WILDCARE Cradle Mountain Volunteers

Described as a year like no other, here's 2020 as it turned out for Wildcare Cradle Mountain Volunteers. Due to the  March arrival of COVID-19 in Tasmania, Branch activities came to a sudden halt just as volunteer teams were scheduled to conduct wombat monitoring and assist with the mass plant-out around the new Visitor Centre site. Thanks to the dedicated Branch members, the support from PWS Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jenna Huisman, the Wildcare Office, and the committed partnership with PWS Cradle Mountain, Wildcare Cradle Mountain were able to return to volunteering in October and conduct a very successful 3 week long Spring-Bee in November. JANUARY-Visitor Centre "Meet and Greet" Program FEBRUARY- Lake St Clair trackworker working bee         MARCH-Clean-up Australia Day combined event with Discovery Parks        APRIL, MAY-  Members hung up their uniforms and kept COVID-safe and busy with their own home-bee. JUNE-  Zooming became the new norm for Wildcare meetings JULY, AUGUST- Volunteer COVID Induction and DPIPWE Volunteer Registration forms were completed by members in preparation for a return to volunteering.                   SEPTEMBER- WCMV Executive members met with Volunteer Co-ordinator Jenna and Cradle PWS staff to re-negotiate the Volunteer Program Plan.   OCTOBER- Returned to Cradle! A warm return was received from PWS staff for the AGM and working bee. Wombat monitoring recommenced.        NOVEMBER- The "Spring Bee"which was held over a period of 3 weeks, saw 22 volunteers spring into action and complete an incredible list of jobs and contribute 636 volunteer hours.                                                 DECEMBER-  Visitor Centre Volunteer Program cancelled for this summer season due to COVID social-distancing requirements.   That's the end for now but WCMV will be back in 2021 . Wombat joey. Photo: James Stone Photos from WCMV Photo collection supplied by volunteers.