Bush Heritage runs a Volunteer Ranger program.  Volunteer Rangers are a conservation force of exceptionally capable volunteers who are actively involved in reserve management. 

Participants in this volunteering program demonstrate characteristics essential for practical conservation tasks.  The typical Volunteer Ranger possesses great self-reliance, knowledge relating to the land, practical skills, fieldwork experience and good physical stamina.  Volunteer Rangers are entrusted to carry out activities with minimal supervision and they enjoy meeting this challenge.  The Volunteer Ranger program suits volunteers who relish the lifestyle unique to remote, bush locations.  

Volunteer Rangers sometimes bring special expertise to Bush Heritage and accomplish singular feats, for example, the construction of a herbarium at Cravens Peak reserve.  More often Volunteer Rangers are needed to complete activities such as: weed and feral animal control, infrastructure maintenance, fencing, flora surveys and erosion control.  Occasionally, Volunteer Rangers with well-developed people skills are needed to assist with visitation events.  In many, varied ways Volunteer Rangers support Bush Heritage operations.   

Volunteer Rangers are independently responsible for their transport to and from reserves.  It is necessary for Volunteer Rangers to bring their own food and clothes suitable for working outdoors.  Don't forget to bring along your camera, sketch pad and musical instrument for your relaxation time.  

Bush Heritage greatly values the ongoing involvement of our Volunteer Rangers and therefore endeavours to support them to volunteer.  Different kinds of support are offered such as: access to skilled and knowledgeable staff, onsite accommodation, use of Bush Heritage vehicles, and a volunteer reimbursment scheme.  Specific volunteer placements fall under the reimbursment scheme and will be discussed at the time of application.   

Being a Volunteer Ranger is a fantastic opportunity to learn about a reserve, extend your skills and experience, enjoy an outstanding landscape, and help to protect Australia's unique flora and fauna. Volunteer Ranger opportunities vary with the season and the direction of conservation management plans, upcoming opportunities are listed below.  

If you are keen to get involved, please check the list below and complete the relevant application form for placements that best suit you. 

 

Upcoming Volunteer Ranger placements

Note that volunteering placements are subject to change due to variables such as weather and fire.


DECEMBER

Charles Darwin Reserve, WA

Locum reserve management role.  Basic duties are to maintain machinery; tend to animals and gardens; handle phone calls and visitors.  Subject to weather conditions, there may also be practical conservation tasks to enjoy such as seed collection, weed removal and erosion control.  The main priority is to maintain a presence on the property, so plenty of afternoon siestas would not be out of the question.
Places: 2
When: Monday 22 December — Sunday 4 January
Requirements: at least moderate physical fitness for manual handling and walking over uneven terrain; previous volunteering experience with Bush Heritage; a current driver license; and tolerance for hot weather are essential.  A current First Aid certificate and 4WD experience are preferred.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

JANUARY

Carnarvon Station Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will spend mornings using herbicide to control the top three priority weed species on the reserve.  Where possible afternoons will be dedicated to harvesting grass seed for future rehabilitation projects.  Other possible tasks include basic construction and maintenance of infrastructure and structures designed to control soil erosion.
Places: 2
When: Monday 5 - Friday 30 January
Requirements: A current First Aid certificate, a Chemical Users certificate, tolerance for hot and humid weather and 4WD experience are preferred.
Warning: a high-clearance 4WD is necessary to access this reserve.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Eurardy Reserve, WA

A locum reserve management role undertaking basic duties to maintain machinery, buildings and grounds; handle phone calls and visitors.
Places: 2
When: Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 January
Requirements: At least moderate physical fitness for manual handling and walking over uneven terrain; previous volunteering experience with Bush Heritage; a current driver license; and tolerance for hot weather are essential. 4WD experience and a current First Aid certificate are preferred.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

  

FEBRUARY

Cravens Peak Reserve, QLD

A locum reserve management role.  Keep an eye on the place and maintain infrastructure and equipment necessary for power and water supply while staff take a break.  There will be an assortment of repair and basic construction jobs on offer that you could lend a hand to while spending time at this place of rare beauty. 
Places: 2
When: Sunday 22 February - Wednesday 18 March
Requirements: At least moderate physical fitness for manual handling and walking over uneven terrain; previous volunteering experience with Bush Heritage; a current driver license; tolerance for hot weather; and basic computer skills are essential.  Current a First Aid certificate, 4WD experience are preferred.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Carnarvon Station Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will spend mornings using herbicide to control the top three priority weed species on the reserve.  Where possible afternoons will be dedicated to harvesting grass seed for future rehabilitation projects.  Other possible tasks include basic construction and maintenance of infrastructure and structures designed to control soil erosion.
Places: 2
When: Saturday 2 - Wednesday 27 February
Requirements: A current First Aid certificate, a Chemical Users certificate, tolerance for hot and humid weather and 4WD experience are preferred.
Warning: a high-clearance 4WD is necessary to access this reserve.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

