Volunteering is seen as a core part of our community. Just look back to the dreadful events during the 2019-20 bushfire season and more recent flood events to see how much effort volunteers put in when most needed. Lending a hand in the time of need is very much the Australian way.
A Volunteering Australia report provided an insight into the state of play regarding volunteers/volunteering in Australia:
Giving back to the community is what motivates volunteers. Other reasons include a personal belief in a cause or issue, wanting to make a difference, to gain skills and experience, an existing relationship with an organisation, to learn new things, to improve health and wellbeing, for fun, to make special connections, to help with activities that their children participate in, a pathway to employment, to fill in time and finally to make professional connections.
The report outlined the main areas are community service, education, environment and conservation, animal welfare, arts and culture, disaster relief, seniors, emergency response and the list goes on. Many sectors attract similar interest by a variety of the community.
When it comes to environmental volunteering in Australia, people who generally care for nature can volunteer for a selection of conservation projects. These are run by different conservation-based organisations and state and territory government departments, including various parks and wildlife services. Most programs offer volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, with limited or no prior skills or experience, opportunities to join projects that suit their availability and interests.
Some programs offer those with particular skill sets opportunities to participate in more advanced activities, such as pest management to protect both habitat and threatened species of Australian native animals.
Studies have shown feral cats alone each kill about 750 reptiles, birds and mammals a year. With a population in average conditions reported to be about 2.8 million, the number of animals killed each year by feral cats is in excess of two billion. They alone threaten the survival of more than 100 native species and have caused the extinction of many ground-dwelling birds and small- to medium-sized mammals. They are, along with foxes, a major cause for the decline in endangered species such as the bandicoot, bilby, bettong and numbat.
The Conservation and Wildlife Management (CWM) branch of the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia has a long history of reducing populations of pest animals across national park and conservation park estates. CWM has been awarded many accolades for its environmental services including a ‘Friends of Parks – Group of the Decade 1998-2008’ award by the South Australian Department of Environment and Heritage, and numerous other environmental awards, State Premier awards and Certificates of Appreciation for environmental work.
CWM offers opportunities for people who have high-level skills and competency in the use of firearms and bushcraft to help preserve Australia’s natural heritage. To join the program, new participants must complete an accreditation process involving a theory course component and a practical skills assessment. Groups operate in various states and territories and accreditation programs are adapted to the specific needs of that region.
Generally, core topics included in the theory component feature the fundamentals of firearm safety; firearm and associated hunting regulations; activity management and safety; first aid; animal welfare; firearm selection; firearm preparation; firearm use, handling and marksmanship; shot placement; navigation; and wildlife management and conservation principles.
The practical assessment is an important part of CWM accreditation. The participant must demonstrate the ability to handle and use firearms in a safe and effective manner. Strict shooting proficiency requirements must first be met to partake in pest control operations.
Animal welfare is a crucial component of pest management. Shooting is one of the most humane pest control methods available. The Australian Government publication A model for assessing the relative humaneness of pest control methods is a useful point of reference.
The appraisal of overall welfare impact of pest control methods is based across five domains. These are:
The model was not designed to provide an absolute measure of humaneness but to enable a judgment to be made about the impact of a particular control method on the target animal. When a number of these are assessed and compared to each other, a decision can be made to find the most suitable option based on the relative humaneness of the procedure. In most cases, shooting has been identified as one of the most humane techniques to control pest animals because it has the lowest negative welfare impacts on the target animal.
CWM has assisted in the conservation of many threatened native Australian species. This includes the black-flanked rock-wallaby, western quoll, eastern bristlebird, regent honeyeater, swift parrot, painted honeyeater, koala, yellow chat, Kroombit tinker frog, northern quoll, brush-tailed phascogale, dunnart, hooded plover, Leadbeater’s possum, helmeted honeyeater, Malleefowl, bush stone-curlew, spotted-tailed quoll, southern brown bandicoot and yellow-footed rock-wallaby.
If you have the skills and want to participate in a worthwhile environmental volunteering activity focused on pest management, you should get in contact with one of SSAA’s Conservation and Wildlife groups.
FAQs
What is environmental volunteering?
Environmental volunteering involves participating in activities that help protect and preserve natural ecosystems, wildlife, and landscapes. Volunteers often work with conservation groups to manage habitats and protect native species.
Do I need prior experience to volunteer for environmental conservation?
Many conservation programs welcome volunteers with little or no experience, providing training on-site. However, some roles, especially those involving pest control or advanced fieldwork, may require specific skills or certifications.
What activities do environmental volunteers do in Australia?
Environmental volunteers participate in various activities, including habitat restoration, pest animal management, native species protection, bush regeneration, tree planting, and monitoring wildlife populations.
Why is pest management important in environmental conservation?
Pest species like feral cats, foxes, and rabbits pose significant threats to native wildlife and ecosystems. Managing pest populations helps protect endangered species and prevents habitat degradation.
What impact does environmental volunteering have on personal wellbeing?
Many volunteers experience improved mental and physical health, enhanced patience, and a sense of purpose. Environmental volunteering also allows individuals to connect with like-minded people and nature.
For more information, visit ssaa.org.au/cwm, or for similar articles, purchase a copy of our latest magazine from the shop.
Our award-winning magazines and cookbooks celebrate our country’s rich biodiversity, highlighting how enjoying and protecting nature go hand in hand. As a non-profit, we proudly back the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust (CWRT), funding environmental projects and supporting budding researchers in the field.
