The Ecological Restoration Team
The Ecological Restoration Team manages and restores native vegetation along Merri Creek. Team members are native vegetation management practitioners who generally have qualifications in natural resource management or a related environmental field.
Key Tasks and the volunteering day
The focus of the teams' work is regeneration and restoration of indigenous vegetation, generally within public parklands. Works typically involve weed control (manual and chemical treatments) and planting (during autumn and winter), as well as other related activities such as litter removal, fencing, pruning and trail maintenance. On a day-to-day basis, the team usually works in groups of three to four staff, beginning the day at our works depot (2 Lee St Brunswick East). We start early and work all day in the field, usually quite strenuously.
The volunteer experience with the Ecological Restoration Team is most suited to students and graduates in a natural resource management related field. We also encourage those who would like to 'try out' their interest in this field of work, or those from other industries who would like to gain an insight into our work, or want to contribute to the Merri Creek's restoration. We try to be flexible to accommodate volunteers' needs; however flexibility and capacity to host volunteers may be limited at times because we have to meet our workplace commitments.
Below is an outline of the day-to-day operation of the team, what we provide and what volunteers need to bring along.
MCMC hours of work:
Our hours of work vary seasonally. We usually start work at 7 or 7.30am and finish at 3.30 or 4pm. Start and finish times may be earlier during hot summer months. Please confirm the start time.
Our team takes a morning tea break (15min) at 9:30 or 10am and lunch (45min) at 11:30 or 12pm. The sites you will be working at are generally not near shops or toilets. Please bring food for morning tea and lunch. We provide tea & coffee and drinking water.
MCMC provides:
- Transport to and from work sites
- Personal Protective Equipment including gloves, ear plugs and special protective eyewear (although you should bring your own sunglasses). - You need to provide your own steel capped boots and wet weather gear.
- Sunscreen
- Induction into the depot, facilities and procedures
- Any relevant training (on the job, on an as needs basis)
Please ensure you are wearing the following:
- Steel toe capped work boots
- Sturdy long pants
- Sturdy long-sleeved shirt
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Bring a jacket in case the weather is cold
- Bring wet weather gear (coat and pants) as the team generally continues to work in the rain
- Do not wear clothing or jewellery that may cause danger or reduce your working capacity.
If you want to volunteer with the Ecological Restoration Team:
Please contact us well in advance before you would like to start volunteering, to help us plan our works schedules.
Then email
- Your availability: - Do you want to volunteer for a single day only? - Would you like to volunteer one day a week? - Would you like to volunteer several days/week or full time, for a defined period?
- When you would like to start and complete your volunteering with MCMC.
- A sentence outlining your reasons for wanting to volunteer with us.
- Any questions you may have.
Please complete and
We understand that your availability may change from time to time and dates can be discussed and modified by agreement.
Want more information?
The Volunteer Position Description outlines the type of work and the MCMC context in more detail. Also see our Volunteer Policy.
Merri Creek Management Committee. 2 Lee St, East Brunswick, Victoria, Australia 3057