Volunteers form the backbone of Arid Recovery and it is thanks to the many hours of volunteering contributed since 1998 that Arid Recovery has managed to achieve so much towards the conservation and restoration of the arid zone.

Volunteers engage in activities ranging from constructing and maintaining the fence and infrastructure, to assisting with research and monitoring, leading tours, manning the market stall, events, photography, equipment maintenance and so much more. There is bound to be a task that you can not only assist us with, but that you can genuinely enjoy and gain from it, a huge sense of 'putting something back'.

Some tasks such as sewing animal bags for annual trapping can be done from home, even from another State, and many volunteers time their holiday break to coincide with annual trapping or other special envents, so there are opportunities for people from all over the world to get involved.

To participate as an AR Volunteer you must first register as a Friend of Arid Recovery This attracts a modest annual fee of $15.00 and this also provides you with special benefits associated with AR events and activities. To sign up please continue to the Friends of Arid Recovery page.

Call for volunteers:-

Annual Trapping - February or September annually
Fence and Reserve maintenance - continuous
Weekend checking of cat traps - continuous
Evening supplementary feeding of the new WBBs - to Nov 2011
Helping with the monthly market stall - on-going
Helpingwith fundraising and events - on-going
Become a tour guide - on-going

For further information regarding any of the following Volunteer Opportunites or to register your interest please contact the Community Education Officer

Phone: (08) 8671 8282
Email: info@aridrecovery.com

ARID RECOVERY TOURS (Seeking new tour guides)

Arid Recovery volunteers run tag-along tours of the Reserve. Tours include a guided walk to the viewing platform for sunset then a visit to the nocturnal viewing hide where nocturnal re-introduced species can be observed. Full training & an information manual is provided. This is a very rewarding experience for both the guide and the tourists.

ANNUAL TRAPPING

Each February, Arid Recovery conducts its annual pitfall and Elliott trapping to monitor lizards and small mammals inside and outside the Reserve. This is a week-long activity and volunteers must be prepared to participate in the entire week of trapping. Its a great way to learn about the native fauna in our area as we catch up to 40 different species over the week. Food and accommodation is provided and a travel subsidy may be available for those people from out of town. If you would like to be involved in next year's trapping, email or phone arid recovery staff to book your place. This event is always popular so remember to book early (preference may be given to students studying environmental sciences or those with prior experience).
Annual cage trapping also occurs in September annually and although this is not as big an event as the February event, it offers opportunities for volunteers to assist.

MARKET DAY STALL

AR volunteers host a stall at the Roxby Downs Market Day each month, and it’s a great opportunity to help educate locals and visitors about the Arid Recovery project and to promote arid zone conservation. Merchandise sales from the market day raise funds for AR projects, and working on the stall is an excellent way to meet people and to get involved in the community!

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE (Data Entry & General Office Duties)

The Arid Recovery Staff are always looking for anyone who is able to assist them with tasks such as data-entry, newsletter mail-outs, desktop publishing, photocopying and filing. Some of this work can be done from home and so presents an opportunity for those at home with young children to get involved.

GENERAL FUNDRAISING IDEAS & CONTRIBUTIONS

Do you have any fundraising ideas? Are you keen to help out with events, or with fundraising such as selling raffle tickets? Please contact the Community Education Officer for more information or to volunteer.

HERBARIUM SAMPLES (Native Flora)

Do you have an interest in, or would you like to learn more about native plants? We are currently looking at creating a herbarium of all the species of plants found inside the Reserve. This would involve collecting samples, plant identification, pressing, and collating. No prior knowledge is required and it’s an excellent way to learn about our Native Flora.

SEEKING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Arid Recovery is always seeking keen, experienced photographers to assist us with taking publication quality photos of the Reserve and its inhabitants. If you are skilled in photography and have some time to assist we would like to hear from you.

FENCING & RESERVE MAINTENANCE

Do you have a spare couple of hours and want to help? There are so many tasks the staff would love a hand with fence checking, fence maintenance, weed control, or even just assisting the staff with whatever they are doing on the day.

CHECKING CAT TRAPS (weekends)

There are 20 permanent traps set around the perimeter of the fence to reduce pressure on the fence from feral animals. Checking them involves logging onto a website to remotely check the traps. If a trap has been set off, the trap needs to be checked and attended to in person. A current firearms license and training is necessary for this job.

SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING

This presents a very special opportunity for individuals, friends, couples or families to contribute directly to the survival of a highly threatened native animal. Up until November 2010, the 5 Western Barred Bandicoots translocated from WA need suppletmentary feeding and observing, currently on alternate evenings. This is a magic time of the day at the Reserve, and a unique experience. Training is provided and you can offer to assist for a set period, or perhaps on a weekly or monthly basis. Contact the Ecologist for more information.