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New South Wales Conservation project - A Week In The Wetlands
I started out with Conservation Volunteers Australia in Sydney, and I've been sent about 400 kilometres north, up to one of the Regional Offices at Port Macquarie. I've joined a team of Australian and international volunteers - some of them live in this area, some of them joined in Sydney (like me), and some of them are international backpackers who joined at Port Macquarie on their way up (or down!) the east coast.
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We've come together as a team of 8, with a Team Leader, Sally, and we're on our way to the Cattai Wetlands. It's one of Australia's most important wetlands, and the region hosts 14 threatened species, nine migratory species and nine listed marine species. Cattai is next to Crowdy Bay National Park, and it's likely that this area will attract increasing environmental interest in the future as an outstanding example of a regenerated wetland area. We travel in a vehicle to the Wetlands. It takes about 50 minutes from the volunteer house in Port Macquarie, and there's time to get to know the other volunteers and enjoy the scenery. |
This part of Australia is very popular with holiday makers as it has beautiful beaches and wonderful forests of tall trees. Everything seems very green and lush. We travel through areas of eucalypt forests along the main road, and frequently see cattle in fertile farms along small creeks.
When we arrive at the Wetlands, our Team Leader, Sally, introduces us to Brett - he is the Environment Officer for the Greater Taree City Council. Brett gives us a great introduction to the Wetlands, including the history and the reasons why the site is so environmentally important. Brett tells us about the wildlife that lives there, and we're excited to know that we will be able to be a part of the Cattai Wetlands story through our volunteer efforts. Sally gives us a full safety briefing, and explains exactly what activities we'll be doing during the week.
We start each day at about 8am, after a big breakfast - spending all day outdoors makes me very hungry! We stop morning and afternoon for a break, and lunchtimes are great - we have our sandwiches as part of a picnic, and it's the perfect setting with views of mountains to the west, and all the way to the coast, about 10km away, to the east.
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Sally trains us in the skills we need - very soon, we all understand how to work as a team, to put up a post and wire fence to protect sensitive areas of the wetlands from farm livestock, and how to plant trees.
These have been specially grown for the project from seed collected in the wetlands, including eucalyptus, paperbark and casuarinas. The trees will enhance the habitat of the native birds and animals of the wetlands. We also have a very important task - we need to remove invasive weeds from the remnant forest areas around the wetlands. |
Many of these weeds, like lantana, privet and camphor laurel have been brought to Australia as decorative garden plants and have 'escaped' into the bush where they smother the native species.
One day, we are lucky enough to see a rare and endangered migratory wetland bird, the jabiru, or black-necked stork. The wetlands are a haven for so many birds - small grebes and ducks right up to black swans, herons and egrets. Occasionally we see a white-breasted sea eagle hovering overhead, searching for fish in the wetlands or nearby creeks. We also see plenty of wallabies, particularly early in the mornings when we first get to the wetlands.
Our accommodation is at the Surf Club, right on the beach in the small village of Crowdy Bay. The views over the ocean are unforgettable, especially seeing the sunrise. The Surf Club is basic but comfortable, with a great kitchen for preparing and cooking meals, and a beautiful outdoor dining area on the verandah overlooking the beach. Downstairs there are showers and toilets. There is a TV, but mostly we spend time listening to music or talking around the table, just relaxing together.
Sally, our Team Leader, loves star gazing, and this is an excellent place to look, as we are far enough away from the city lights - I can see more stars than I ever thought possible in one sky. She also knows so many of the stories of the constellations - Orion and Taurus, and we see Mars and Venus, and of course the famous Southern Cross.
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We all enjoy long walks on the beach after dinner, listening to the waves rolling along a beach that seems to go on forever - it is over 20km long. We pick up so many unusual shells and small, smooth pebbles that our pockets bulge by the time we get back. We walk to the top of Crowdy Head, stand under the lighthouse and gaze out to sea, the lights of the fishing boats around the reefs showing where the good fishing spots are. From here we can see the glow of the city lights in the distance, and lights of the villages along the coast. There is always a lovely sea breeze on the top of the headland, the air cool and fresh. |
All good things come to an end, but it's been a fabulous week here in a place that not too many tourists would ever get to see. Sally hands out some really nice certificates, and Brett has even arranged a thank-you barbecue for our last lunch! Our efforts have really been appreciated and - most importantly - that we have made a big contribution to preserving this beautiful wetland area for the birds and animals that call it home.
Sally drives us back to Port Macquarie. We've got a free weekend there, before our next Conservation Volunteers Australia project. There's plenty to do in this beautiful coastal resort town, and I'm planning to explore the beaches, visit the Koala Hospital (a very special place where they care for sick and injured koalas), go on a dolphin watch river cruise and perhaps visit some of the markets and galleries with some of the other volunteers. Next week, we're off to plant trees along a river in the New England Tablelands - can't wait!
 Further information on the Conservation Volunteers Australia Project
Return to CVA Travel Stories
Return to Australasia Travel Stories
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