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TITLE SLIDEWITH SUBJECTINFORMATION

VOLUNTEER PARK GUIDES

Parks Victoria

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What is it?

• Pilot Volunteer Program

• 2 sites

• Interpretation and Education

• Sites of significance

• Delivered by volunteers

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Yarra Bend Park

Alpine National Park

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• Community perception

• Threatened species

• Important pollinator

• Close to city

• No current offer

• Site a good opportunity to get

people into nature

Yarra Bend Park

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• Rich history

• Many visitors but no interpretation

• Threat to Alpine Wetlands

• Varied understanding about

management practices

Alpine National Park

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How

• Start small – Pilot

• Staff buy in

• Effective promotion for

visitors and volunteers

• Targeted recruitment

• Roving vs Tours

• Induction/training

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Targeted recruitment

• Choosing the right volunteers

• Connection to site

• Could deliver in a personal

way

• Commitment

• Open to learning

• Ongoing relationship

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Roaving vs Tours

• Adapting to what will work

for the site

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Induction/Training

• Interpretation Training

• Local Content

• Subject matter experts

• Team building

• Site visit

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Results

• 5 volunteers recruited and trained

• 960 visitors engaged

“We had wonderful guides and we received very valuable

information.”

“Guides were knowledgeable and very passionate about the

environment and conserving the bio diversity of the Alpine region.

Very engaging"

• 12 volunteers recruited and trained

• 500 visitors taken on Tours

“Keep them running! It was fantastic”

“Tour was excellent”

“Really enjoyed it. No need to improve”

• Finalist Premier Sustainability Award

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Bats and volunteering

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Sky puppy education

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Inspirational moments

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Opportunities/soft release cages

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Next Steps

This summer

• Flying Fox Discovery Tours

• Alpine Discovery Days

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• Serendip Wildlife Tours