Dakalanta - 2026 Dakalanta Wombat and Mallefowl Mound Census

2026 Dakalanta WOMBAT AND MALLEEFOWL CENSUS  

A person with a backpack walking in a fieldAI-generated content may be incorrect. 

 

Project Title:   2026 Dakalanta Wombat Warren and Malleefowl Mound Census  

Dates: 1st April - 15th April 2026 

Project description:  
This is an exciting opportunity to spend time with Australian Wildlife Conservancy ecologists in a unique habit. You will be estimating the population of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats to inform our conservation and land management activities, and locating Malleefowl mounds (i.e., nests) across Dakalanta.  

 

Dakalanta is located on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, connecting Cocata Conservation Park and other nearby protected areas to form part of the WildEyre program. The southern portion of the sanctuary consists of low rises and flats of calcrete with very shallow soils, areas of which were cleared of the original Drooping She-oak grassy woodlands (now classified by the federal government as critically endangered). The central and northern portion of the property supports more intact vegetation, on low sand ridges or shallow calcareous loam flats. The sanctuary supports around 250 plant species, including a stunning array of mallee species and more than 20 species of small ground orchids. There are Native Pine woodlands (Southern Cypress Pine is increasing on the property due to reduced grazing pressure), low mallee woodlands with a spinifex understorey, as well as pockets of hollow-rich Redgum woodlands, and nectar-rich Swamp Paperbark shrublands.

 

Volunteer tasks:   

Volunteers will work as a team lead by Project Coordinator and AWC Sanctuary staff to carry out tasks including: 

 

  • Navigating to wombat warrens using GPS, physical maps, and apps like Avenza 

  • Identifying wombat warrens 

  • Counting the number of active entrances to a wombat warren 

  • Recording data at each wombat warren   

  • Walking along transects using GPS devices to stay on transect 

  • Identifying any Malleefowl mounds seen on transect 

  • Recording the location and information about the mound 

 

Things to be aware of when considering applying for this volunteer role/requirements:  

  • Please bring your own camping gear and food with you. 

  • Peanut butter allergies.  For other surveys, we regularly use universal bait (which consists of peanut butter) so for this reason we cannot guarantee a nut-free environment and something which should be considered if you have allergies. 

  • Bring clothing for cold nights but warm sunny days 

  • Phone and internet is not available, but town is a ~1 hour drive away for reception if needed.  

 

AWC Provides:  

  • All necessary training 

  • Water for drinking and cooking 

  •  

Volunteers Provide:   

  • Camping gear:  

  • Tent or equivalent (caravans may be fine, please contact Keith Bellchambers to discuss) 

  • Bedding: pillow, doona or sleeping bag, etc 

  • Cooking gear: portable gas cooker, crockery, etc.  

  • Food for duration of trip including plenty of snacks. 

  • Towel 

  • Clothes for fieldwork eg. long pants, long sleeved shirts.  

  • Closed in, sturdy shoes for walking over sticks, rocks, uneven surfaces and to protect toes if something is dropped on them 

  • Broad-brimmed hat  

  • Warm clothes.   

  • Raincoat (just in case) 

  • Head torch for getting around at night 

  • Sunscreen 

  • Insect repellent 

  • Water bottles (at least two or three at 1L each, minimum)  

  • Toiletries and any medication for the duration of your stay (closest chemist and doctor is approx. 40mins drive away) 

  • Day backpack 

  • Sunglasses 

 

Project Coordinator Contact:  

Kahli Gifford: 0468 925 754, Kahli.Gifford@australianwildlife.org  

Keith Bellchambers: Keith.Bellchambers@australianwildlife.org  

 

Recruitment Process- AWC Project Coordinators will assess volunteers’ profiles upon application (signup). Suitable candidates that meet project requirements will be contacted directly for a follow up discussion before final decisions are made. Once successful candidates have been offered a position volunteers will be assigned to the project and should expect to receive all relevant onboarding documentation soon after and before deployment. Please ensure your MyImpact profile is complete with contact details and all supporting information to provide you with the best opportunity for a successful placement.  

Qualifications Required

  • I have read and agree to the Code of Conduct (see info icon for file link) Must be I Agree
  • I have read and agree to abide by the Volunteer Agreement (see info icon for file link) Must be I Agree
  • I understand that both the 2025 AWC Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct must be accepted prior to engaging in volunteer activities Must be YES
  • I understand that it is my responsibility (and recommended by AWC) to have my own personal and vehicle insurance cover, and that AWC’s insurance may not cover me in the event of an incident. Must be Yes

Schedule Summary

The next 10 shifts (out of 15 total shifts) for this activity are as follows


Date Start Time End Time
Wednesday, April 01, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Thursday, April 02, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Friday, April 03, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 04, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Sunday, April 05, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Monday, April 06, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Tuesday, April 07, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 08, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Thursday, April 09, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Friday, April 10, 2026 8:00 AM 4:00 PM