Task

Tasks include:

• managing invasive weeds
• helping with pest control
• planting trees
• monitoring birds
• helping a beach clean-up
• potting seedlings, or
• doing small building tasks.

These are social events and are usually suitable for a range of fitness levels and skills. We encourage people of all ages to join us.

These help to restore the biodiversity, and help out ecosystems and wildlife habitat in the Whanganui region.

As well as helping us, you'll also:

• learn about the history of the project area
• gain new skills
• get some exercise
• make new friends, and
• see some of our amazing wildlife

Opportunities

Gordon Park

• Gordon Park is a small reserve that is a precious sample of lowland forest – one of the last remaining in this area, just 5 minutes from Whanganui East.
• DOC and volunteers meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 9 am-12 noon and fourth Thursday of each month from 1 pm - 4 pm.
• Tasks include weed control, planting, checking pest traps and periodic monitoring of plant and bird species.

Bushy Park Tarapuruhi

• Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is a large 100 ha forest surrounded by a predator proof fence with abundant wildlife and is a 25 minute drive from central Whanganui.
• Volunteers undertake regular checks of the fence and some bird monitoring along with pest and weed control and restoration planting.

Castlecliff Coastcare

• Castlecliff Coastcare are a dedicated group that actively cares for the Castlecliff coastline through regular planting days and predator trapping along with beach clean ups.

Predator Free Whanganui

• Undertake conservation volunteering in your own backyard by trapping. Predator Free Whanganui has a growing trap library with resources to support this mahi.

Hylton Park, Aramoho

• The Friends of Hylton Park are working hard to enhance Hylton Park and are always looking for more helpers to care for this environment.

The Learning Environment, Piwakawaka Farm Papaiti

• The Learning Environment is dedicated to regenerating Piwakawaka Farm as part of supporting the social and environmental wellbeing of Whanganui. They offer courses that heal, inspire and develop capacity for personal and collective resilience and are always looking for volunteer support.

Sustainable Whanganui

• Sustainable Whanganui wants the whole community to flourish in these changing and challenging times. They have an array of projects including Fruit Trees in Schools, Green bikes and the ReUse Academy and volunteer support is always welcome.

Specialised opportunities

• If you have specialised skills or qualifications that you’d like to use with DOC (such as carpentry, painting, botany, working at heights or graphic skills) contact us to discuss opportunities.

What to bring

• Water bottle
• Sun hat and raincoat
• Personal medication
• Phone
• Good footwear. Boots are preferred
• Back pack
• Food for lunch if needed

What we'll provide

• On-site training
• Hand tools
• Drinking water and light refreshments
• First aid kit
• Personal protective equipment as needed such as gloves, hi-vis vest, eyewear
• Field equipment as needed such as bait, traps, map, and GPS

Contact and apply

For more information about volunteering in Whanganui, contact Community Senior Ranger Katy Newton.

Phone: +64 6 349 2100 or +64 27 384 3724

Email: knewton@doc.govt.nz