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Wollemi Conservation Project
Wollemi National Park, NSW, Australia
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| Where | Wollemi National Park, NSW, Australia |
| When | March to May, September to November |
| The Work | • Analysing impacts from feral predators • Species surveys • Use motion sensitive cameras to identify and track native animals • Invasive vegetation management |
| Accomodation | Camping |
| Return | Rylstone, NSW, Australia |
| Group Size | Max 10, min 6 participants |
| Contribution | AU$500 per person |
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.
Wild Mob is proud to partner with Wollemi National Park, the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and Walan Cultural Connections as part of the Wollemi conservation project.
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Located around 200km north west of Sydney, Wollemi National Park covers 500 hectares and forms the second-largest wilderness area in New South Wales. It is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area formed in 2000. The park’s landscape is made up of breathtaking canyons, cliffs and undisturbed forests that support a diverse range of native wildlife and flora, including the Wollemi Pine.
The Wollemi Pine was discovered in the park in 1994. It belongs to the 200-million-year-old Araucariacaea family and is one of the world’s oldest living plant species, dating back to the Jurassic period. There are less than 100 known parent trees in existence. Access is restricted in the park, but conservation efforts have enabled cuttings of the original plants to be purchased to support the survival of this species.
In recent years feral activity has become a significant concern, posing a great risk to native wildlife. Another problem is the environmental stress caused by unguided trampling of native species and spreading of invasive weeds. Wild Mob works alongside NSW Parks and Wildlife Service to help with feral management strategy and conservation of the biodiversity in Wollemi National Park.
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Volunteers will be involved in various activities designed to survey and mitigate feral species impacts using scat and track plots combined with camera traps to identify and monitor movements within the park. Participants will also assist with general park maintenance. This may involve identification and removal of introduced plant species, walking track construction or fence upkeep and maintenance. Staff will provide training for the required conservation work. These activities are suitable for anyone with a good level of fitness and working hours will be adjusted to the suit the group’s abilities and weather conditions. Wild Mob believes happy volunteers are productive volunteers – we aim to create an enjoyable and educational working environment each and every day.
The project will focus on the interactions and impacts of feral animals within the park’s ecosystems. Volunteers will gain insight into the local Aboriginal history of the Wiradjuri people and their customs, including kinship, roles of Aboriginal songs and dances and the importance of sacred sites. Project leaders will also familiarise participants with the natural processes taking place all around them while in the national park. Wild Mob staff have backgrounds in environmental management and education, and love to share their knowledge with volunteers in a practical learning environment.
While participating in the Wollemi Conservation project, volunteers will stay at a campsite in Olinda, just outside Wollemi National Park. 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. Toilets and a bush shower are available. We recommend bringing sufficient clothes for six days, as there are no laundry facilities at the camp.
The Wollemi base camp has basic facilities. Electricity is available but there is no Internet access. Telstra offers limited mobile phone reception.
The Greater Blue Mountain World Heritage Area offers a wide range of activities, including hikes, rock climbing, abseiling and white water rafting. Why not visit one of the many historic towns like Kandos, Mudgee, Hill End, Sofala and Turon River. The regions surrounding Sydney are also home to many wineries, restaurants and galleries. For more information visit:
www.visitnsw.com/zone/Sydney_Surrounds.aspx.
Ready to register? You can download a form here: Registration Form
For a full description of the project, click here to download a PDF: Wollemi Project Description.