A shout out to volunteers caring for landscapes

It’s National Volunteer Week (16-22 May) so what better time to shine a light on environmental volunteering in South Australia? Here’s arun-down on what they do, why they do it, and how you can do it too.

Let’s start with a definition: 'Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain' (Volunteering Australia website, 11 May 2022)

Well, there may be no financial gains but the evidence shows there are plenty of other benefits.

Volunteering Australia reports that people who volunteer are happier, healthier and even have better sleep.

There’s also stacks of research that shows that being out in nature brings its own benefits, which suggests that those volunteering while being outside in a natural setting are on track to reap even more rewards.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many South Australians are volunteering for the environment, but the SA Nature Alliance – a collaboration between 12 nature conservation organisations – say they collectively engage more than 270,000 South Australians to deliver projects that restore our landscapes, create more sustainable agriculture, support nature-based volunteering, raise awareness about nature, deliver carbon offsets, and protect threatened species.

We owe our volunteers a debt of gratitude.

Why volunteer for the environment?

Alinytjara Wilurara (AW) – which covers the north-west third of the state – offers 5 good reasons to volunteer for the environment. You can:

1. help keep our unique landscapes healthy for future generations
2. connect with Country and community
3. learn about traditional and western landscape management practices
4. share your passion for, and knowledge of Country
5. improve your health and wellbeing by connecting with nature.

How to find the right volunteering opportunity

Volunteers in the AW region have the opportunity to see and deeply connect with remote and unique landscapes.

We provide training for specific jobs including health and safety, and can advise you on your travel and accommodation needs.

You can volunteer directly with AW, or with other groups that are active in the region, such as Friends of the Great Victoria Desert and Desert Discovery.

The opportunities are broad and varied. Maybe you’d like to experience new landscapes by volunteering outside of your local region?

Here’s some ideas to get you started:

• Explore the websites of local groups that do environmental work. You could start with the National Landcare Directory, Trees for Life, Conservation Australia and Volunteering SA.
• Become a community scientist in your own backyard by exploring the Australian Citizen Science Project Finder.

Landscape boards are here to help

While the type of support they offer may differ, landscape boards across the state work to support environmental volunteering. For example, they can:

• help find the right environmental volunteering opportunity to suit your skills and interest
• connect volunteer groups in local areas so they have the chance to coordinate their work, learn from each other and feel part of a collective effort.
• highlight funding opportunities, including Grassroots Grants that support not-for-profit community-based organisations, volunteer groups and individuals to run local projects that help care for our soil, water and biodiversity, and form partnerships to undertake important environmental projects together.
• in some regions, offer practical support with things like insurance and training, and access to loan equipment
• help volunteer groups see how their work aligns with their local landscape plan that sets out the community’s priorities for their region. Volunteers relish knowing that they are part of a well-planned strategic effort and where their contribution fits. And communities rely on the work of volunteers to be able to deliver on their local plan.