Christmas message from our Chair

As 2019 draws to a close, it’s encouraging to be able to reflect on the progress made over the past 12 months.

The Foundation’s Vision is that our parks are increasingly loved and visited and the plants, animals, landscapes and cultural values they embody are protected and a source of pride for all Western Australians thus contributing to peoples’ health, wellbeing and to ecotourism. This is the aim for all the activities we’re undertaking in partnership with Government, our corporate partners, our Foundation members and wider community.

Among the achievements this year have been:

• commencement of work on the revitalisation of the State’s first national park, the John Forrest National Park, with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ upgrading of park infrastructure
• opening of the Chevron-funded Nature Playground and rail tunnel interpretive signage at John Forrest
• delivery of the pilot Karijini Smart Park Maps co-sponsored by FMG and the Wright-Burt Foundation as the first in a series of downloadable maps for our national parks, with BHP to sponsor further maps in the series
• great success with the Chevron-sponsored Spring into Parks initiative (228 events and activities, 106 event partners, 93 park locations, excellent publicity)
• concept designs for an interpretive node near Matilda Bay as part of the Swan Canning Riverpark journeys project sponsored by Woodside
• launch of the WA Parks Foundation’s new website
• work towards aboriginal cultural tours for John Forrest national park, and
• WA Parks Foundation capacity building made possible through the support of Wesfarmers

We have also completed the business case for the re-development of the John Forrest National Park including a visitor hub and a state-of-the art interpretive centre including a café and education facilities. Raising funds for this will be one of our major projects for the coming year.

We are pleased to have the continued support of PwC, Deloitte and HWL Ebsworth as well
as Coogee Chemicals as a new donor.

I extend my warmest thanks and appreciation also on behalf of the Board and staff of the WA Parks Foundation to all who have contributed to the year’s success. Your interest and support are greatly valued.

With best wishes to all for a happy and safe Christmas and New Year festive season.

Hon Kerry Sanderson AC

Chair, WA Parks Foundation