Parks Champions take on the Prom

THE collaborative ‘Parks Champions’ program between Parks Victoria and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) is taking place this week (October 11 to 15) at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Parks Victoria Chief Ranger for Wilsons Promontory National Park Craig Stubbings said that the Parks Champions program is a coordinated community partnership between CVA and Parks Victoria that began in 2006.

Parks Champions, he said, aims to provide opportunities for the community to volunteer in some of Victoria’s most spectacular Parks and contribute to the management of both natural and cultural values and visitor experiences.

“Wilsons Promontory is a much loved tourist destination, supporting a large variety of wildlife including the always popular Wombat and Eastern Grey Kangaroo, as well as the more cryptic Long-nosed Potoroo, Broad-toothed Rat, Feather-tailed Glider and the threatened New Holland Mouse. The park also contains important feeding habitat for significant migratory wading birds which feed on the tidal mudflats of Corner Inlet,” Mr Stubbings said.

CVA Melbourne Regional Manager Kylie Kidd said: “We are encouraging volunteers to participate in this program and help maintain the Tidal River camping area by planting and mulching native garden beds, removing weeds and clearing unwanted vegetation. This will improve the environmental value of Wilsons Promontory as well as the visitor experience within the park and campgrounds.

“These projects have proven to be quite successful, as since 2006 CVA has conducted 1200 volunteer project days, contributing over 60,000 volunteer hours throughout 90 Parks Victoria locations across Victoria. Volunteers have contributed to significant environmental results, such as the planting of over 68,000 plants and removing introduced weeds from more than 220 hectares of parkland.

“We are inviting people to collaborate with Conservation Volunteers and Parks Victoria to help preserve these natural treasures within Wilsons Promontory. As a Parks Champion you can volunteer one day or a whole week.”

Conservation Volunteers was founded in Australia in 1982 and expanded operations to New Zealand in 2006. Involving over 10,000 volunteers every year, Conservation Volunteers is a leader in delivery of practical conservation programs, community involvement and a range of training programs.

For more information about the Parks Champion program, contact Adam Smolak on 0427 507 004 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

For further information on Conservation Volunteers Australia, contact 1800 032 501 or visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

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