Bush Heritage Working Bees complement on-ground reserve management activities. Working Bee volunteers help Bush Heritage to protect Australia’s plants and animals.

Working Bees are hard yakka and suit those who get satisfaction from using some 'elbow grease' to make a difference.  Working Bees are great for people who like to get their hands dirty, enjoy a physical challenge and relish the company of like-minded people.

Working Bee participation is a way to experience a Bush Heritage reserve first-hand.

Activities vary depending on reserve management needs, the season and the skills and abilities of participants in the group. The length a Working Bee will reflect the length of time thought necessary to achieve the goal that is unique to that Working Bee.

The practical support provided by volunteers at Working Bees enables Bush Heritage to achieve more in the way of conservation results than would otherwise be possible.

Some examples of Working Bee tasks include:

• weeding
• infrastructure repair, demolition or construction 
• building maintenance
• campsite development
• seed collection
• revegetation
• track maintenance
• fence removal
• surveying 

Working Bee volunteers are responsible for the majority of their own catering and cleaning, everyone pitches in to help.

Sometimes volunteers will need to bring their own food.  Other times, Bush Heritage provides food for Working Bees on the basis of a ‘kitty’ system – usually at a cost of around $10 - 15 per person per day. When a kitty is used, basic foods are provided and while we are often able to accommodate special dietary requirements, our ability to adapt for special requirements does vary with the resources available in areas local to reserves. 

If you join a Working Bee, please feel free to bring extra snacks or drinks but remember to buy them before arriving at the reserve.  (There are no local shops.) 

Accommodation during our Working Bees varies across reserves. Some reserves have plenty of bed accommodation while you must camp at others. If it's your preference, camping is possible at all reserves where volunteers are involved.

(Please note that planned Working Bees may be subject to change due to factors such as weather and fire.)

Upcoming Working Bees

JULY

Nardoo Hills, Vic - applications closed

Working Bee to inject Wheel Cactus (the reserve's main weed species) with glyphosphate herbicide (Poisons Schedule 5 = low toxicity to humans).  See photograph above.
Who: Maximum of 8 persons.
When: July 19 - 20.
Skills required: Moderate fitness and stamina for walking distances up and down hills with 5-10kg backpack.
Click here to download an application form.

  

AUGUST

Nardoo Hills, Vic - applications closed

Working Bee to plant trees and erect tree-guards (only around those species most palatable to local herbivores).
Who: Maximum of 8 persons.
When: Aug 2 - 3.
Skills required: Moderate fitness and stamina.
Click here to download an application form.

SEPTEMBER

Nardoo Hills, Vic - applications closed

Working Bee to remove the weeds Patterson's Curse and Horehound by physically pulling and spraying.
Who: Maximum of 9 persons.
When: September 20 - 21.
Skills required: Moderate fitness for walking distances up and down hills.
Click here to download an application form.

  

NOVEMBER

Liffey Valley, Tas

Working Bee to remove weeds and maintain tracks.
Who: Maximum of 20 persons.
When: November 1 - 2.
Skills required: Moderate fitness for outdoor activities and happiness to do the activities mentioned above.
Click here to download an application form.

Perhaps there is not a current Working Bee to suit your interests and availability, but you hope to volunteer for Bush Heritage if the right opportunity comes along? If so, please let us know. To express your interest in volunteering for practical conservation activities, please complete and return a Reserve Volunteer Expression Of Interest form.

For more information about how to get involved in a Working Bee, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at info@bushheritage.org.au or call 1300 NATURE (1300 628 873).