FACET Conference will ‘Celebrate our Parks’

A family enjoying a bushwalk in John Forrest NP

Celebrating our unique, stunning and biologically diverse parks and reserves, will be the focus of the Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco Tourism Inc (FACET) annual tourism conference being held from 9-11 October 2017 at Government House.

As an organisation dedicated to encouraging people to experience and enjoy our natural and cultural landscapes, FACET is delighted to be working with the newly established WA Parks Foundation to celebrate, promote, protect and enrich our parks.

The conference will deliver an exciting, informative and innovative program and provide a platform to raise awareness and appreciation of our unique and ancient landscapes. Participants can also explore opportunities for communities to connect with our parks. It will focus on connection of people with parks, celebrate Aboriginal culture, joint management programs and explore ways to engage communities, visitors and business with WA’s parks and wildlife.

The conference will open with a welcome cocktail party in the grounds of Government House on Monday 9 October 2017.

The second day will deliver a number of keynote presentations including international keynote Theresa Pierno, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US National Parks and Conservation Association www.npca.org . Theresa Pierno joined the NPCA in 2004 after a distinguished career in public service and natural resource protection, and has helped to solidify the organisation’s role as the voice of America’s national parks. One of Theresa’s priorities for the organisation is connecting more diverse and younger people to US national parks.

Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia will provide a keynote address on the role of the WA Parks Foundation. FACET is delighted to have played an integral role in the development of the WA Parks Foundation, and FACET Chair, Mrs Pat Barblett AM is a proud Park Ambassador.

The day will end with the conference dinner in the Government House Ballroom and will invite conference delegates and the West Australian community to come together and celebrate and support our wonderful national parks. Day three will offer delegates a park experience in WA’s oldest national park, John Forrest National Park.

We invite you to join us in October to ‘celebrate our parks’. Registrations to the Conference and the other events will be open soon. Keep up to date with program developments at www.facet.asn.au.