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Environmental Conservation in Queensland, Australia

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Location Australia
Start Date Every Friday
Duration
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The Project

Volunteer in Australia and work alongside a well established not- for- profit conservation organisation. Founded in 1982, these projects have the environment at the heart of their mission which is to protect, preserve and restore Australia’s unique, natural beauty. Volunteers will take part in varied activities which may include environmental monitoring; Heritage Restoration; tree planting; endangered species protection and disaster relief to name some. This project will be enjoyed by all who have a love for the outdoors, who are environmentally concerned and up for a challenge. Queensland is just one of 7 locations across Australia that volunteers can choose to work at. Whilst the start locations are in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane, volunteers will experience rural areas as well, where the natural environment can be truly appreciated.
Why the project needs you

It has become increasingly important for us, as responsible global citizens, to recognise and act upon the challenges which are facing our natural environment. Although Australia is a developed country, its varied landscapes, from lush rainforests to the desert outback, can prove difficult to manage with climatic instability and human impacts. The country’s fragile environment is unfortunately suffering from species and habitat loss and environmental degradation. Climate change and the El Nino/La Nina oscillation further exacerbate the issue which increases the chance of often disastrous forest fires or devastating floods, as were experienced in Brisbane in January 2011. People in Australia highly value their natural environment and although there are professionals in the field, volunteers play a huge role in responding to environmental challenges by bringing enthusiasm and energy to the toughest of projects and disaster relief efforts.

Project Location

Queensland is known as the Sunshine State, with plenty of contrasting opportunities for volunteers. In North Queensland, Townsville projects take in rainforest and beach areas, while Cairns offers the chance of rainforests on mountain ranges, beach and creek restoration projects and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. In southern Queensland, the State’s capital, Brisbane, is the ideal place to join projects travelling to the hinterland areas of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast as well as the Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Darling Downs and South Burnett.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2 – 24 weeks (4 weeks minimum is recommended).
• Cost: £775 ($1356) for 2 weeks and £215 ($376) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Queensland various locations, Australia
• Project activities: Varies on location and time of year-Tree planting; Walking trail construction; Wildlife surveys; Seed collection; Weed control; Conservation fencing; Heritage restoration and disaster relief.
• Working hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm
• Project availability: Projects start every Friday and run all year round. Project closed for Christmas between 23rd December and 5th January 2012.
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared rooms in caravans, hostels, bunk houses, shearer’s quarters or camping (tents are provided).
• Food: 3 meals a day and weekends. Volunteers help in the preparation of food.
• Training: Orientation upon arrival and training
• Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator and project leaders.
• Wildlife guidebook and map of location.
• Certificate of Appreciation, optional Conservation Volunteer Certificate available (at additional cost) if volunteers have done 40 hours volunteering or more.
• Volunteer ID Card with special offers and discounts
• All Project-related travel
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Airport pick up, drop off or travel to starting points. Airport pick up and transfer package can be arranged at an extra fee.

Role of the volunteer

On this project, you will rotate every one to two weeks around different areas within Queensland. This results in you gaining a well-rounded experience, giving you the opportunity to work on a variety of conservation activities and projects. Volunteers work in groups of 6-10 and are assigned which projects they will be doing upon arrival. The reason for this being that the conservation work depends on seasonal conditions and conservation priorities at the time of the volunteer’s arrival.

Examples of Projects in Queensland:

•St George, south west Queensland - once wide spread throughout Queensland, the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat is now one of Australia's most endangered species with only a single population of 110 individuals remaining in the Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland. Volunteers are working establish a second population of wombats at St George in southeast Queensland. This unique volunteer experience will involve constructing a 5km predator proof fence to protect the new wombat population from dingoes and foxes.
• Fraser Island is World Heritage Site- Volunteers are helping to remove invasive weeds in National Park areas and upgrade walking tracks and trails.
• Springsure Koala Reserve - koala populations in the Springsure area have been severely impacted by drought, flood and fire. Volunteers help to assess the state of local koala populations and their habitats.
• Stuart Creek, in the Townsville region, has a unique closed canopy gallery forest. The Stuart Creek
flood plains support rich alluvial soils that support this unusual feature. Volunteers help with mass tree planting in this semi-tropical environment.

After volunteering in the Queensland, volunteers can choose to extend their time and go to a different starting point in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia or Queensland.
Skills Required

There are no specific skills required to participate in these projects but you must have a love for the outdoors. Volunteers should be prepared to live and work as a member of a team and a positive attitude is essential. We also advise that you have a reasonable level of fitness in order to take part in all activities.

Your life outside the project

In the evenings you will spend your time with your team mates who will also be most likely sharing your room or tent with as well. Evening meals are quite a social event where volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals. Weekends are your free time to relax. Local staff will be available to advise you on the best places to go in your free time and, as you will be staying in areas of natural beauty, you can be sure there’s plenty to do at the weekends. For those who want to head into civilisation for the weekends, this is possible for most volunteers unless you are on a very remote project.
Ideas for Independent Travel

We recommend that if you wish to volunteer for over 6 weeks you should consider building in some independent travel time and visiting a second or third starting point as well. There is so much to do in Australia, but where you travel to really will depend on your location whilst volunteering. Australia is a massive country, and unless you choose to fly between locations getting around can take a long time. Here are a few ideas of places to visit.

Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkelling

This is the world’s largest coral reef, and is the only living organism viewable from space. Most of the damage caused to the reef is due to climate change and pollution from rivers. Tourism actually has a much smaller ecological footprint as the main launching points to visit the region only account for 7% of the actual reef. Just remember to pick an environmentally responsible tour operator!

Sydney harbour

Whilst Sydney may be bold, brash, beautiful, slightly stuck-up, it is filled with world class sights to be experienced. The Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge must be seen as well as the fabulous beaches perfect for surfing and tanning. There is also a very happening night life and club scene for those who enjoy a night on the town.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is located along the southern coast of Queensland and is a World Heritage site.
It is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, some tea-coloured and others clear and blue all ringed by white sandy beaches. Ancient rainforests grow in sand along the banks of fast-flowing, crystal-clear creeks.

Ayers Rock (Uluru)

This break taking natural wonder is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory. This is a place of remarkable beauty and unique cultural value which has led to the park being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

In most cases volunteers are placed in local home-stays where they either have their own room or share with another volunteer. Usually two meals a day are provided by the home-stay family, all included in the placement fees. This way a portion of your volunteer fee goes back into the local economy, and you gain first-hand experience of true local family life.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.