In April Council ran a successful workshop to train volunteers on safe chemical use and bush regeneration techniques while in the field, and will be holding similar workshops in the coming months to continue to grow and support the skills and development of environmental volunteers in the LGA.

Even as we enter the cooler months there are still a variety of plants and fungi on show, and opportunities to care for the places, land, parks and bush we are lucky enough to call home!

Events

Aside from volunteer training opportunities held over the coming months (stay in contact with your group coordinators to find out when these are), we have an exciting event coming up in August.

Save the date!

Thursday 31 August 2023 – PSC Environmental volunteers conference 2023. More details to follow.

Unsung Heroes Grant

Council was recently successful in obtaining the NSW Social Cohesion Unsung Heroes – Innovation in Volunteering grant for 2023.

The face of volunteering in Australia is changing. Volunteering requires change to engage new people for succession and continued service to the community. Environmental volunteering is one area that provides the opportunity to harness enthusiasm, grow social cohesion and deliver positive outcomes.

Research indicates a new model is emerging, a preference for event-based volunteerism activities that values diversity of cause rather than commitment to regular ‘public good’ work (Nursey-Bray et al, 2022). A model that seeks to provide young people and diverse groups an avenue to volunteer in environmental management should be relevant, engaging and sustainable.

The grant proposes to test and develop this model on the ground, involving the existing traditional style volunteers with new volunteers in a hybrid program that would enhance the sustainability of the volunteering in the area and promote social cohesion.

Four environmental events will be held throughout the year so keep an eye out for a ‘Healthy Habitats’ workshop happening near you!

Ngioka Nursery

Ngioka Nursery is undergoing a refresh! We are now holding quarterly meetings with key stakeholders to ensure our processes and procedures are yielding the best results for our volunteers and bushcare groups. The seedbank has undergone a rigorous inventory and the stock yards are in the process of reorganisation. Training opportunities will be held at the nursery to support plant identification, native seed collection, germination and propagation, and stock management.

Communication and feedback

Help us improve the face of environmental volunteering by completing the short surveys below:

• Volunteer Communication Survey: We are seeking input on how you like to receive information and dates regarding volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer Events Survey: This survey seeks your input on what environmental events you would like to see in your area. Whether you are currently an environmental volunteer, or you are thinking about putting in some volunteer hours this year – we want to hear from you! The survey takes less than 5 minutes and lets you share your interests and preferences. There’s the opportunity to win a field guide too!

If you haven’t already, please also apply to join our PSC Environmental Volunteers group to stay up to date with the Volunteers Support Officer and other parks and reserve care groups.

Visit: pscouncil.info/join