The Link Volunteer Newsletter

Issue 78

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT UNIT

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE

Dear Volunteers,

With the New Year underway, 2013 promises to bring exciting change to the Volunteers and Visitor Services area. In early January I moved into a part time position (3 days per week) as the Director, Visitor Services, providing leadership to areas responsible for the effective delivery of visitor services priorities in line with the Visitor Strategy objectives. My new role has particularly focus on leading the implementation of the People and Parks Visitor Strategy and delivery of a number of other priority tourism and recreation projects across the Directorate.

Christel Mex, will be moving into a new role as Manager, Volunteers and Partnerships, overseeing the work of the Volunteer Support Unit and strengthening state-wide partnerships with NGO's, local government and industry. This role will be integral in the development and implementation of programs and strategies that deliver the department's "Community at the Centre" approach to volunteer support and partnerships.

I wish to thank everyone for their support during my time as the Director, Volunteers and Visitor Services. Particular thanks go to the Volunteer Support Unit and to the hundreds of volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with over the last two years.

Regards Anne Director, Visitor Services

GET INVOLVED

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

BEFRIEND ’S GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOOS Volunteer nest-watchers needed - preferably on a regular basis. Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is holding an induction and welcome BBQ for new volunteers and regulars. Where: Duck Lagoon When: 5.30pm 1 Feb. 2013 Contact: Natural Resources Kangaroo Island 8553 4444, [email protected] for more details. Photographer: Lyn Pedler

ADELAIDE DOLPHIN SANCTUARY - ACTION GROUP The ADS action group would love more volunteers to help in a number of projects including looking out for dolphin babies and providing information to recreational users about the issue of feeding dolphins, such as Captain Hook, one of the much loved Port River Dolphins. No previous experience is required but medium or long term commitment is needed.

Other projects volunteer may get involved with are: • Land based patrols of the dolphins – shadowing an experience volunteer • Community engagement • Water based patrols.

For more information about volunteering with the Dolphin Sanctuary call 8240 0178 or visit the ADS Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AdsActionGroup

CLELAND WILDLIFE PARK

Food bag production volunteers Ongoing Assist with the production and bagging of food pellets. These bags are provided to park visitors to hand feed animals throughout the park. Any relevant training will be provided to ensure that you are able to complete your voluntary work safely and confidently. Food bag production volunteers are rostered on for a minimum of one shift per month.

Animal Management Volunteers Ongoing Animal Management volunteers work closely with the keeper staff at Cleland Wildlife Park helping with the care and husbandry of our captive native wildlife population. While there is no direct handling of the animals volunteering at Cleland can be a worthwhile and rewarding experience. Some of the tasks you may be involved in include food preparation and cleaning of the food prep area, cleaning exhibits and enclosures and creating behavioural and environmental enrichment tools. Volunteers at Cleland Wildlife Park are rostered on for an allocated day a minimum of 2 days per month.

For more information about either of these positions contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Cleland Wildlife Park on (08) 8130 9008 or [email protected].

WANTED… CAMPGROUND HOSTS! If you love camping and want to share your passion for the great outdoors, then become a campground host. Campground hosts are volunteers who are stationed in national park campsites and support the park rangers with the management of the park and its visitors throughout the year. Campground hosts generally: • welcome campers • assist visitors to select a camp site • share information about campsite rules, facilities and attractions • provide visitors with general information about local flora, fauna and natural/cultural attractions • regularly check on facilities and ensure the campground is kept tidy • liaise with the rangers regarding site conditions, facilities and any visitor issues.

Surfleet Cove – Lincoln NP Photo – P & H Hastings

Do you know anyone who may be interested? It could suit your family, friends, or maybe even you? To find out more, contact Lynn Newman on 8124 4841 or email [email protected].

KANGAROO ISLAND PLANTING FESTIVAL – 2013 – PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY! The 2013 Kangaroo Island Planting Festival will be held on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July 2013 and preparations are already underway on a new site where we will be aiming to restore 25 hectares of habitat for some of Kangaroo Island’s rarest plant life. More information will be available a little closer to the event, but for now please mark these dates in your shiny new 2013 diaries, electronic gadgets and old-fashioned wall calendars so you won’t miss out!

