Volunteers & Community participation

12 YEARS, 12 PROJECTS LATER …

On 11th February 2008, Parklands turned 12 years old as  a community  organisation.  Our existence is due in no small part to our honorary Board who have gone the extra mile to steer the direction of our organisation. Our community has invested  $8.45 million worth of voluntary  physical time and effort over the past 12 years.   It is as a result of this considerable effort that we have attracted $ 4.02 million worth of project grants, which also support local businesses in the development of our parks.   

Together, with YOU, the community, we have achieved this.

We also take this opportunity to acknowledge our key supporters: the local Aboriginal community, Wodonga TAFE, National Environment Centre (Riverina TAFE), Greencorps, Regional Skills and Corrections Victoria. 

Opportunities exist for volunteers to be involved in programs varying from environmental and recreational management, through to Landcare projects, based on enhancing Parklands’ current grazing leases and nature reserves. 

Become a Friend of Parklands

Parklands cannot realise it's vision alone.  The ability to continue to protect and enhance our regional parklands depends very much on the assistance and support from Friends of Parklands groups, volunteers and the private sector, together with our stakeholders.  Have your say in how you want OUR regional parklands developed and be part of the solution "making it happen".

Weekday dates for your 2008 diary

On weekdays, volunteers work alongside Parklands Rangers across the parklands bush reserves.  On Wednesdays, you'll find us down by the banks of the Murray River at Padman Park, whilst on Fridays we clamber about Huon Hill or down along the banks of the Murray and Kiewa Rivers.  There's lots of variety of jobs and locations on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Bookings required for weekday projects, at least 2 days prior but you can just rock up and join in the fun at monthly community working bees.  Wear trousers, closed shoes, hat, sunglasses and bring water. Working bees are cancelled when it rains.

1st Monday of month - McFarlanes Hill, Wodonga - 1pm at Felltimber Creek Road carpark opposite park entrance to Ridge Walking Track

1st Tuesday of month - Thurgoona Threatened Species lands, Thurgoona - 9am at Kinross Hotel carpark

1st Wednesday of month - Eastern Hill, Albury - 10am at Rotary Lookout Carpark

1st Friday of month - Huon Hill, Wodonga - 9am at Huon Hill Summit Picnic Area Carpark

Practicum Hours for TAFE and University students during 08/09 

On weekdays, students are welcome to join our Friends of Parklands volunteer Ranger Program during term. 

In addition, we offer a variety of activities and project locations during the semester break.  This program has been  designed specifically to cater for TAFE and University School of Environmental Science students.  Work full time or specific days during your holidays in June / July and over Summer 2008/09.

The National Environment Centre in Thurgoona, which is part of TAFE NSW, Riverina Institute, has offered to run the two day Farm Chemical User Certificate course and the four day Chainsaw Certificate I during this practicum program for free.  In order to secure your place in the accredited course and set the dates, we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.

Weekend dates for your 2008 diary

Details of the following and other community events and working bees will be updated on this website during the year.  Perhaps you'd like to adopt a parklands or just join us occasionally at weekday or weekend working bees of interest to you.

Sunday 27 July 2008 - National Tree Day - tree planting at Padman Park

Sunday 31 August 2008 - Friends of the Red Gum Track (Murray River Restoration) tree planting

Sunday 28 September 2008 - Padman Park - Weedbusters Day

Sunday 19 October 2008 - Friends of the Rail Trail - Tall Trestle Treadle

Sunday 26 October 2008 - Red Gum Track - site inspections and signage installation

Saturday 24 November 2008 - Friends of the Red Gum Track - more site inspections, monitoring and planning

Wednesday 10 December 2008 - Friends of Parklands End-of-Year Get Together

Some of the many things volunteers do

Here are but a few ideas highlighting where individual volunteers or groups can contribute.

• Project concept, development and planning.
• Survey Work: flora, fauna, landform, heritage, water quality, habitat, current usage.
• Pest plant control: removal and/or management of woody weeds, noxious weed.

• Pest animal control: foxes, rabbits, carp, other exotics.
• Remnant vegetation management: fencing, livestock management.
• Endemic species (local provenance) seed collection.

• Wetland management.
• Water quality: research and data collection.
• Native vegetation planting.
• Plant propagation.

• Boardwalk and bird hide construction.
• Fencing programs.
• Walking trail development.
• Conducting guided walk.

• Nesting boxes: design, erection and monitoring.
• Habitat development and management.
• Photography/art: displays (possibility of a major  photographic and/or art competitions)
• Recycling and litter removal
• Fire management regimes.

Volunteers application (521 KB)

2008 Practicum Ranger Program (92 KB)