Boyanup conservationist awarded rare honour

Boyanup resident Michael Tichbon was recently appointed as the first patron to The Friends of Kings Park.

Mr Tichbon’s connection to The Friends of Kings Park began in 2013.

“I learnt of the work of the Friends of Kings Park Fund in providing grants to PhD students and BGPA staff to undertake research and projects to protect and develop rare cultivars of native flora and wanted to contribute to it,” Mr Tichbon said.

“I am impressed that Kings Park and the Friends promote the regeneration and propagation of rare plants so people can buy them and plant them in their gardens, otherwise we will lose them all together.”

Through his donations, Mr Tichbon has enabled grants from the The Friends of Kings Park fund to advance the important scientific and horticultural work undertaken at the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

“I hope to encourage people to grow more endangered WA native plants as they are water wise, require significantly less artificial watering and are more suited to Western Australia’s drying climate,” Mr Tichbon said. “There is no point in locking them away where no one can see them.”

Committee president Dr Ian Kerr said Mr Tichbon was eminently suited to the position of patron of the Friends of Kings Park.

“Michael has devoted his time and energy over many years to working for the conservation and protection of WA wildlife and wildflowers,” Dr Kerr said.

“His role as Patron of the Friends will involve the support and promotion of the Friends’ objectives through advocacy and other means.”