The Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group (CWG) was established in response to public concern about the spread of wilding conifers in the district. The groups principle concerns are around the severe adverse effects of wilding conifers on nature conservation/restoration/biodiversity, visual landscape impact, primary industries (such as farming and power production), water yield and increased fire risk.
CWG run volunteer days to appropriate sites to help get wilding conifers under control in the district. The volunteers days are normally held in stunningly beautiful locations and in areas not normally accessible to Joe Public.
The role involves:
- hand-pulling of seedlings
- sawing and lopping of saplings
- the application of paste herbicide
- walking up, down and sidling along steep slopes
Transport and tools are provided. Lunch is often provided too.
Training will be provided of how to use the tools and herbicide safely. There will also be a site specific safety briefing. You can use hand tools only without herbicide if you wish.
Benefits of Volunteering:
- a great opportunity to meet like-minded people
- make a difference to the heritage of our area
- you may gain new skills
- gain a sense of achievement
- spend some time in places that you would not otherwise have the opportunity to do
Requirements
This role would suit someone with:
- Some experience of hiking in the outdoors
- Enthusiasm and keen to learn about the issue, and some good yarns help
- Hiking boots or good footwear for walking over steep, slippery, uneven ground
Volunteers will also need:
- Protective gloves (e.g good gardening gloves)
- Protective eyewear (sunglasses will do if you can where them all day when working, otherwise clear safety glasses)
- A belt (for holding your saw and/or paste holster)
- Sun hat, sun glasses and sun screen
- Warm layers including rain jacket and warm hat (even on a nice forecasted day)
- Snacks and water to drink
- A back pack to carry it all in
Time commitment
- Come along to as many working bees as you are able
- Usually the group is out for a whole long day with a long drive so starting early and home late
- They typically work about 6.5 hours with 30min to 1 hour lunch
- Drive time can be typically 30-60 mins one way (but can be up to 2 hours one way)
- They only work in the daylight but could be travelling in the dark
- You can arrange your own transport and do fewer hours if you need to
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Apply for this role:
Dunedin