Endangered Species Recovery Project at Avocet Nature Reserve, Queensland, Australia

Avocet Conservation Project

Emerald, QLD, Australia

Where	Emerald, QLD, Australia
When	April to November
The Work	• Conduct surveys native species populations • Survey feral predators using motion-activated cameras and sand plots • General maintenance in Avocet reserve area
Skill	No specific skills required
Accomodation	Camping
Return	Mackay / Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
Group Size	Max 11, min 6 participants
Contribution	AU$500 per person

Avocet Conservation Project

Learning about Bridled nailtail wallaby conservation at Avocet Nature Reserve

Aboriginal cultural site near Avocet Nature Reserve

Exploring Aboriginal Cultural Sites near Avocet

Baby Bridled Nailtail Wallaby in Release Pen

Want to see more? Visit our Avocet photo collection on Flickr.

Volunteer Feedback

Robyn from Queensland in June 2011:

It was a true bushcamp experience, really being away, and without the hassle of providing any gear. Learning about the sand traps and footprints definitely sparked my interest.

Traditional Owner Acknowledgement

Wild Mob would respectfully like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners, their Elders past and present, as well as the important role Indigenous people continue to play in the Land where we carry out our conservation projects.

Project Partners

Wild Mob is proud to partner with the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Trust and the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) as part of the Avocet conservation project.

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About the Project

The Avocet Nature Reserve is found in central Queensland, approximately 270km’s west of Rockhampton. The endangered Brigalow scrublands and savanna grasslands found on the reserve provide habitat for a large range of native fauna. During the stay at the reserve, volunteers often spot wildlife including Grey Kangaroos, Black Striped Wallabies, Rufous Bettongs, Wallaroos, Brushtail Possums and Sugar Gliders, as well as countless bird species. The Avocet Nature Reserve also supports a population of around one hundred endangered Bridled Nailtail Wallabies.

The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, also known as the Flashjack Wallaby, was thought to be extinct until 1973, when it was recorded on a cattle station near Dingo in central Queensland.

Inspired by this particular Wallaby, cattle station owner Hugo Spooner established what has become the Avocet Nature Reserve. The State Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has been supporting the release of Flashjacks onto the property since 2003. Current estimates show that populations are still severely threatened — only minor numbers remain in the wild. Wild Mob is proud to be working with the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Trust to support the essential work of the researchers at the Avocet Nature Reserve. To learn more about the Bridled Nailtail recovery plan, visit the DERM website.

Upcoming Projects

8 to 13 August 2012
12 to 17 October 2012

Univeristy Student Holiday Projects

26 June to 1 July (Griffith StudentLinx)
23 to 28 September

(more uni dates to be announced)

2-Week Queensland Conservation Projects

You can join us for only the Avocet Conservation Project, or along with the Brampton Island Conservation Project as part of a 2-week experience. Special rates are available for the 2-week projects, though spaces are limited. Learn more about the 2012 2-week projects here.

Project Work

Volunteers will help with a range of activities contributing to the conservation of the Flashjack Wallaby and overall reserve management. Activities may include Flashjack trapping and monitoring exercises. Additionally, a key task will be surveying feral activity through monitoring sand traps, sensor cameras and trapping stations. General reserve maintenance and bird surveys might also be part of the work. Staff will provide training for the required conservation work. The project is suitable for volunteers with a moderate fitness level. Wild Mob believes happy volunteers are productive volunteers — we aim to create an enjoyable and educational working environment each and every day.

Educational Components

The ecosystems of the Avocet property and abundance of wildlife provide a range of educational opportunities for volunteers attending the project. Working alongside Wild Mob and DERM staff will give volunteers first-hand experience of the operational duties of ecologists and conservation officers as well as valuable insights in endangered species management.

Living Conditions and Facilities

While participating in the Avocet Nature Reserve project, volunteers will stay at a bush camp facility on the property. All-weather, three-man tents will be shared between two volunteers. Wild Mob will provide all camping equipment including sleeping bags, liners and thin sleeping mats. Volunteers will need to bring their own pillow. There will be a composting toilet and bush shower available. We recommend bringing sufficient clothes for five days, as there are no laundry facilities at the camp.

Avocet Nature Reserve campsite is a bush camp. There is no access to electricity and Internet. Optus and Telstra phones receive an intermittent service.

Additional Activities

There is a lot to see and do at Avocet Nature Reserve. While on the project, volunteers can take part in additional activities including:

After dark safari for a different perspective of the ecosystems and a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife
Sunset walk though Minerva National Park, enjoying the breathtaking view from the top of Virgin Rock as the sun sets over central Queensland
Visit to nearby Indigenous cultural sites

To find out more about Queensland's National and Marine Parks visit: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au.

Registration

Ready to register? You can download a form here: Registration Form

Detailed Project Description

For a full description of the project, click here to download a PDF: Avocet Project Description.