Dear Supporter
Welcome to 2010! While it’s just the beginning of the year, so much has been going on in our parks! This year, be on watch for the launch a couple of exciting new ‘techno – intiatives’ for park users and speaking of new, have you noticed our new look? Twitter us to let us know what you think.
The last half of 2009 saw a dramatic rise in our volunteer activities in both marine and terrestrial parks. Compared to 1,338 hours in the second half of 2008, the same period for 2009 saw 5,840 volunteer hours. This equates to $146,000 contribution to the community. Well done everyone and to Rachel and Jacqui on revving up those environmental warriors!
Don’t forget when you visit your local park on Sunday 7th March that it’s Clean up Australia Day. One piece of litter per person DOES make a difference to our parks and waterways and the flora and fauna that live there.
See you in the park.
Jenny Holliday
CEO - People & Parks Foundation
 Feel Blue Touch Green
After the great success of our 2009 Ecotherapy for Carers program with Villa Maria we are running further Ecotherapy programs in 2010. Our Ecotherapy program enables you to learn how you can use nature to relax and explore yourself in an open and supportive environment.
We have opened the Ecotherapy program up in 2010, to give all of our supporters a chance to experience the program, by creating the Ecotherapy for Everyone program.
The program runs throughout March and April and will take place in Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Places are limited, so click here for more information on the program and details of how to register.
Mangrove monitoring launched in Tooradin
Seven enthusiastic volunteers met up early at the Tooradin picnic area car park on Saturday January 16th to try their hand at the new Sea Search program – Mangrove Monitoring.
Dressed in shorts and a variety of footwear, our awesome Sea Search volunteers embraced the mangrove mud and had a terrific day.
Read more
Great Aussie Camp Out - 17th April 2010
The Great Aussie Camp Out (GACO) will bring together thousands of Australians for one big night where they will share the experience of camping out under the stars … in their back yards, on a river bank, in a camp, a National Park, a caravan park - in fact, anywhere they might feel like!
With the long term goal of promoting healthy active lifestyles by encouraging individuals, families, friends and clubs to enjoy the great outdoors, GACO will coordinate a one night 'camp-out' across the country with the aim of introducing people to the fun and adventure of camping out.
Read more
Green Connections
This year is a very exciting year for the Green Connections program. After the success of different program formats such as the 6 week school volunteer program trialled in 2009, we are expanding these programs in 2010 to include more groups and locations.
In response to your requests, this year also sees the creation of opportunities for all our supporters to be involved through the introduction of Community and Family Volunteering days.
Read more
Business of the Month - UMS
We are very pleased to have as one of our partners Urban Maintenance Systems (UMS) who will play an integral role in assisting us with the development of Caitlin’s Retreat. We are thankful for their generous contribution to date and look forward to working with them on this important initiative. Executive Director Campbell Walker is even looking to get a staff and family working bee and picnic on the site!
Urban Maintenance Systems is a leading provider of Facilities, Infrastructure & Petroleum maintenance services to Government and Private sector organisations throughout Australia. They offer a comprehensive range of services each specifically tailored to meet the unique customer needs of each market.
Visit www.ums.com.au
Urban Camping
You’re the first to know. Our first “City under the Stars” will be held on the weekend of 27 & 28 March 2010.
What is it? "City under the Stars” is camping with ‘trainer wheels’. Where needed, we bring the tent and all the camping gear at a safe, easy to access park location. You bring the family and the fun attitude. Even if you have your own tent but are not confident in using it, this is for you. It’s a great program and the really terrific thing about it is that funds raised will go to support our Junior Ranger Camps program and other camping experiences for young people who have barriers to getting out there and camping.
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In This Issue
 And Also...Twitter
Keep up to date with where we are and what we're up to by following us on Twitter.
www.twitter.com/peopleparks
Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress
We are delighted to announce that, with the support of the Ian Potter Foundation, People & Parks will be hosting keynote speaker Steve Coleman for the Healthy Parks, Healthy People Congress.
Beginning with the youth drive he co-founded 30 years ago to restore a forgotten stream valley park, Steve Coleman has mobilized tens of thousands of people and raised millions of dollars to reclaim, restore, and revitalize community parks.
Visit the congress website
Sea Search
It has been a busy summer for Sea Search, with multiple events happening nearly every weekend, and the odd weekday session thrown in also.
Having expanded our program to now include mangrove habitat, our Sea Search program is going from strength to strength and we hope to see many new faces over the coming months.
Our thanks to our regular and dedicated team of Sea Searchers, who help make this program so successful.
Read more
Reef Life Survey
Reef Life Survey have been diving all over the country this summer, with survey trips having taken place in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Read more
Volunteer of the Month
Adrienne (aka AJ) Meyer has been a regular at many of our Sea Search events. Whether it’s intertidal monitoring at Mushroom Reef or Ricketts Point, or getting muddy at Tooradin for our Mangrove Monitoring launch, AJ is there and always with great enthusiasm.
Read more
Charity Restaurant
Charity Restaurant will be a premier destination, combining exceptional ocean views and a gastronomic journey of dishes featuring the finest Australian seafood cuisine and, is at the philanthropic forefront as Australia's only restaurant and world class conference facility over the ocean, established to benefit charities.
100% of the proceeds from Charity Restaurant on Sunday April 4th 2010 will benefit People & Parks Foundation.
Book online today at: www.charityrestaurant.com.au
Woodend Children's Park update
People & Parks Foundation is really proud to have partnered the Woodend Children’s Park which was launched by Minister Bachelor late last year. We are also proud of the inspirational people who made it happen; two of whom were recognised with community Australia Day awards – Kelly Duff and Jane Walduck.
The Opening of the park also won the Community event of the year! Congratulations to Kelly, Jane and their Team.
Get Involved
Help us in creating a healthy environment and a healthy community. Donate or volunteer today!
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