Wanted: Holiday-makers to save wildlife in Grampians
Conservation Volunteers and Parks Victoria have joined forces to offer an opportunity for tourists to experience the spectacular mountain ranges and scenery in the Grampians National Park, while also undertaking valuable research work monitoring vulnerable and endangered wildlife in the area.
The Naturewise Wildlife Monitoring Ecotour supports conservation and scientific research in the Grampians National Park, and has been awarded advanced eco certification.
These small hands-on tours (maximum eight people) take participants off the beaten track, deep into the wilderness, where they work directly with park rangers to monitor the area's small mammals such as the Long Nosed Potoroo, the vulnerable Heath Mouse and the Southern Brown Bandicoot, whose populations are all under threat from feral predators such as red fox (an introduced species).
No prior experience is required to join the tour.
In addition to the monitoring duties, visitors have a chance to explore the remote areas of the National park including areas that are normally in accessible to tourist.
The four and seven day tours depart from Melbourne at regular intervals during October and November, and include meals, transfers from Melbourne or Ballarat, transport within the national park, additional sightseeing including bushwalks, and accommodation at the YHA Eco Hostel in Halls Gap.
The Grampians YHA Eco Hostel is recognised as a leader in environmentally friendly accommodation, with many features designed to protect and compliment the natural environment, including solar hot water and electricity, rainwater tanks and grey recycling. Guests can also pick fresh herbs from the hostel garden or enjoy fresh eggs from free-roaming chickens.
For more information: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/volunteer/grampians.htm
Media contact: Jo Davies, Conservation Volunteers Ph: 0404 840 209 or email jdavies@conservationvolunteers.com.au