MARCH

Carnarvon Station Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will spend mornings using herbicide to control the top three priority weed species on the reserve.  Where possible afternoons will be dedicated to harvesting grass seed for future rehabilitation projects.  Other possible tasks include basic construction and maintenance of infrastructure and structures designed to control soil erosion.
Places: 2
When: Monday 2 - Friday 27 March
Requirements: A current First Aid certificate, a Chemical Users certificate, tolerance for hot and humid weather and 4WD experience are preferred.
Warning: a high-clearance 4WD is necessary to access this reserve.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Eurardy Reserve, WA

A locum reserve management role undertaking basic duties to maintain machinery, buildings and grounds; handle phone calls and visitors.
Places: 2
When: Sunday 16 March - Saturday 5 April
Requirements: Previous volunteering experience with Bush Heritage; and a current driver license are essential. 4WD experience and a current First Aid certificate are preferred.
Click here to download a position specific application form.
  

APRIL 

Carnarvon Station Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will use their skills to conduct a weed survey of the Warrago catchment.  This is a great opportunity to get out in the field and support conservation planning at the reserve.
Places: 2
When: Sunday 6 - Thursday 17 April
Requirements: fitness for high level bushwalking; basic Arcview and GPS skills; strong plant identification skills; and a current driver license are essential. 4WD experience and a current First Aid certificate are preferred.
Warning: High clearance 4WD required to access this reserve.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Cravens Peak Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will form a small group and together remove an internal fence that is currently impeding wildlife movements.  This small team will also assist general clean-up activities. 
Places: 3 - 5
When: depending upon the ability of the group, the activities to be assigned are likely to take 2 - 4 weeks to complete.  If you are interested to join this activity, please remember to include in your application the period/s of time between 1 April and 30 June when you will be available and the number of weeks (a minimum of 2 up to a maximum of 4) that you can commit to stay. 
Requirements: moderate fitness for outdoor activities and manual handling; ability to use small tools; and a current driver license are essential. 4WD experience and a current First Aid certificate are preferred.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Eurardy Reserve, WA

Please refer to March for more information about volunteering at Eurardy, Sunday 16 March - Saturday 5 April. 

  

MAY

Carnarvon Station Reserve, QLD

Volunteers will get out to the high altitude areas of the reserve where they will assault Prickly Pear and Velvet Pear by injecting them with herbicide.  Other weed control may be undertaken on the 12 Mile cultivation tract to eradicate Prickly Mimosa.
Places: 2
When: Monday 4 - Friday 29 May
Requirements: A First Aid certificate and excellent fitness for a high level of bush-walking and carrying a 5kg backpack are essential.  4WD experience and a Chemical Users certificate are preferred.
Warning: a high-clearance 4WD is necessary to access this reserve.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

Cravens Peak Reserve, QLD

Please refer to April for more information about volunteering at Cravens Peak. 

  

JUNE

Cravens Peak Reserve, QLD

Please refer to April for more information about volunteering at Cravens Peak. 

  

JULY

Eurardy Reserve, WA

Throughout the spectacular wildflower season, volunteer camp hosts are required to assist the reserve managers with all aspects of tourism operations including bookings, customer service, cleaning and tidying, maintaining grounds, pool and amenities.
Places: 2 per placement to be scheduled across four months.
When: volunteers will be needed from mid-July to the end of October.  If you are interested in this opportunity, please include in your application the period/s of time between 14 July and 31 October when you will be available and the number of weeks that you can commit to stay (please note that a minimum of 3 weeks is required).
Requirements: reasonable physical fitness for manual handling; basic computer skills; and excellent people skills are essential.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

  

AUGUST

Eurardy Reserve, WA

Please refer to July for more information about volunteering at Eurardy.
  

SEPTEMBER

Eurardy Reserve, WA

Please refer to July for more information about volunteering at Eurardy. 

Various reserves in WA, SA, NSW and Vic

Bird Survey.  Throughout September and October, highly skilled volunteers are required to support the ecological monitoring program.  Volunteers with strong bird identification skills and knowledge will be trained in the Bird Minutes Method and assigned to one or more reserves for bird surveying.  This is a challenging and exciting role for volunteers with a keen interest in birds.  If you are an experienced birdo and would like to help us measure improvements to reserves under management, these opportunities may suit you. 
Places: negotiable.
When: dates to be arranged closer to the season.
Requirements: moderate fitness for bushwalking; willingness to undertake and apply training; excellent bird identification skills; enthusiasm and reliability.
Click here to download a position specific application form.

OCTOBER

Bird Survey at various reserves in WA, SA, NSW and Vic

Please refer to September for more information about volunteering for bird surveying. 

 

It is possible that the available opportunities might not match your skills, interests and availability.  If that is the case, you may not wish to apply for any of the above placements.  However the future will bring different opportunities.  We are interested to know if you are keen to volunteer so that we can keep you in touch with volunteer activities.  It would help us to know about the type of volunteer work you would like to do, the amount of time you are happy to commit and any relevant training and experience you may have.  In order to let us know, please send us a completed Reserve Volunteer Expression Of Interest form. 

For more information about volunteering contact the Volunteer Coordinator at info@bushheritage.org.au or call 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873)