Volunteer on Conservation Projects in Queensland, Australia with Smaller Earth

Volunteers joining this program will have the opportunity to work alongside Australia's leading practical conservation organisation to make a real difference to the environment through practical conservation projects. Projects undertaken in the Townsville and Northern Queensland region will range from protecting and enhancing the natural areas found along the Great Barrier Reef Coastline to protecting the unique vegetation found in and around the tropical rain forests and waterways, the habitat for the widely diverse wildlife found in this area.

Environmental Conservation Volunteering

This program offers a safe, fun and friendly opportunity to contribute in a practical way to the conservation of the unique Australian environment. The types of projects assisted include: tree planting, erosion and salinity control, seed collection, construction and maintenance of walking tracks, endangered flora and fauna surveys and monitoring, weed control, habitat restoration and heritage protection.

Our associates work in partnership with Catchment Management Authorities, Local Councils, community groups, conservation agencies, tourism organisations and operators, State Governments and Departments, the Federal Government, NGOs and individual land owners. The organisation seeks to develop long-term partnerships that have a strong identity and focus on involving the community in priority environmental issues. To achieve this they design, develop and deliver conservation programs which help the community to connect to their environment in a positive way.

Project Details

Our local partners in Australia are a national, not-for-profit community based organisation, operational since 1982, that is dedicated to involving the community in practical conservation natural resource management programs. Each year their volunteers contribute in excess of 800,000 hours of conservation volunteering. Of these volunteers some 2,500 travel to Australia each year from overseas and another 10,000 are Australian's volunteering domestically.

Volunteers are usually placed in teams of between 6-10 people under the supervision of a team manager. All training, equipment and ecological instruction will be provided by your team leader. The variety of projects offered by our partners is large but as the projects are selected for their ecological merit volunteers are unable to select their own projects. The programs include: Tree planting, Seed collection, endangered species protection, weed control, fencing, walking trail construction, flora and fauna surveys, heritage restoration and environmental monitoring.

Each team leader has qualifications in heath and safety, Defensive Driving, First Aid, and other relevant environmental skills/qualifications. On the job training is provided to volunteers and all projects are suitable for unskilled participants.

Sample Week

Projects normally run for 5 days per week, (typically Monday to Friday) with one or two days free per week for relaxing or sightseeing. At weekends volunteers usually return to Townsville. Volunteers travel to a different project location every week or two. This means that in a 6-week project volunteers will generally visit at least 3 different locations and will usually undertake 2 or 3 different types of project activities.

Every Monday (unless participating in a “roll-over” project from the week before) volunteers will leave the volunteer house in Townsville at 8.30am and be transported to the project site. Travel times vary between local projects within 50km of the office and more remote projects up to 500km away from the office.

From Monday to Friday volunteers will be working hard to achieve the project goals and so opportunities to explore the areas around the project sites are limited. The projects themselves however are often located in stunning locations, such as the Bohle wetlands, Town Common Conservation Park both of which offer excellent bird watching opportunities and enable one to feel and experience the real Australian bush.

Program Highlights

• The project opportunities offer an experience to volunteers to see a unique part of the Australian environment rarely seen or experienced by the average visitor.
• Most activities will be vegetation based (tree planting, removal of feral species, seed collection, protective fencing and more).
• Positive outcomes of the projects undertaken include protection of the Great Barrier Reef and ongoing support to the threatened species only found in the tropical rain in this part of the world.

Location

Projects will be undertaken across Northern Queensland but particularly in Townsville, a large regional centre on the north Queensland coast adjoining the Great Barrier Reef.

Age range & Required Experience

You must be at least 18yrs old to take part in this project. Volunteers will be shown how to use all tools and equipment safely before they start the project and there will always be a local Team Leader with first aid training on site with the team. Any essential safety equipment will be provided, and volunteers will be shown how to use it.

Field Conditions

Accommodation will vary due to the wide variation in the nature of projects and locations. Typical accommodation can include caravans, hostels, shearer's quarters, bunkhouses or camping (tents provided). Volunteers should bring a sleeping mat as well as a sleeping bag. Everyone helps with the cooking, cleaning and washing up. Fresh produce, meat and vegetables are used as often as possible although this cannot be guaranteed every day, particularly on remote projects far from shops, so please make allowances. Special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan or food allergies, can be catered for.

Project Support

Throughout your stay at your placement you will have the support and guidance of experienced field-workers and coordinators. They are part of our Smaller Earth support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

Getting There

Volunteers usually fly into Townsville Airport (TSV). Volunteers should arrive on a Friday for a welcome and orientation at the Townsville office. The first weekend is free to relax and rest before the project work starts on Monday. Departures should not be planned before 5pm on your final Friday night.

Typical Day

Volunteers must be ready to start their working day at 8am. At the start of any job volunteers will be given any equipment and skills they need. Volunteers should be aware that project are usually labour intensive and take place in both urban and rural areas. Be prepared to work in all weather conditions.

There are several breaks throughout the day for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. 4pm finish the project; pack up the tools and equipment then head back to the accommodation. Volunteers assist with dining room set up, cooking or cleaning before relaxing for the evening with the rest of the volunteers.

Additional Travel Opportunities

The projects typically run from Monday to Friday and volunteers are usually transported back to Townsville for the weekends. During this time volunteers are free and can explore the local area. Townsville is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef as well as outback Australia with the heritage towns of Ravenswood and Charters Towers about 1 hour to the west. Townsville also offers opportunities to visit Magnetic Island only a 20 min ferry ride from the city – great bushwalks and beach walks and spectacular views. Alternatively the Strand, only a few minutes walk from the accommodation in Townsville, has swimming enclosures and plenty of parkland for relaxing.

Australia is a major tourist destination and you would be missing out if you allowed the opportunity to explore this fascinating country slip by. Here are just a few things which shouldn’t be missed

• swim with Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Marine Park
• explore the sculpted land forms of the Bungle Bungles
• no trip to Australia would be complete without seeing the iconic Uluru (Ayres Rock)
• the Great Ocean Road is home to some great surf
• a trip down Margaret River will take you through Australia’s wine country.

What's Included?

• Food
• Accommodation
• Project related travel
• Pre-departure services
• 24 hour in country support
• 24 hour dedicated emergency phone line

What's Not Included?

• Flights
• insurance
• visas
• personal kit