LOUTH BAY COASTAL RESTORATION- Saturday 9 February and Saturday 16 March (leaving 8:00am from Port Lincoln) FREE to Join The Louth Bay Community Club needs your help to water and dig out “moats” for native plants to ensure their survival over summer. On Saturday morning they will water trees, shrubs and groundcovers to help them establish roots and sustain them over the summer months. Light lunch provided afterwards. For more information visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au or contact Hamish Longbottom, Project Officer - Coastal Communities Environment Program, phone 8682 7532 or email [email protected].

CULTANA JENKINS SHACKOWNERS ASSOCIATION COASTAL RESTORATION (WHYALLA) FRIDAY 5 TO MONDAY 8 APRIL Conservation Volunteers will be assisting the “Shackies” to ensure protection of geologically and culturally significant shingle dunes and coastal areas north of Fitzgerald Bay approx 30km from Whyalla. Volunteers will help restore fencing, barriers and install signage to minimise illegal vehicle tracks and damage to the coastal vegetation and wildlife habitat. For more information visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au or contact Hamish Longbottom, Project Officer - Coastal Communities Environment Program, phone 8682 7532 or email [email protected].

GREAT GROPER COUNT! Would you like to see one of these? So would we! Join Reefwatch in snorkel surveys across to help us with a snapshot of western blue groper and other reef fish. Where will it happen? We will be visiting the west coast, Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula and the south east during January to April 2013. What does it involve? You need to be able to snorkel and bring your own snorkel gear. Reefwatch will provide training and survey gear for FREE! Go on, take the plunge! Contact Steve on 0400 272 177 or [email protected]. Photo by Vicki Billings

EVENTS

DOLPHIN DAY AT THE ADELAIDE DOLPHIN SANCTUARY Take advantage of a fun and unique opportunity to learn more about the Port River dolphins, their habitat and how you can get involved with the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. When: Sunday 20 January, 10am – 1pm Where: Fisherman’s Wharf, Port Adelaide The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is one of the gems of metropolitan Adelaide. Located in the Port River and Barker Inlet, the sanctuary is just 20 minutes from the city centre and features a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest. The river is home to a resident pod of about 30 bottlenose dolphins, while another 300 visit the area regularly. Activities include: — marine mammals talks by the SA Museum and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society — information stalls — free dolphin cruises in the Dolphin Explorer (for conditions and bookings, please visit the website) — kids’ activities including a dolphin ID trail, face painting, and touch and learn tables. For more information, please visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/DolphinDay.

FRIENDS OF PARKS INC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING When: Monday, 13 May, 2013, 10.00am Where: Volunteer Centre, For more information contact David Mitchell on 8251 1088 or email [email protected].

COASTAL COMMUNITIES WORKSHOPS- WHYALLA, PORT LINCOLN AND CEDUNA (20, 21 AND 22 MARCH RESPECTIVELY) Conservation Volunteers will be hosting the 3rd round of workshops in for the Coastal Communities Environment Program. The workshops will cover a variety of topics and provide information to participants about local achievements and issues and also provide a networking opportunity. For more information about the workshops follow the links below. Whyalla www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/project/info?projectId=50709 Port Lincoln www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/project/info?projectId=50713 Ceduna www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/project/info?projectId=50714

GRANTS

GRANT GURU COMMUNITY WEBSITE Grant Guru Community is Australia’s largest free, searchable listing of nation-wide grants and funding programs for community based and not-for-profit organisations. Visit http://community.grantready.com.au to see what is available.

AWARDS

2013 ROTARY VOLUNTEER/S OF THE PARKS AWARD AND LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION AWARD Nominations are now open for the Rotary Club of Burnside Inc's Awards for 'Leadership in Conservation' and 'Volunteer/s of the Parks'.

The Volunteer/s of the Parks Award is awarded by the Rotary Club of Burnside, to an individual or couple who exemplify the spirit and dedication of the Friends of Parks movement.

Eligibility Criteria The award is open to Friends of Parks volunteers. There is no ‘minimum years of service’ required. In selecting the successful nominee(s), the Selection Panel will consider the: • Outstanding Service demonstrated by the nominee (eg innovation in program or technique, excelled in leadership, project development etc) • Positive impact made by the nominated person to the parks system and to the Friends of Parks organisation

The ‘Leadership in Conservation Award’ is awarded by the Rotary Club of Burnside, to recognise the dedication of Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources staff members.

