Following several incidents of vandalism, and concerns about degradation generally, NPWS and the Friends of Blue Gum Forest are inviting responsible walkers to be Ôcamp ground hostsÕ. This would involve visiting the area say once a year, for a weekend or a few week nights, with friends, to provide a greater level of presence and information.
This his nothing to do with the old Ôhonorary rangerÕ system, rather the role would be to give out MIB information and invite visitors to join the Friends of Blue Gum Forest, and to fill in a report on the state of the area, number of campers, noting any damage, description of perpetrators, etc. Training would be provided, as well as some form of identification.
Interested individuals or clubs should contact Ranger Cath Ireland, NPWS PO Box 43 Blackheath 2785.
The 65th anniversary of the reservation of the forest will be held on the weekend of 6/7 September 1997. A ceremony will be held at the Blackheath NPWS Heritage Centre on the Saturday afternoon, in conjunction with the launch of a book on the forest. That will be followed by a camp at Acacia Flat, and - on the Sunday morning - a historical tour of the forest, starting with events as early as 1859.