Kings Park and The Decade

Alan Barrett (Executive Director, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority)

The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) statement of purpose reflects a determination to practice and inspire environmental conservation and to empower the community. The BGPA has embraced the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (The Decade) and this commitment is reflected in our Management Plan, a document endorsed by the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson, Minister for Environment and for Climate Action.

Our strategic themes include science and conservation, culture and heritage and community wellbeing. The interrelated nature of these concepts is fundamental to traditional Aboriginal understanding of our natural world and spiritual connection to country. The BGPA strives to acknowledge, celebrate and embrace that deep understanding and to connect community to our precious and unique biodiversity, the wonder of its complexity, the importance of its conservation and restoration to safeguard its existence for future generations.

The coming decade requires us to expand our research, continue sharing knowledge and look for new opportunities to extend its application and dissemination. We need to be innovative and proactive in applying knowledge to the challenges of conserving and restoring ecosystems and to inspire and empower the broader community.

It won’t just be about ‘doing restoration’, but also about fostering a culture of conservation, continuous learning, and a commitment to restoration. It is equally important to invest in knowledge sharing, training and in partnerships that create a more sustainable Western Australian community for future generations.

This special issue of For People and Plants showcases how the BGPA engages with the themes of The Decade both directly and in partnerships with affiliated volunteer organisations, with community organisations, with universities and with industry and the commercial sector. These partnerships build capability, deepen knowledge and enhance our shared appreciation of the importance of healthy and functioning ecosystems at local, national and international levels.

Artist: Michelle ‘Wilura’ Kickett