By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CONSERVATION is about a lot more than just pulling out weeds or planting trees, a group of Geelong green thumbs is discovering.
In fact, a conservation volunteer doesn’t even need a green thumb, says regional coordinator Heidi Snow.
“There’s a whole range of activities our volunteers can do and we have projects all over Australia and New Zealand,” Heidi said.
Conservation Volunteers runs the well-known Green Corps, a tourism based project called Naturewise and organises activities such as dingo surveying on Fraser Island, turtle monitoring in Arnhem Land and marine debris surveys at several coastal locations.
Locally the organisation links up with municipal councils, coastal committees and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to assist with practical, on-the-ground conservation work.
But all projects are open to Geelong volunteers, depending on requirements and skill sets.
“We provide the arms and legs because the organisations we work with aren’t set up to handle volunteers, whereas that’s our main expertise,” Heidi said.
“We have a mini-bus that gets around with our logo on the side, providing transport for our volunteers from Geelong to the project areas, be it the Bellarine Peninsula or Apollo Bay.
“It’s easy to join. Volunteers don’t need any previous training, we show them everything on the day.
“Some of our volunteer group are casual and come when they can. Some come weekly, some yearly.
“Our volunteers are often students who join in to get experience. Some are on mutual obligations with Centrelink but have an interest in the outdoors and the environment.
“We work on projects like dune and wetlands restoration, along the coast and along the rivers, so we have some amazing scenery to accompany us.
“There’s lots of variety, although some volunteers have their favourite spots where they enjoy working.
“They get a lot of satisfaction in contributing positively to the environment because it’s an easy way to get involved and make a difference.
“We have a core group of regular volunteers and it becomes a social thing – they make friends, have a chat, share experiences.”
Volunteer Paul Spinks said he was drawn to CVA because it provided an “opportunity to put your money where your mouth is”.
“As well as being good exercise, the settings are varied – beach, bush or parkland – and the other volunteers I’ve worked with have always been good-natured and easy to get along with.
“Plus, you gain knowledge about our flora and fauna as well as the influences on their habitat.
“One of the best things is that at the end of the day you can see the results of your labour and feel rewarded.”
Heidi said volunteering was open to children as young as seven, although parental supervision was required.
“It helps children get into a volunteering mindset from an early age.”
Conservation Volunteers has been operating for 31 years after originating in Ballarat and opening a Geelong office in 1997.
The organisation handles 100,000 days of community involvement annually on about 2000 projects.
More information is available at conservationvolunteers.com.au or by phoning the Geelong office on 5221 0300.
