Canning River Regional Park - Department of Environment and ...

Part E. Community Relations
PART E COMMUNITY RELATIONS
29. INFORMATION,
INTERPRETATION AND
EDUCATION
INFORMATION, INTERPRETATION
AND EDUCATION GOAL
Promote awareness and understanding of the
natural and cultural values of the area and to
foster appreciation and care.
The five objectives are:
• To provide interpretation,
information and education about
the Park in accordance with the
(CALM) Swan Region
Interpretation Plan. Ensure
information is integrated with and
complementary to that already
provided or planned to be
provided regionally and locally
(in particular the material in the
Swan Estuary Marine Park and
Wetlands like Thomsons Lake and
Forrestdale Lake).
• To develop and maintain an
information and education
program for both the local and
the broader communities
conveying the Park's values for
Conservation and Recreation, as
well as the associated
management concerns (eg water
quality).
• To promote the Park as a
valuable entity in its entirety.
• To encourage a sense of
ownership and pride in the Park
by the local community.
• To encourage the use of the Park
for educational purposes and as a
vehicle for broader education
about riverine systems.
In 1989, the City of Canning and CALM set
up and trained a number of volunteers to assist
in the management of the area. Since that
time, the Canning River Volunteers have been
an extremely important and active group,
leading regular interpretative activities for the
public, providing considered and invaluable
advice and comments about management
issues and getting excellent press coverage for
issues and activities in the Park. Their efforts
have assisted in raising the awareness and
understanding in the local community of the
Park's identity and values.
School groups have been and continue to be
the source of heavy demand for educational
activities and talks at the Park. Many local
schools have been involved with Arbor Day
activities including planting and rehabilitating
degraded areas.
According to the Interpretative Plan for
CALM's Swan Region, the key features to be
interpreted in the Park are;
• the river - its properties, behaviour,
effects on the landscape, changes over
time and space.
• riverine vegetation - importance, changes
over time.
• cultural history - Aboriginal and non
aboriginal.
• concept of Regional Parks - why?, who
manages?, how?, role of local
community?.
These interpretive stories complement those
planned elsewhere.
To date, a number of materials for
interpretation and education have been
developed for the Park. These include
material on the social and natural history and
the Park in general. Media include brochures,
reports, signs and displays. A co-ordinated
approach is necessary to ensure efficient use of
funds, targeted material, a recognisable image
of the Park and consistent messages.
STRATEGIES
1. Continue to liaise with all
interest groups to ensure a coordinated
approach to
interpretation and education on
and adjacent to the Park. (CC
and CALM)
2. Prepare a communications plan
for the Park to promote public
awareness and appreciation of
its natural and cultural values,
management programs and of
the worth and purpose of
Regional Parks generally. (CC
and CALM)
3. Continue to encourage, promote
and support the Canning River
Volunteers with essential
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