History
Paruna Sanctuary
Negotiations by AWC during the mid 1990s consolidated a number of properties along the Avon Valley to provide an unbroken corridor that extends 14 km to join Walyunga and Avon Valley National Parks. The isolated nature of the National Parks and the perceived benefits of re-establishing a connection between the two, had been recognised by government for decades. The concept was realised in 1998 when AWC declared the corridor ‘connected’ in an opening ceremony held at Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary.
During subsequent years work cleared areas located on the western blocks were rehabilitated with a federal Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) grant. Community members, AWC volunteers, TAFE Midland Land Management students, and Green Corps volunteers all contributed to the restoration of 18 ha of parkland between 1999 and 2002.
A comprehensive network of walk trails were established at Paruna during this period. With the generous assistance of two major Green Corps groups, over 14 km of walk trails of various lengths and difficulties were created. These scenic walk trails form the basis of the Paruna Visitor Program and can be accessed by the members of the public.
The late 1990s also heralded the initiation of regional fox control by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) within adjacent National Parks, facilitating the reintroduction of a range of native mammal species back to the Avon Valley.