As a member of the Friends of Grampians Gariwerd you can help to conserve and protect our natural environment and enhance the visitor’s experience of parks and reserves. Joining a Friends Group has many benefits – for example providing an involvement in conservation, meeting like-minded people and receiving informative newsletters.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities within the Grampians National Park (GNP). Individuals or groups can choose to participate in a number of projects including the Halls Gap Botanical Gardens, the Grampians Walking Track Support Group, Parks Victoria’s Campground Host Program and Conservation Volunteers Australia – Park Champions, and Naturewise Holidays.
h3. Halls Gap Botanical Gardens
The Halls Gap Botanical Gardens is a native garden maintained by volunteers and local community support. While not the responsibility of Friends of the Grampians Gariwerd if you would like to volunteer to assist with the gardens please “contact FOGGs”:mailto:
h3. Grampians Walking Track Support Group
The main aim of this voluntary group is to support the management of the existing walking tracks in the Grampians to encourage their further improvement in order to achieve the potential that the area has to be a world class walking venue.
Another aim of the support group therefore is to attract financial support for the walking track network. Funds acquired will only be used to sponsor specific walking track projects that have been agreed between Park managers and group members.
All these projects, such as major upgrades, realignments, new track developments or trials of new materials and construction methods, will be in addition to the normal maintenance work that is financed from the annual Park budget.
The Grampians Walking Track Support Group works closely with Bushwalking Clubs and individuals throughout the state. For further information or to express interest in joining the support group, or participating in a working bee please contact Convenor of the Group, Mr David Witham on 5356 4300.
h3. Campground Host Program
Volunteering as a Campground Host is a fantastic way of seeing the Grampians National Park and at the same time camping for free. This opportunity suits all volunteers over the age of 18.
Applicants must be self-motivated, enjoy working with the public, have excellent verbal communication skills and be interested in the preservation of the natural environment.
For further information about Campground Hosts for the summer period phone 13 1963.
h3. Conservation Volunteers – Park Champions
Conservation Volunteers and Parks Victoria invite you to explore and enjoy the area while you help Parks Victoria staff to protect and enhance biodiversity values in the wonderful Grampians National Park.
Park Champions is a partnership between Conservation Volunteers and Parks Victoria which offers you the opportunity to volunteer for week long projects in the Grampians National Park. Park Champions can work on a variety of projects such as setting up fauna surveys, weed control and walking track maintenance work.
It’s easy to get involved, simply visit the Conservation Volunteers website for a list of “Park Champions projects”:http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/volunteer/conservation-connect-list.asp?linkedoffice=&MONTH=any&INTEREST=any&PROGRAM=13&searchtype=detailed&searchtype2.x=36&searchtype2.y=19.
h3. Conservation Volunteers – Conservation Connect
Conservation Connect is the result of Conservation Volunteers Australia and Toyota Australia working in partnership with the aim of connecting more volunteers to environmental projects across Australia.
An example of a Conservation Connect project is the Grampians Post Fire Research Project.
bq.. Enjoy the world famous Grampians National Park while contributing to scientific research working alongside student researchers to undertake small mammal surveys as part of a post fire research project. Volunteer activities are setting and checking traps, recording data on any captures, tearing down and cleaning traps.
Dates: 24 to 29 May 2009
Conservation projects which do not include an overnight stay are free – simply bring your lunch and water bottle. Conservation projects which include an overnight stay cost $40 (including GST) per night for short stays of 1 – 3 nights, including all meals, accommodation and project-related travel. Concessions are available for students, job seekers and pensioners. Longer projects start from $208 for a week-long Mini-Break. This includes all meals, accommodation and project-related travel.
p. For further details visit the “Conservation Volunteers Australia website”:http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/conservation-connect.asp