These are the stories from people near and far who have recently joined Wildcare and participated in a 'Welcome to Wildcare' Zoom session. The 30minute sessions outline who we are and introduce people to the range of opportunities to get involved. There is even time for a chat! We have valued the presence of branch leaders who can share their experience of Wildcare and what they love about what they do. We all come away inspired. The next call is on Thursday 20th August at 5:30pm and you can register here. Sessions are held monthly (on the third Thursday at the alternate times of 12noon one month, and 5:30pm the next).

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"I learned that I have to join a branch to get involved, and also an old friend of mine was in the meeting by coincidence which was awesome! I have joined Friends of Freycinet, and been in touch with Fiona Everts on volunteering this summer. I am happy to feel a part of the community and really looking forward to getting involved and meeting in person this summer – fingers crossed!" Laura

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"The best part of the call was getting an overall feel for the program and ‘meeting’ participants. Downside: I am stuck in QLD It would be nice to get physically involved but that will have to wait." Ian

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Thank you to those who have shared their story below.

"My husband and I joined Wildcare Tasmania after spending a week on King Island, five days on Three Hummock Island and a few days in the north west.

We love remote places and have been volunteer caretakers at the Double Island Point lighthouse north of Noosa for a couple of weeks each year for the past 18 years.  We are very experienced in revegetation work and in running the visitor information centre at the lighthouse.  I served on the management committee of Noosa Landcare for many years as well as working in their native nursery.  Paul served as Secretary and Chair of the Board of the Environmental Defenders Office Qld.  He is also a member of Birdlife Australia, the ACF, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation and the Queensland Conservation Council.

I am a landscape painter and I give my work to the Environmental Defenders Office to raise much-needed funds.  Last year I completed a series of 72 postcard sized paintings of the Brisbane River from the source to the sea and the EDO is in the process of selling the work which has been framed as one piece.  Prior to that, I completed 26 larger paintings of the Pumicestone passage which the EDO sold at auction.  The EDO made boxed sets of cards from these paintings as an extra fundraiser.

I am currently working on a series of 24 x 36 inch oil paintings titled Disappearing Skylines which focuses on over-development, changes wrought by global warming and loss of habitat.  They are all landscape paintings with subjects ranging from the rusting corrugated iron roofs in inner city Brisbane, the dunes in the Simpson Desert, Fraser Island, eroding coastal dunes and the light on the ocean.

Here is a photo from this series of an almost finished painting of the Arthur River and Tarkine which I began when I was in Tasmania last year.

We live in Brisbane and would like to explore opportunities to contribute to the work of Wildcare Tasmania when we are able to visit Tasmania.  I would be more than happy to donate paintings to raise funds."

Lyn

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"Very interested in becoming involved in some volunteer groups with my son who is home educated. We own and operate a nursery in northern Tasmania." Poppy

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"I'm hoping to donate some time in exchange for getting out and about." Chris

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"I am a born and bred Tasmanian and have over the years done many walks into our wild areas and camping on our beaches.  I am a strong supporter of our parks and wilderness and efforts to secure and maintain them as well as just helping to look after our state for the future.

I have worked in technical and management positions in textile, government business support and aquaculture feed. I recently returned from a few years working in Norway and have now decided to retire from full time work. So I now have time and energy to devote to my other interests.

I stumbled upon Wildcare whilst looking for volunteering support for our national parks."

James

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"I am really looking forward to joining the call tomorrow! I can’t wait to learn more about Wildcare and how to get involved.

I walked the Overland in 2017 and absolutely fell in love with Tassie. I would love to spend a longer time visiting and giving back to the wilderness. I was hoping to volunteer for a few weeks in the summer season – perhaps as a hut warden or another project.

Thanks for reaching out and for all the work you do!"

Laura

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"It's great to know there are people like you are out there giving yourselves for a big cause such as preserving this wonderful planet, our home.

I came to Australia in 2015, and spent the first three year in Perth WA. I came to Tasmania without an idea of what it was like. From the plane I stared through the window and only was able to see a long flat sheet of clouds extending all over, then after the plane descended enough a whole landscape so wild and beautiful opened in front of my eyes, and I was amazed that such a big surprise was hidden underneath the clouds.

During my stay of nearly 2 years in Tasmania I was lucky to work in the Tasman Peninsula in an oyster farm, and also in Freycinet in a vineyard, and in potato farms in Burnie. I have seen landscapes and moments in nature I haven't experienced before in my life, so I am grateful to this land for such much and I'd be honoured to be able to contribute even if it's just a bit in its conservation - that's why I joined Wildcare Tasmania."

Carlos

"I live within walking distance to the Penguin Cradle Trail that heads up to Black Bluff.  Since moving here I've been gaining lots of knowledge about the local environment here. I'm on iNaturalist and have been uploading lots of observations from the surrounding forests right up to Paddys Lake.

Joining in on track work will be a great way to give back and also share time with others who also enjoy the track."

Brenda

Katharine

Jacqueline and Zelko

I recently moved to Tasmania (2 months) from NZ, but am from mainland Aus originally. While looking for work, I think it would be grand to get to know a little about the Tassie environment/wildlife/plants etc.