Park Volunteer

2019 Park Stewardship Mornings

This year Parklands Volunteer Program is mixing it up to give people a taste of different environmental stewardship tasks. We are working in a different park each week, from the urban to the wild and woolly, doing different tasks according to the season.

Come along for 2 hours on a Friday and experience the 'how to' of caring for our bush parks and reserves.

Parklands Rangers will take you through a variety of practical park maintenance/improvement tasks like planting, weeding and removing tree guards. At the same time, you will learn about the local environment and how our local land managers and community groups are working to protect threatened species, improve habitat and link habitat corridors across the region.

This is invaluable experience for those interested in, or studying for, an environmental career; a great chance to clear your head and get some exercise, or just a good way to give back to our community.

About our Volunteer Programs

Parklands would not be here without volunteers, who are the heart and soul of our operations. The ability to continue to protect and enhance our regional parklands depends very much on the assistance and support from Friends groups, individual volunteers, local businesses and community organisations.

Have your say in how you want OUR regional parklands developed and be part of the solution "making it happen".

Some of the many things volunteers do with us:

Developing project concepts and planning project delivery,
Survey Work: flora, fauna, landform, heritage, water quality, habitat, current usage,
Pest plant control: removal and/or management of woody weeds and noxious weeds,
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,
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.

and special projects such as:

educational programs
mapping to help with pest control
help run park events such as Trail Runs, National Volunteer Week, Parks Day, etc

Why should I be involved with Parklands? (or) What's in it for me?

In general terms all parklands have a wonderful capacity to restore the jaded and run down, and from time to time all of us seem to need, and instinctively seek out, the open space which parklands provide. Why not consider some of the following good reasons for involving yourself in your parklands and thereby, perhaps, change your life for the better!

Physically...

Medical and scientific evidence indicates that activities such as gardening, walking, jogging and bike riding can:

Improve general fitness
Improve the cardiovascular system
Decrease blood pressure
Reduce obesity

Psychologically...

Health experts tell us that spending time in peaceful parkland settings and in relaxing, non-urban environments can:

Reduce anxiety
Decrease depression
Enhance feelings of well being; and enhance self-esteem and confidence.

Economically...

Quality parklands can be expected to:

Increase opportunities for local tourism ventures (catering for regional, national and international visitors)
Provide employment opportunities for local people
Increase local property values
Reduce the medical costs of both individuals and the general community. Physically and psychologically fit people tend not to require the same levels of medical support as those who aren't fit.

Environmentally...

Quality, well-planned parklands will have many environmental benefits including:

Increased and or enhanced levels of indigenous flora
Habitat for native fauna
Increased presence of native fauna
Improved water quality and air quality
Enhanced environmental awareness amongst citizens and consequently, a greater commitment to the environment within the community.

Socially...

Last but definitely not least! If we aren't here for the people, who, or what, are we here for? In addition to the benefits mentioned above, recreating or working with other people in your regional parklands can provide the ideal means by which to:

Avoid alienation
Prevent loneliness
Eliminate antisocial behavior
Exchange cultural information
Make friends

As you can see...

Parklands ... the benefits are endless

If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au