Since the mid‑1990s, the Orchid Conservation Program at Kings Park Science has been a vital part of ex situ conservation efforts, helping safeguard some of Western Australia’s most threatened native orchids.
The program takes an integrated approach to conservation, deepening scientific understanding of the complex relationships between orchids, their habitats, pollinators and essential mycorrhizal fungi.
Support from the Friends of Kings Park Gift Fund plays a crucial role in this work. Contributions help Kings Park scientists to:
Our dedicated volunteer Orchid Carers also work closely with Kings Park Science, assisting with the propagation and care of orchids and contributing directly to their long‑term conservation.
Together, Friends of Kings Park members, donors and volunteers are helping protect Western Australia’s unique and fragile orchid flora for future generations.
Carbunup King Spider Orchid (Caladenia procera) with a thynnid wasp pollinator (Zaspilothynnus nigripes). Photo: Belinda Davis
As part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Friends of Kings Park has proudly partnered with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority to restore a high‑profile bushland site within Kings Park.
This five‑year project aims to reverse degradation and deliver long‑term benefits for biodiversity, ecosystem health and community wellbeing.
Ecological monitoring is being carried out to measure the success of restoration against indicators of improved bushland condition. These findings will help guide future restoration efforts and support community education on the importance of caring for urban bushland.
A core strength of this project is the active involvement of our Bushland Restoration Group volunteers, who are expanding their knowledge and skills in bushland protection and restoration. Volunteers contribute to every stage of the project, including planning and site preparation, germplasm collection, planting and weed management, monitoring and reporting, and community engagement and education.
Through both funding and hands‑on volunteer support, Friends of Kings Park is helping to restore and protect this important bushland area in the heart of Perth.
Bushland Restoration Group volunteers Natalie Roberts and Ann Shakespeare with BGPA Ecologist Catherine McChesney.
Seed banking is a vital part of Kings Park’s strategy for safeguarding Western Australia’s biodiversity. Kings Park holds seeds from more than 3,500 native plant species, forming a significant conservation seed collection.
Understanding how long seeds remain viable in storage is essential for managing such a large and diverse collection. Different species age at different rates, and improved knowledge is needed to identify which seeds are long‑lived and which require more active monitoring or specialised care.
The Saving Seeds in Storage research program addresses this challenge by identifying species that perform poorly in storage, developing improved storage protocols, and creating new tools and techniques to predict seed viability loss before it occurs.
Support from the Friends of Kings Park Gift Fund has been instrumental in advancing this work, enabling the appointment of a postdoctoral researcher dedicated to leading this important research.
Through this partnership, Friends of Kings Park helps ensure that Western Australia’s unique flora is protected now and into the future.
The Seed Bank at Kings Park holds collections of over 3,500 native plant species. Photo: Laura Skates
Friends of Kings Park is proud to support the next generation of scientists and conservationists through the Kings Park Science Summer Scholars program.
For more than a decade, Kings Park Science has welcomed talented university students to take part in a 12‑week research placement, working alongside leading conservation scientists. These placements provide invaluable hands‑on experience for students pursuing an Honours or Masters research project and a future career in conservation science.
Summer Scholars contribute to real‑world research projects across a wide range of disciplines, including:
This important program plays a vital role in developing the next generation of conservation leaders dedicated to protecting Western Australia’s unique biodiversity.
2025-26 Summer Scholars Darnell Luke, Sabrina Setiawan and Erika Teng Gui with Friends of Kings Park President Chris Olney. Photo: Laura Skates
Your involvement makes a real difference. By becoming a member, volunteering your time, donating to our Gift Fund, or simply sharing our message, you play a vital role in supporting conservation and scientific research in Kings Park.
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