Eligibility Criteria The award is open to all staff working with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. There is no ‘minimum years of service’ required.

In selecting the successful nominee, the Selection Panel will consider the: • Outstanding service demonstrated by the nominee (eg innovation in program or technique, excelled in leadership, project development etc) • Positive impact made by the nominated person to the parks system • Support to volunteers or other community groups

Nominations Nominations for both awards can be made by an individual volunteer, volunteer group, agency staff or community member. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website: www.environment.sa.gov.au. Nominations may be supported by additional information. Please see the nomination form for more details. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Peter Neale - 0413 738 558, or Mr Will Danby - 0408 151 003. Nominations close 28 February 2013.

BITS ‘N PIECES

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT AMENDMENTS Closing date for submissions on the draft National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill has been extended to January 25. The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 is being amended to introduce a new reserve category system for South Australia. The amendments include: • modernising the reserve categories by establishing a clearly-defined system of reserve categories • including overarching objects for the reserve system and its management • providing clarity on which reserve categories provide for mining access and other extractive resource uses. A Draft Amendment Bill has been prepared which proposes the new reserve category system. It also clarifies provisions relating to co-management of parks and reserves, and makes a number of other minor amendments. For more information visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/haveyoursay/npwactamendments or call Jason Irving 8124 4707 or Kathryn Nicolai 8463 4842

CALIFORNIAN CONSERVATION CORPS VISIT AT TUNARAMA Port Lincoln and Conservation Volunteers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of volunteers from the Californian Conservation Corps. The team of 10 aged 18-25 years will arrive during the Tunarama Festival and will stay at the new Port Lincoln YHA. Conservation Volunteers Project Officer Hamish Longbottom says the arrival of the Californians will be a boost for conservation in the area. “They are an enthusiastic and highly motivated group who have made a real impression in the communities they have worked with. During their stay the team will have an opportunity to discover Port Lincoln, enjoy the Tunarama Festival, join in Australia Day celebrations and contribute to the community and conservation effort in Eyre Peninsula- what an experience!”

The Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula welcomes the Corps who has been involved in the volunteer exchange program with Conservation Volunteers since 1987. You can meet the Corps participants at the Conservation Volunteers information stall at Tunarama where you can also find out about coastal rehabilitation and monitoring. After the Festival, the Corps will assist the Friends of Southern Eyre Parks for 5 days with rabbit warren surveys conducted in Lincoln National Park.

This project is a partnership with Conservation Volunteers, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula and local community groups, made possible by the Federal Government’s Caring for Our Country Initiative. For more information about Conservation Volunteers and volunteering in your local area visit Hamish at the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board office at 23 Napoleon Street, Port Lincoln or visit their stall at the Tunarama Festival or call Hamish on (08) 8682 7532

FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK

The Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc is a voluntary organisation that supports Black Hill, Horsnell Gully and Morialta Conservation Parks. To find out more about their activities visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fobhm.org

The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Action Group are proactive volunteers that give their time to help monitor and care for the Port River Dolphins and to help make the Port River and Barker Inlet a safer place for them to live. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AdsActionGroup#!/AdsActionGroup

The South Australian Herpetology Group is a not for profit group that aims to promote the study of, interest in, and conservation of reptile and frog species. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/South-Australian-Herpetology-Group-Inc/149714341763279

Campground Host – Australia - Volunteering as a Campground Host is a fantastic way to see magnificent parks from the ocean to the mountains as well as the desert while at the same time providing a valuable volunteer service. This page has been created for past, present or future people interested in this program where you can share your stories, pics as well as thoughts but most importantly stay in contact with those you meet along the way. www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Campground-Host-Australia/286798384692614

Is your group on Facebook? If you would like to promote your page, or share information on volunteer activities and events in the next Link newsletter send your details to [email protected].

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

Albert Einstein

Disclaimer While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources makes no representations and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the contents. Reference to any company, product or service in this publication should not be taken as a Departmental endorsement of the company, product or service.