FS - volunteers - Parks Victoria

Alpine Planning
help guide the future of Victoria’s parks
FACT SHEET
VOLUNTEERING IN ALPINE PARKS
Parks Victoria welcomes volunteers in all parks. Volunteers
can be any age and have any level of skill and ability.
Research has shown that volunteering, especially working
with nature, is great for your mind, body and spirit.
Volunteers help out in a wide range of activities; from
environmental works to performing track inspections and
maintenance works. Some volunteers act as campground
hosts and track rangers and provide information to park
visitors about activities, track conditions and attractions.
Many organisations and clubs have an active interest in
park management and volunteer to help. This valuable
assistance is mutually beneficial, providing insights into
park values and management challenges - and allowing
club members to help create and implement solutions.
For example, within the Greater Alpine Parks, the Victorian
High Country Huts Association has helped with the
management and rebuilding of huts. Other clubs and
groups with an active interest include the St Gwinear Ski
Patrol, who have an active interest in Baw Baw National
Park, Walhalla Heritage League and the Victorian
Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, as well as individual
four wheel drive clubs, who have assisted in track
management and operating a Camp Host program in
which four wheel drive clubs take on the role of Camp
Host.
A friends group is a team of individuals who have a strong
interest in a park or an aspect of park management such as
the protection of a particular species or area. Friends
groups work with Parks Victoria to improve that park or
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work on the protection of that species. A number of friends
groups are active within the planning area.
Friends of Baw Baw National Park
Friends of Bogong
Friends of Clover Arboretum
Friends of the Cobberas
Friends of Errinundra National Park
Friends of Grant Historic Area
Friends of the Mitta Valley
Friends of Mount Buffalo National Park
Friends of Wonnangatta Valley
Parks Victoria also selects and trains volunteers as
campground hosts and track rangers. Campground hosts
reside in a camping area, like Mount Buffalo’s Lake Catani
campground, during peak season and provide visitors with
ideas about how they can enjoy the park and answer any
questions visitors may have.
Volunteer track rangers have been located at Mount
Buffalo undertaking mainly day walks. Depending on
experience and knowledge, track rangers may also hike
into more remote locations, such as Mount Feathertop and
Mount Bogong, to help visitors enjoy their park experience.
The ability to continue to protect and enhance Victoria’s
alpine parks depends on the assistance and support from
friends groups and volunteers. This assistance and support
is highly valued by Parks Victoria.
Anyone interested in volunteering should visit Parks
Victoria’s website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
where they can find more information about friends
groups and the campground host and track ranger
programs, as well as other opportunities to volunteer
in one of Victoria’s many parks.
Information about the Victorian Association of Four
Wheel Drive Clubs’ camp host program can be
found on their website www.fwdvictoria.org.au.
Take a fresh approach to
planning
Join us at
www.weplan.parks.vic.gov.au
or phone 13 1963 for more
information
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