Conservation Mentor: Local Hero Ken Patterson
Long-standing member of the Piesse Brook Friends Group and mentor to new (and old) Volunteers, Ken Patterson was awarded one of the City of Kalamunda’s Senior Community Local Hero Award recently.
Ken, who often spends up to four hours a day scouring the bush and eradicating weed species as he finds them, wears a personal locator beacon as safety is always a priority.
“I started out by photographing local wildflowers and noticed all the weed species. It’s been enormously satisfying to see how my time spent removing them has had a positive outcome to the environment,”
said Ken Patterson.
Former science teacher, now volunteer member and secretary of the Friends Group, Ken organises planting days, applies for Grants and acts as a general liaison for the Group between the City, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and other environmental organizations. Over the last 13 years he has identified and photographed nearly 500 endemic plant species in the local Hills region.
A copy of Ken’s research An Interactive Guide to the Flora of Kalamunda National Park is available on CD from the Kalamunda Visitor Centre.
Mayor Margaret Thomas JP stated, “Volunteering with one of the City’s 47+ Friends Groups is a great way to learn about native species from our local environmental experts”.
“Our community places a high value on conservation and maintaining our urban forest canopy. Joining a Friends Group provides a direct way individuals can improve the natural spaces near where they live," said Cr Thomas.
“It’s been an enriching experience working with the fine people of the Friends of Piesse Brook,” commented Ken.
More Information
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Alternatively, please contact the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999, email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au
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Local Hero awards are proudly supported by the Echo newspaper.