Volunteering

Volunteering in a bushcare group is a rewarding way to make a difference to your local natural environment.  Meet like-minded people and learn new skills that can be applied in your own backyard.  Join in activities such as identifying and controlling weeds, identifying and encouraging native species, maintaining your site and planting local trees where required.

The Natural Areas Management Unit's (NAMU) restoration team currently performs restoration work in a variety of sites across the Gold Coast and manages approximately 13,000 hectares.  The restoration team provides learning opportunities for other sections of Council and the wider community in ecological restoration, provides information on restoration and weed control techniques and strengthens relationships in the community.

NAMU provides the wider community the opportunity to be involved in ecological restoration through the Beaches to Bushland Volunteer Restoration program, which includes Bushcare and Landcare groups participating in activities such as controlling environmental weeds and planting where required.

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed.  As our population and urban areas expand, the pressure on our natural areas grows, increasing the threat and effects of weed infestation.  Council is actively involved in the restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance of natural areas through:

• weed control
• natural regeneration of locally endemic plant species
• revegetation of severely impacted sites where natural regeneration is limited
• strategic maintenance programs
• education and voluntary programs

You can play your part of joining a Beaches to Bushland volunteer restoration community group.

Download the Beaches to Bushland Program 2013 (PDF 646KB)

Beaches to Bushland Locations

Austinville Landcare Group - click here to view more information 
Working bees on the last Sunday of the month
Dates: 28 April, 26 May, 30 June, 28 July, 25 August, 29 September, 27 October, 24 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: Austinville Community Park, Staghorn Drive

Boonooroo Park Bushcare Group - click here to view more information 
Working bees on third Saturday of the month
Dates: 20 April, 18 May, 15 June, 20 July, 17 August, 21 September, 19 October, 16 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: 3-17 Hickey Way, Boonooroo Park, Carrara, opposite the playground

Currumbin Creek Carers Group - click here to view more information 
Working bees on third Saturday of the month
Dates:  20 April, 18 May, 15 June, 20 July, 17 August, 21 September, 19 October, 16 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: Various sites between Nicholl’s Crossing and Robert Neumann Park, Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin

Elanora Wetlands Bushcare Group
Working bees on first Tuesday of the month
Dates: 2 April, 7 May, 5 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, 5 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: At entrance to Elanora Treatment Plant, Tallebudgera Drive, alongside Tallebudgera Creek

Hinterland Regional Park Bushcare Group - click here to view more information
Working bees on first Saturday of the month
Dates: 6 April, 4 May, 1 June, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 October, 2 November, 
Time: 7.45am for 8am start
Place: Hinterland Regional Park, Hardys Road, Mudgeeraba

Miami Bushcare Group
Working bees on the first Sunday of the month
Dates: 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 8 September, 6 October, 3 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: Lions Head Conservation Area, Corner of Petrel and Chairlift Avenues, Miami

Nerang Riverkeepers Group - click here to view more information
Working bees on the second Saturday of the month
Dates: 11 May, 8 June, 13 July, 10 August, 14 September, 12 October, 9 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: Swift Park, Centurion Crescent, Nerang

Tarrabora Reserve Bushcare Group - click here to view more information 
Working bees on the second Saturday of the month
Dates: 11 May, 8 June, 13 July, 10 August, 14 September, 12 October, 9 November
Time: 8am to 10am
Place: Tarrabora Reserve, Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

REMEMBER - Please wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants, sunburn cream, a hat and bring some water bring some water.  All details in this schedule are subject to change.

Groups working in partnership with Natural Areas Management Unit

South Stradbroke Island Landcare Group
Dates, time and place: Contact Natural Areas Management Unit on (07) 5581 1537

For further information, contact Natural Areas Management on 5581 1537 or email us by clicking here.  For further information on Natural Areas initiatives, follow the links below.