Friends of Mt Field

"I’d have to say, spending time with the wonderful group of volunteers from Friends of Mount Field has certainly given me a whole new appreciation of our tracks. Seeing just how dedicated the whole team were only made me strive to do more!!! One thing, however, that I have often noticed with volunteer groups in general, is how they often lack younger volunteers and are made up of the older generations. These amazing people have been committed for years upon years and it baffles me that the younger generation just haven’t gotten involved? So with all this, I am glad to say that I’ve booked in for more this new year with the team at Mount Field and I’m so keen to get involved! I urge you, if you’ve ever considered helping out but didn’t know how to get started then this is one great way for you to do your bit in our world…" Phoebe Roberts, Wildcare Volunteer.

Trevor and Greg installing a marker pole - Photo by Peter Franklin Did you know that in 1916, Mount Field (along with Freycinet Peninsula) became the first national Park in Tasmania? This came about as a result of the efforts of a devoted band of admirers who sought to protect this special place. The natural values of the Mount Field area have touched people from the very earliest times and continue to do so today, giving the park quite an interesting history. Winter sports became very popular from the 1920s and are one of the reasons for the many huts in the alpine zone. The mountains, sparkling tarns and lakes, flora and network of tracks makes Mount Field a popular walking destination throughout the year and never more so than when the spectacular colours of the deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii) are on display in the Autumn. Fast forward 87 years and a new generation of admirers known as the 'Friends of Mt Field' formed to put their love of the park into action by working alongside the Parks & Wildlife Service on a wide range of management activities including maintenance of walking tracks and huts. The group, (which has been running continuously for 20 years) is now seeking an injection of new Mt Field lovers to help with a number of tasks including: ?liaising with other organisations the Friends work with (e.g. the Parks and Wildlife Service, the Wildcare Tasmania office and Landcare Tasmania) ?looking after the Friends' equipment ?recording Friends' activities and, ?planning future work If this is something that appeals to you, you are invited to meet the Friends at their working bee on 18 February (details here) and if you are unable to join them at that time, but are willing to help, please express your interest using the form on this page. Read the full story of Wildcare Volunteer Phoebe Robert's first working bee with the group here.