Friends Of The Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc

Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc – Bushland Park Management and Community Conservation in Queensland

Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc is a non-profit community group involved in the management, maintenance, and promotion of public use of the Toowoomba region’s bushland escarpment parks. Established as an incorporated body, the organisation is run entirely by volunteers and has been active since its formal registration on 1 September 1994. Friends of the Escarpment Parks works closely with Toowoomba Regional Council and other landowners to regenerate bushland parks with local native plant species whilst removing invasive weeds.

Hancock Street Park Microforest – Flagship Ecosystem Restoration Project

The Hancock Street Park Microforest represents Friends of the Escarpment Parks’ flagship initiative, transforming a 600-square-metre grassed area into a thriving forest ecosystem using the Miyawaki method. Completed through three community planting stages beginning in April 2023, the project planted approximately 1,500 native plants to create wildlife habitat, provide carbon storage 30 times greater than grassland, and establish a wildlife corridor connecting endangered ecosystems. This pioneering South East Queensland project demonstrates community-driven environmental restoration and climate action.

Mission and Vision

• Regenerate all Toowoomba bushland parks with local native plant species
• Remove invasive weed species and restore natural ecosystems
• Preserve bushland parks for current and future generations
• Promote public engagement with and understanding of bushland conservation

Main Objectives

• Bush regeneration and weed removal across multiple parks
• Community education through volunteer participation and public events
• Habitat restoration for native birds, fauna, and endangered species
• Publication of plant identification guides and environmental resources

Benefiting Groups

• Local community members and volunteers
• Residents and visitors seeking access to natural bushland spaces
• Native wildlife and endangered species requiring habitat restoration

Types of Services and Activities

• Weed removal and invasive species management
• Native plant propagation and ecosystem revegetation
• Community planting days and park maintenance events
• Parks Week celebrations featuring guided walks and educational activities
• Publication of plant guidebooks and environmental resources
• Microforest creation and ecosystem restoration projects