Meaningful change and experiences
“Empowered, connected and impactful”. We recognise the significant contribution of our volunteers in 2024-25.
When it comes to restoring and protecting healthy Country, every contribution makes a difference and is worth celebrating. One of the great joys of the work we do at Bush Heritage Australia is being able to help create a community of nature lovers from all walks of life who share a common passion for the extraordinary ecosystems and wildlife found in landscapes across Australia. Bush Heritage’s dedicated volunteers are an essential part of that community.
It's National Volunteers Week and the 2025 theme is ‘Connecting Communities’, which aligns beautifully with the Bush Heritage ethos.
Our work is all about connections: connecting habitats, connecting western science with traditional knowledge, connecting reserve staff with neighbours and connecting nature lovers with meaningful, practical ways to make a difference for the animals, plants and ecosystems they love. That’s where our wonderful volunteers come in.
Image Information
Wheel cactus at Buckrabanyule Reserve. Dja Dja Wurrung Country, central Victoria. Photo by Rowan Mott
Every year our volunteers across Australia log thousands of hours planting trees, controlling invasive weeds, analysing images from motion sensor cameras and surveying the health and abundance of plants and animals. And they’re not afraid to get down and dirty!
One of Bush Heritage’s longest-serving volunteers, Ronnie, shared these reflections shortly after arriving home from a weekend working with other volunteers to remove over 2000 metres of rusty fencing across our Dalyenong Reserve cluster on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, central Victoria.
“Covered in sweat and filthy, we had a marvellous few days at the reserves,” Ronnie wrote.
“My fellow workers were a great bunch. They were friendly, informative, skillful and enjoyable social company in the evening. I have worked with many volunteers and I would say Bush Heritage Australia has some excellent people helping in this capacity. Nothing is a bother and they work with skill and a happy disposition. I feel lucky to know them and to help in a small way.”
Elsewhere on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, volunteers are helping to eradicate Wheel cactus, a significant weed that can infest landscapes and reduce quality habitat for rare orchids and birds including Hooded Robins and Diamond Firetails. At Nardoo Hills, a volunteer team is methodically stabbing, drilling and treating the cactus to stop it spreading. It’s prickly work, but that doesn’t stop these determined volunteers!
To all our treasured volunteers, a huge thank you from everyone at Bush Heritage and happy National Volunteers Week! We’re so grateful you’re all a part of our big community of nature lovers.
