The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority offers a variety of community education opportunities including free guided walks, school programs, public workshops, volunteer opportunities and interpretation through signage, public art and publications.
Interpretation
Key conservation messages are portrayed through signage, public art and publications. People learn in different ways and require exposure to a variety of stimulus, in order to absorb, understand, appreciate and connect with the world around them. Kings Park's detailed signage plan provides public education using consistent layered themes that are not intrusive to the surrounding environment. One sign alone doesn't impart the key take home messages. It is the combined layering effect of the 'unconscious beauty' of the ordered garden, the standardised design and structure of a series of signs, the interactions with staff and the experiences the visitors have encountered that subliminally conveys the 'take-home' messages.
Guided walks
Free guided walks are offered by our friendly volunteer guides who will lead you on a walk of discovery and enjoyment in the bushland, through the landscaped parklands or around the Botanic Garden while enjoying the panoramic views, learning about the fascinating diversity of plants and discovering the European and Indigenous heritage. Free guided walks are offered in Kings Park and Bold Park.
Public workshops
Public workshops on a range of topics including photography, art, nature, horticulture and gardening are offered during the Kings Park Festival. Refer to the Kings Park events calendar for more details.
Kings Park Education and Learning
Curriculum-based school programs are offered from pre-kindergarten through to tertiary students as part of the Kings Park Education service. Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park offers a unique location to complement the programs with an inquiry-based and explorative learning approach. Community and school holiday programs are also on offer with the family friendly 'Zippy's Kings Park Adventures' being most popular with 3-5 year olds.
Kings Park Guides
The Kings Park Guides are volunteers involved in numerous visitor services' duties, including leading guided walks and staffing the Visitor Information Centre. All Kings Park Guides complete the Guides Training Course, held, on average, every two years. The course runs over 14 weeks, one morning a week and covers topics such as historical and cultural information on Kings Park, Perth and Western Australia generally, botanical information and identification and guiding and interpretive techniques.
Volunteer Kings Park Master Gardeners
Volunteer Kings Park Master Gardeners provide a free information service for home gardeners and non-commercial groups. They offer advice on propagation, potting, planting out, pests and pruning of native plants. All new volunteers attend a 12-week training course which are held on average, every two years. Topics include Western Australian botanical information and identification, horticultural techniques and communication skills.
To learn more about volunteering in Kings Park visit our Get involved section.
