Funds for forest centre

Brand MHR Madeleine King yesterday announced a $500,000 pre-election Federal government funding commitment to build a new environmental education centre at the the Baldivis Children’s Forest.

The Baldivis Children’s Forest will receive a total $700,000 for the project, including $200,000 already committed by the the State government in 2017.

Ms King said Labor’s Federal funding commitment to the project would further support the Baldivis Children’s Forest in creating a seminar or workshop style space to serve as both a community hub, and a learning centre.

“Our traditional owners - the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation - have lived off this land for thousands of years so it is pivotal for young people to learn and engage with this history,” she said.

“The Baldivis Children’s Forest offers a great opportunity to facilitate these traditional teachings, as well as hands-on learning of geography, flora and fauna, and more contemporary challenges such as climate change.”

The project will include construction of a classroom and administration area at the forest, which is currently run out of a sea container. It will provide a functional multi-purpose area for a wide range of activities.

A Baldivis Children’s Forest spokeswoman said the funding would help the the not-for-profit organisation pursue its goal in promoting conservation and environmental sustainability.

“Building an Environmental Education Centre is the next chapter in our story and one that will help us continue to foster engaged and environmentally aware future generations,” she said.

“This build project is a way of creating a space the whole community can access and benefit from.”