Since it was established, Friends of Parks has obtained more than a dozen member groups, developed ecologist-designed materials and has co-designed a First Nations engagement guideline to guide the organisation’s work program.

Queensland Minister for Environment and Science Leanne Linard advised “partnering with Friends of Parks Queensland establishes a dedicated support service to existing and new volunteer groups engaged in on-ground conservation, research or education activities aimed at enhancing protected areas across Queensland.  

“We share the mission of Friends of Parks Queensland – we believe that mobilising communities in nature not only improves conservation outcomes – but the quality and connectedness of our lives.

“With a vast protected areas estate across Queensland, the community has long benefitted from the dedication and passion of volunteers working to conserve and protect our special places and species."

Jessica Lovegrove-Walsh, President and Executive Officer, Friends of Parks Queensland shared “Friends of Parks Queensland is delighted with the Queensland Government funding and thanks the government for its continued support of our state’s protected areas.

“Our organisation came into being after we saw the surge in ‘Friends of Parks’ groups, particularly during the recent pandemic, and the need for a separate organisation to support the amazing volunteers working in our natural areas with limited budgets and support.

“Anyone who visits our beautiful national parks and other protected areas will agree that Queensland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and ecologically diverse natural areas.

“It’s vital that we all continue to support these areas and contribute to their upkeep where we can and Friends of Parks Queensland is dedicated to helping community volunteers achieve this.”

More information on Friends of Parks Queensland is available at www.friendsofparksqld.org/

Images. Credit: Friends of Parks Queensland