WA Immersive Nature-Based Adaptive
Hiking Participation Program
The State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is a major supporter of Break the Boundary in Western Australia. Sport and recreation creates vibrant, inclusive and connected WA communities. This Grant has been awarded through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries WA Hiking Participation Program, and we thank them for their continued support.
Project Aim
Upskilling existing Adaptive Hiking Leaders at Break the Boundary, in knowledge about the local environment in which they are hiking, with the intention to curate partipate-informed immersive nature-based experiences.
Project Objectives
The project will upskill our already highly qualified and competent Adaptive Hiking Leaders to increase participation in a range of nature-based trails, activities across WA.
With this acquired knowledge, co-create packaged, participate-informed immersive nature-based experiences to attract new participants to Break the Boundary.
Impact
Our Adaptive Hiking Program breaks physical, mental, and social barriers, empowering people with disabilities to explore the stunning Western Australian bush.
By upskilling our leaders and co-creating participant-informed immersive experiences, we tailor our adventures to meet the unique needs and desires of our community.
We understand that “Breaking your Boundary” may not entail challenging grade 4 hikes! We want to make sure everyone is included in our adaptive hiking offering. Upskilling our adaptive hiking leaders in local flora, fauna, Indigenous and European history, basic Auslan and cultural awareness will help attract new participants- offering a warm, welcoming, and non-confronting entry into nature-based activities.
Our adaptive hiking programs build confidence, foster independence, and inspire a lifelong passion for the great outdoors among people with disabilities.
Adaptive Hiking Leader’s Training
Local Flora
Training Days 07/10/23, 29/06/24
Wonderful Toni Burbidge, Environmental Program Manager, has provided 6 hours of guided tours through the local and immediate bush to the Kalamunda Hub. It has been amazing to stop and see all the amazing flora we have been walking through!
This has been a really eye opening and enjoyable way to experience the bush – the hikers have all commented on how much they have enjoyed this learning.
Adaptive Hiking Leaders are now developing potential hikes that will showcase the Biodiversity Hot Spot in the Kalamunda Hills, with wildflower walks and interactive assets for participants!
Local Fauna
Training Days 04/11/23, Upcoming 10/08/24
WA Wildlife is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing, treating, rehabilitating and conserving native wildlife since 1998.
WA Wildlife hosted the Break the Boundary Adaptive Hiking Leaders in Bibra Lake. We attended a lecture about the services WA Wildlife provides, what type of wildlife it commonly cares for. We met some local residents! We also had a tour of WA Wildlife’s facilities and were staggered to find out they run only through community funding! We learned how to identify and support an injured animal on a hike. We now carry a wildlife rescue kit on every hike.
Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Korung National Park/ Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre- We’re looking forward to our training day on 10/08/24 with Katie Bird-Community Engagement at Kanyana Wildlife who runs bird and wildlife tours in Korung National Park. We will do a lecture and a guided hike through Korung NP to learn how to look for and identify wildlife.
Adaptive Hiking Leaders are looking forward to sharing our newly acquired knowledge with our participants!
Local Indigenous History
Training Days 29/06/24
Dale Tilbrook 3 hour lecture on some local indigenous history and then tasting of some local bush tucker. It was informative and delicious.
We look forward to some more Kalamunda specific training as this grant continues!
Local Eurpoean History
Training Days 7/10/23
Jenni Lewis from Kalamunda Historical Society hosted us for 3 hours. Local European History (Kalamunda) Jenni Lewis- local historian and President of the Kalamunda Historical society gave us an overview of the Kalamunda and surrounds local European history, covering information about Stathams Quarry, The zig zag railway, Kalamunda, Jorgensen park, Victoria Dam.
Our adaptive hiking leaders are taking the time to upskill and further our knowledge on the local histories specific to each hike we provide!
What’s Next?
Program Development and Participant Testing
We currently have new adaptive hikes in the works and we are getting some already inducted participants to trial these hikes to make sure they’re enjoyable!
Check our our new Wildflower Walks:
Survey Potential Participants
Once these options have been tested, we will survey people out in the community via facebook and instagram, facebook forums, member newsletter – mailchimp to make sure that our offerings are participate-informed!
Induct New Participants
Our Come and Try It Induction Days happen every 2 months or so throughout our adaptive hiking season- March-November.
Our next Come and Try It Induction Day is on July 27th. You can book online with the button below!
If you have any questions prior to booking in, don’t hesitate to email bookings@breaktheboundary.com.au