Welcome to our AWC Volunteer Community

Project Title and AWC Sanctuary

Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary:

Track Clearing 2026

Project Description and Dates

Must be physically fit.

A chainsaw ticket and first aid training is essential with compliance and certificates supplied

For safety reasons, this project requires a minimum of two volunteers.

Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary is located on 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. Of that, roughly 8,000 hectares is protected within the safety of our predator and feral proof fence. That leaves about 57,000 hectares in which we implement land management practices such as pest management, fire management, weed management and where our ecologists conduct native flora and fauna surveys. As we strive to enable the successful return of locally-extinct species to far western New South Wales into the future, it is vital for us to move through our landscape as easily and efficiently as possible.

Objectives:

Help Scotia staff complete land management practices by clearing roads.

 Opportunities for this position will run from 01/03/26 - 30/11/26 availability for two weeks or more is highly favourable.

Volunteer tasks

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

• Removal of fallen trees off of roads
• Driving dirt roads, potentially with a trailer
• Lifting and carrying branches and logs
• In the field servicing of chainsaws and pole saws
• Trimming/pruning bushes and small trees
• On the ground problem solving
• Collect decent firewood to bring back to the House Paddock for winter

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

• REMOTE WORK: We are a team of four. Our sanctuary is just under 65,000ha, and is 2.25hrs/180km from Mildura (nearest town). If this is in any way a cause for concern for you, please consider carefully before accepting this role.
• Manual Labour: tasks will require physical work including lifting and carrying objects, use of a wide range of tools (including chainsaws, pole saws and hedge shearers and loppers), off-road driving; potentially with trailers.
• All volunteers must read and abide by the AWC Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement before engaging in volunteer activities.
• Check the weather! Please be aware of the seasonal differences and pack accordingly. Our winter night temperatures go into the negatives, and while the sanctuary is closed to the public over the summer months, Autumn and Spring could still present days of 30 degrees Celsius and higher.
• Volunteers are not permitted to fell trees unless they possess the required training and certification, and sanctuary staff have been informed of and approved their plans in advance

AWC Provides

• Accommodation facilities
• Cooking and washing Facilities
• Communication and navigational tools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site vehicle access
• First Aid Equipment
• Safety Equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses/goggles, dust masks, hearing protection, gloves, Spot Tracker, satellite phone
• Tools including chainsaw, pole saw, pruning tools, loppers, saws
• Chainsaw Specific PPE such as chaps, helmet, with face shield, hearing protection, gloves etc.

A small stipend allowance to assist with meals/fuel costs will be offered to volunteers who stay past 2 weeks- please discuss this allowance with the Project Coordinator. 

Volunteers Provide

• Appropriate clothing (including sun protection gear (broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sunscreen, etc.),
• Food supplies
• Water bottles
• Optional: torch for spotlighting, binoculars, camera, etc.

Project Coordinator Contact:

Emily Youngberry: Emily.youngberry@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.