What’s a Friend’s Group and how can I get involved?
There are currently more than 75 community conservation (Friends) groups concerned about urban bushland. Friends Groups vary from informal groups of a few people, to more formal incorporated bodies. Most have one thing in common and that is the desire to conserve and protect a natural area. The level of involvement and type of activities undertaken by these volunteers depends upon the particular needs of the natural area, as well as the intentions and expertise of the overall group.
Friends Groups may be involved in a variety of activities for a particular reserve, with the aim of restoring the reserve’s conservation values and the community’s appreciation for the natural environment.
Examples of Friends Groups activities may include:
- Monitoring and recording of flora and fauna
- Weed control/removal
- Guided nature walks
- Rubbish clean-up
- Seed collection
- Community education (talks and presentations)
- Fire prevention
- Revegetation and planting.
If there is no existing Friends Group in place for the reserve, then the establishment of a new group is encouraged. One of the first steps in forming a Friends Group is finding people with common objectives who are willing to work together to achieve them. The next step is to gather information about the reserve proposed for adoption. Some relevant information required includes:
- Who manages the reserve (City, developers, a State Government department)
- What is the purpose of the reserve?
- Is there a Management Plan for the reserve?
- What work is already being carried out in the reserve?
- Who is carrying out this work?
- What is the bushland condition?
- What are the main threats to the reserve and the opportunities to overcome them?
To find if there is a Friends Group near you, contact the Urban Bushland Council (community organisation for urban bushland recognition and protection) https://www.bushlandperth.org.au/groups/