Minister for the Environment, Bill Marmion, has officially launched Kings Park Education’s new facilities and programs.
He was joined on 5 June 2012 by Minister for Education, Dr Liz Constable, Federal Member for Fremantle, Melissa Parke MP and Mr Greg Lilleyman, President of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Operations, to unveil the new facilities and programs.
Acting CEO for the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Marcelle Broderick, says she is delighted to see the growth of Kings Park Education services, thanks to the support of its project partners.
‘These amazing new facilities and programs are a perfect fit with our strong commitment to public education about the importance of the environment and the role we all play in its conservation. With around six million visitors each year, Kings Park is well placed to promote these important messages.
‘Our partnership with Rio Tinto, the Perth Solar City program, Water Corporation and Lotterywest through the Friends of Kings Park has been extraordinarily successful. Each of these organisations has shown great commitment and forethought to this project.’
Among the new education programs on offer to an estimated 15,000 children per year is ‘Solar Powered Life’ exploring renewable and non-renewable energy; ‘Life in the Water’ to investigate wetland habitats; ‘The Science of Conservation’ exploring the role of science in plant conservation; and ‘Nyoongar Boodja’ which celebrates the six seasons of Nyoongar culture.
‘The education programs at Kings Park are wonderful and the Water Corporation is proud to be involved,’ said Water Corporation CEO, Sue Murphy.
‘I am thrilled to see kids learning about nature through interactive education, including hands-on fun and getting mucky!’
‘The Water Corporation Wetland is an ideal environment to discover more about water, and the plants and animals that rely on water as their habitat. We want kids to know that water is a precious resource and that we all need it for survival. Young people who understand the value of water will make sound water use decisions in the future and this will help us towards Water For All, Forever.’
Chair of Rio Tinto’s WA Future Fund, Mr Greg Lilleyman, praised Kings Park for the impact of this project on WA.
‘Since the first phase of Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park was launched in October 2011, it has been a resounding success, attracting more than 50,000 visitors in its first six months. This is Rio Tinto’s largest community investment in WA and we are proud to be a part of this legacy project.’
Lotterywest Chairman John Atkins said Western Australia is the only State where money raised from lottery products is distributed back to the community for projects such as this one.
‘Lotterywest grant support to Naturescape has helped create a great community asset that connects kids and families with our State’s unique environment.’
Kings Park and Botanic Garden thanks it project partners for its support and contribution to this project: Rio Tinto, Water Corporation, the Friends of Kings Park with the support of Lotterywest and the Australian Government’s Perth Solar City program.