Green Reserve is an initiative of the Australian Government under Work for the Dole program and it involves volunteering two days a week on local conservation projects!

Types of projects include:

· Surveying walking tracks through local parks and reserves

· Restoring heritage buildings

· Assisting with community gardens

· Data collection and entry

Benefits for Green Reserve volunteers include:

· Greatly enhanced work prospects

· Meeting new people and being part of a team

· Achieving significant outcomes

· First Aid, Occupational Health and Safety and on the job training

· Sense of satisfaction and reward

· Acknowledgement by the community

· $20.80 per fortnight additional allowance to cover out of pocket expenses

· Opportunity to gain up to $800 in Training Credits

On the 29th July 2004, Tanya a Community Involvement Officer from Conservation Volunteers Australia inducted me into the Green Reserve program. I was located at the Baulkham Hill Council Bidjiwong Community Nursery in Ted Horwood Reserve. The nursery is run by Baulkham Hills Shire Council in conjunction with the Bushland Conservation Committee. The nursery provides plants for Council and community revegetation projects as well as being a focal point for the involvement of the local community in bushland conservation issues. Local residents can use the facilities at the nursery to propagate plants for their own use. Council staff and volunteers can provide assistance and advice.

I started working in the nursery with three other volunteers helping with seed propagation, potting of young seedlings and general maintenance of the seedlings at various stages of their growth. It was interesting work because it allowed me to learn about propagation techniques and different native flora. After a couple of weeks, as I was showing a lot of interest, dedication and enthusiasm in my work the nursery manager asked me to work with the Council Bush Conservation Team. The team consisted of 4 permanent team members and me as a volunteer.

The major responsibilities of the team are:

· Bush track and reserve maintenance

· Bush regeneration

· Native seeds collection and propagation

· Bushland promotion

I completed my Green Reserve volunteer work on the 3rd February 2005. It was an extremely valuable experience and it opened up many employment and networking opportunities for me.

The Council Bush Conservation Team and Green Reserve Volunteers

Soon Lee, Brian, Robert, Troy, Patrik, Lisa & Eva

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