Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary

Scotia Weed Warriors 2026

Dates/Schedule

Dates open for 2026- preference to those who can stay up to 2 weeks at a time.

Project Description

The Operations team at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary is currently seeking volunteers to help with tackling invasive weeds.  

Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the New South Wales-South Australia border and is home to a vast and diverse conservation area. It is home to almost 65,000 hectares of vital habitat consisting of majestic old-growth mallee woodlands and stunning red sand dunes.  

Surveys have recorded 68 weed species on Scotia, which includes several species characterized as ‘transformer species’, i.e. a species that is capable of greatly modifying the habitat it invades, making it unsuitable for many other species that formerly occupied it. The presence of some of these weeds can be attributed to previous pastoral activities; however, some of these weeds are newer arrivals.   

Ten weed species were identified as priority weeds and individual management plans have been created accordingly. Ward's Weed (Carrichtera annua), Match-head (Psilocaulon granulicaule), Mediterranean turnip (Brassica tournefortii), Saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus), Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum), Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Smooth Mustard & London rocket (Sisymbrium erysimoides & Sisymbrium irio), Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum), Maltese Cockspur (Centaurea melitensis) and Wild sage (Salvia verbenaca) 

Volunteering at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary could be the perfect opportunity if you're passionate about conservation. Full working days under the direction of your team leader with sufficient breaks and days off.

Volunteer tasks

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

• Duties include treating specific management areas (SMAs) or select populations of weeds, recording data (e.g., area treated, method type, mapping, etc.), maintaining and caring for equipment to ensure its longevity and optimal performance, and utilizing tablets for navigation and data recording.  

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

• Experience required includes 4WD operation, ability to work in varying temperatures, physically demanding days (high-medium level of fitness required). 
• Weed management is affected by weather events. During poor conditions, duties may include fence patrols, repairing and maintaining infrastructure and equipment, controlling pests and weeds, cleaning up old fencing, checking camera traps, tools maintenance and general upkeep, cleaning up old fence materials and carting to wildlife water points.   

AWC Provides

Scotia’s facilities include accommodation with cooking and washing facilities, on-site vehicle access, bedding, PPE (overalls, masks, goggles, PVC gloves), communication and navigational tools, and Wi-Fi. We recommend bringing your own cotton overalls.

Volunteers Provide

Ensure appropriate clothing, food, water bottles, and torches are packed. Access to the site by 4WD vehicle. Contact project coordinator for further details.

Project Coordinator Contacts:

Scotia Sanctuary Manager:

E: Garth.Bowen@australianwildlife.org

Scotia Senior Land Management Officer:

E: Piers.Cresp@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.