Volunteering

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Volunteers

Thank you for your patience and commitment while Parks Victoria put volunteering on hold to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives. We know your environmental volunteering work means a lot to you, as it does to us too, and we are cautiously welcoming the easing of restrictions whilst being urged to remain vigilant and ensure everyone’s safety.

As part of changes to restrictions, from 1 June 2020, up to 20 people can gather outdoors for recreational activity or exercise as long as appropriate hygiene and physical distancing provisions are observed.

Parks Victoria is working together with volunteer group leaders to put in place appropriate safety practices to recommence volunteering.  You are welcome to join any activities promoted on ParkConnect however we ask that you continue to follow public health measures and stay informed here www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Volunteer Groups

Parks Victoria must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the workplace and the means of entering and leaving it are safe and without risks to health (OHS Act 2004).  To do this we will be putting in place a process to work together with volunteer group leaders to evaluate, approve and manage activities so they can safely occur and continue to provide important outcomes for Victoria’s special places. 

Volunteer group leaders are asked to:

• Contact your local Parks Victoria staff member prior to recommencing.
• Together work through a safety assessment.
• Ensure activities are entered on ParkConnect.
• Check in and check out at the beginning and end of each activity. 
• Collect an attendance record on site with name and phone numbers of all volunteers.
• Carry the confirmation of volunteering approval and ID on site.
• Adhere to physical distancing and good hygiene practices as per DHHS guidelines'.
• Upload activity attendance records on ParkConnect.

Insights into Nature’ Webinar Series

While we are staying at home to help slow the spread of coronavirus, Parks Victoria has developed a series of webinars for volunteers and the broader community called Insights into Nature.

These webinars will be recorded and be made available to view after the event. Click on the topic title below to view the recording on YouTube.

Schedule

Presentations are free and everyone is welcome to attend.

The series start on Wednesday 13 May, 10:30 am – 12 noon and will run fortnightly. Presentations will go for an hour with questions following.

Register now to attend.

Once registered, participants will receive a link with information on how to attend online.

See the webinar series schedule (PDF) or email volunteer@parks.vic.gov.au for more information.

Volunteer in Victoria's parks 

Volunteering in parks is a great way to contribute to conserving Victoria’s special places. The many personal benefits of volunteering include learning more about plants and wildlife, gaining new skills, being in the outdoors, improving health and well being and meeting new friends. Time spent in nature also reduces stress and promotes physical wellbeing.

Discover hundreds of exciting volunteer opportunities around Victoria and learn about groups working in your local area. There are volunteer activities for every age group, skill and ability type. Join a regular group or just participate occasionally. You can volunteer for a huge range of activities, including:

• improving habitats for wildlife
• learning how to propagate plants and collect seeds
• taking photos of endangered species and habitats
• providing visitor information along popular tracks and campgrounds
• providing interpretation and guided walks

Register to become an official Parks Victoria volunteer by creating a user account and volunteer profile with details about your interests, skills, and contact information. With ParkConnect, you can look for volunteer opportunities that match your interest or location, join an activity or group, plan a volunteer group activity and record and celebrate your achievements.

Vision for the future

To find out about the future of volunteering at Parks Victoria download the Volunteering in Parks Strategic Plan.