About the Friends of Mound Springs (FOMS)
The Friends of Mound Springs (FOMS) was established in 2006, under the umbrella of the South Australian organisation Friends of Parks Inc, to support the conservation and management of the mound springs of Far North South Australia.
The Friends group has attracted widely based membership, both locally and interstate, from researchers, government personnel and others with a general interest or involvement in mound springs issues.
The group provides support for the South Australian Department for Environment and Water in the management of springs within the Parks network (such as Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park).
The group also has a role in promoting and supporting research of mound springs in general, and in the protection of mound springs outside the parks network in collaboration with pastoral lessees and other interest groups.
The group provides a forum for disseminating information and research findings regarding the springs and promotes increased public awareness about the conservation values of the springs.
The group has undertaken surveys, vegetation monitoring and a range of on-ground activities to protect mound springs and promote their conservation values. Major projects for FOMS have been protective works at the site of the Peake Overland Telegraph station, construction of walking trails and installation of interpretive signage at both the Peake and Strangways Overland Telegraph sites and fencing of twelve springs at Levi Springs to exclude stock. FOMS has also provided comments on proposed developments and measures that could impact adversely upon the features of the mound springs.
A central objective for FOMS is the management of mound springs to ensure that their natural and cultural heritage features are conserved and enhanced where possible. In recent years, FOMS has developed a close working relationship with water-focussed staff of the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board and with the Arabana Indigenous Ranger Team, a group established in 2019. FOMS has collaborated with these groups in spring surveys – such as at Francis Swamp and Hawker Springs – and in maintaining fencing and monitoring vegetation at a number of fenced springs on pastoral lands.
FOMS continues to work closely with the Landscape Board, the Arabana Rangers and the Department for Environment and Water in identifying springs of high conservation priority and in developing programs for their protection. In addition, a good working relationship is developing with the Dieri Indigenous people, whose land extends east of Marree and includes many important mound springs. A major step was the fencing of Reedy Springs, in Dieri country on Murnpeowie pastoral lease, by the Landscape Board in 2024.
