Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Mt Gibson Feral Species Camera Survey Image Processing

Project description: Come join us at Mt Gibson WA to help with our bi-annual servicing of our Feral Species Camera Survey! The Mt Gibson Feral Species Camera Survey (FSCS) is an annual survey across 70 sites outside the fenced exclosure. The main aim of FSCS is to assess the activity, detection rates and spatial and temporal distribution of key feral species, including feral cats (Felis catus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), as well as Dingoes (Canis familiaris dingo) and Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata). The data collected through the FSCS are used to inform conservation activities and land and species management on Mt Gibson, including 1) determining tolerable thresholds of feral predator activity and 2) assessing the impact of targeted cat, fox and rabbit control activities on target and non-target species.

Round 1 volunteer will assist with servicing remote cameras, involving navigating to camera sites off-track and working independently on a remote site. Both round 1 and round 2 volunteers will help with processing images collected from cameras, including identifying animals to species level. Round 2 volunteer will only be assisting with image processing. Two dates are available to volunteers (see rounds below), with one volunteer required for each period.

Dates:

Round 1: 24^th March – 2^nd April

Round 2: 7^th – 17^th April

Volunteer tasks:  

Volunteers will work both in a team and independently to carry out tasks including:

• Driving and walking to camera sites, navigating using a GPS and Avenza/Fulcrum maps (round 1 only)
• Servicing cameras, involving a battery and SD card swap (round 1 only)
• Processing and identifying species in camera trap images
• Data entry with apps such as Fulcrum
• Data management

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

• Good fitness – some sites are off-track through dense vegetation
• Manual license is helpful but not required
• At times you will be working independently to service cameras
• Ability to work in a remote area
• Commitment to at least one full round
• Previous experience with camera trap image species identification is helpful but not required

AWC Provides:

• Accommodation on site (private room, shared bathroom & kitchen)
• Laptop
• All necessary field training – e.g. use of GPS and radio, navigation etc. (round 1 only)
• Training on image processing and management
• Data entry and management experience
• Opportunity to explore the beauty of a remote, conservation-focused sanctuary!

Volunteers Provide:

• Bedding – pillow, sleeping bags, sheets
• Food
• Own transportation to sanctuary

Project Coordinator Contact:

Arnika Thorbjornsen – Field Ecologist

Arnika.thorbjornsen@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.

Please note- due to the high-level of interest we receive for our volunteer opportunities we regret we cannot respond individually to unsuccessful applicants. We thank each of you for your keen interest and ongoing support.