The Wingecarribee Shire is fortunate to have a diverse number of ecological communities and is considered a biodiversity hot-spot with many iconic species including Koalas, Platypus, Glossy-black Cockatoos and Mittagong Geebung.
Council has the care and control of more than 30 remnant bush land reserves in excess of 3000 hectares, as well as caring for a number of significant watercourses and wetlands. To help manage these areas and to monitor changes and key threatening processes, Council has an active Bushcare and Citizen Science Program.
Bushcare and Rivercare volunteers play an important role in Council’s management of bushland and waterways, which complements the work of the professional Bushcare Team.
Bushcare and Rivercare working bees occur on a fortnightly or monthly basis and you must be registered as a volunteer with Council if you would like to participate. If you are interested in volunteering please complete the online application form and Council will be in touch with you. For more information contact the Environment Officer – Bushcare and Citizen Science on 02 4868 0888.
- Approx 3700 Volunteer hours worked annually
- Value of volunteer contribution $100 000 to $140 000
- 2000-5000 native plants propagated and planted annually.
The Bushcare Program complements private land conservation, which together contributes to biodiversity outcomes for the shire.
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Rotary Park Bushcare Group
Aims: To turn a linear bushland reserve into a wildlife refuge/stepping stone. This has many edge effects and impacts from urbanisation but has good remnant Eucalyptus and native shrubs and grasses returning.
Location: Car park, Rotary Park, Old Bowral Road, Mittagong.
Meeting frequency: On an as needs basis. Contact Council’s Bushcare Team if you are interested in working here.
Penrose Swamp Landcare Group (Forestry Corporation) - Fourth Thursday of every month 8.30am
Robertson Environment Protection Society (REPS) - Robertson Nature Reserve (NPWS) - First Wednesday of every month 9.30am
If there is a locality or reserve you would like to see rehabilitated or restored, and there is no existing group, get in touch and we will see if a new group is feasible for that site. Complete the Request to Establish a Bushcare Group form below.
There are many benefits in becoming a Bushcare or Rivercare volunteer, including access to a social network, fresh air and exercise!
Council's Bushcare Program is designed to integrate the community with the management of bush land and our waterways.
All new volunteers need to be registered and given an induction before commencing any work on site. The safety of our volunteers and staff is very important to Council, so please speak up and bring any hazards to the attention of the Bushcare staff and/or Group Convenor if you are concerned about anything at all.
This section includes both Council and external resources for all Bushcare and Rivercare volunteers including convenors of groups.
The Bushcare Volunteer Management Manual is your reference document.