Yookamurra - 2026 Yookamurra Bilby Survey
2026 Yookmurra Bilby Survey
Project Title:
2026 Yookamurra Bilby Survey & Trapping
Dates + Schedule: 2nd March to 14th March 2026.
This survey consists of two parts. The first Part (8 nights) will be spotlighting. The second part (3 nights) will be Bilby Survey/trapping. Preference will be given to those who can stay the full survey. Shifts will run from 6pm-2am- please note times reflected in the sign-up schedule are for hours recording only.
Project description:
We will go out every night to spotlight for Bilbies. Any Bilbies spotted will be recorded to generate a population estimate. The survey will be conducted in two parts. The first part (eight nights) we will be spotlighting every night from sundown until about 2am. The second part (three nights) will be three nights of Bilby netting.
Yookamurra Sanctuary is home to some of the best stands of old growth Mallee still intact in south-eastern Australia, with trees dated over 600 years old. These majestic, venerable trees are a reminder of the age of the landscape and reveal what the bush was like before extensive habitat loss across southern Australia. There is also a large proportion of long unburnt habitat which is ideal for species such as the Malleefowl and Numbat.
Volunteer tasks:
Volunteers will work as a team lead by Project Coordinator and AWC Sanctuary staff to carry out tasks including.
- Spotlighting for bilbies
- Driving along transects (4wd manual)
- Setting up cage traps
- Checking cage traps for bilbies
- Processing bilbies
- Using a catch pole and net to trap bilbies
Things to be aware of when considering applying for this volunteer role/requirements:
- Please bring your own bedding and food with you
- Please let the co-ordinator know if you can/cannot drive a manual vehicle (this doesn’t automatically disclude you from the survey we just need to know)
- Peanut butter allergies. For other surveys, we regularly use universal bait (which consists of peanut butter) and this is often made up in the communal kitchen area so for this reason we cannot guarantee a nut-free environment and something which should be considered if you have allergies.
- Bring clothing for very cold nights but warm days
- Phone reception is limited but we have a landline you can use to make calls and wifi for wifi-calling
AWC Provides:
- Accommodation room and bathroom, kitchen, shared living area
- All necessary training
- All materials including cages
Volunteers Provide:
- Bedding for a single bed (eg. fitted sheet, sleeping bag, extra blanket or doona)
- Pillow
- 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 the village. Battery chargers (AAA/AA) are available to use but please label your batteries with your initials to avoid any mix-ups!
- 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)
- Backpack
- Sunglasses
- Food for duration of trip including plenty of snacks. Tea, coffee (instant and plunger), sugar, milo and a variety of condiments are provided in the kitchen.
Project Coordinator Contact: For further information, please contact Kahli.
Kahli Gifford
0468 925 754
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.
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 12 total shifts) for this activity are as follows
| Date | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 03, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday, March 04, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Thursday, March 05, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Friday, March 06, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 07, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 08, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Monday, March 09, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
