Volunteers are back

Content Section

ACT environmental volunteers and citizen scientists have been welcomed back into the field following a COVID-19 hiatus to continue their important conservation work.

Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman said after a two-month hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, volunteers were excited to get back to helping the local environment.

“It’s fantastic to welcome volunteers from ParkCare, Waterwatch, catchment groups and other citizen scientists back into the ACT’s environment. These dedicated individuals work every day to help protect and monitor our most important natural assets,” Minister Gentleman said.

“It’s National Volunteers Week and I am pleased these volunteers can continue their important service to community. I recognise and thank them for their dedication and hard work.

“Waterwatch volunteers monitor our local waterways and act as an early warning system for ecosystem and water quality issues, waterbugs and the condition of riverbank vegetation. More than 200 volunteers conducted over 2000 water quality surveys in 2019.

“Local volunteers will also help repair the damage from the summer’s devastating bushfires and are collecting data to help us better understand the long-term impacts.

“Canberra has the highest rate of volunteering in the nation with 36.7 per cent of adults and 57 per cent of young people volunteering in the region.

“Earlier this year the Government announced support for volunteers to undertake environmental conservation, including the continuation of the Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch program and significantly increasing funding for the RangerAssist program.”

Find out more about how to volunteer for the environment here https://actlandcare.org.au/volunteer/

 

 

Back to News