How to volunteer in nature on Kangaroo Island

These groups are part of the 150+ volunteering groups that make up Friends of Park and Nature inc. across South Australia - and they’re the perfect place to start if you want to try volunteering in conservation.

Read on to learn a little bit more about what each group gets up to, where they’re based, and their latest projects on the Island.

Friends of Parks, Kangaroo Island Western Districts

Location:  Their work spans across the western side of Kangaroo Island, including the iconic Flinders Chase National Park, as well as seven other wilderness protection areas and conservation parks (all up around 90,000 hectares!).

Friends of Parks, Kangaroo Island Western Districts was formed in 1986, dedicated to making a positive impact in the parks and reserves on the wild western side of Kangaroo Island.

The group works with local organisations, communities and schools to maximise their output, with activities such as seed collection, growing and planting, revegetation projects, weed removal, monitoring of threatened species, track maintenance, beach clean-ups and much more! 

Some notable achievements include the restoration of the old walking track at Remarkable Rocks after the 2020 bushfires, assisting with the eradication of feral goats from the island and the rediscovery of the Eastern Large Bronze Azure butterfly after being thought extinct for 80 years (All in a days work!).

You can get in touch with the group here: fopkiwd@gmail.com

SA Speleological Council (The SASC)

Location: The group work on caves and karst across the entirety of Kangaroo Island. While much of this work has focused on the well know Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park, other areas of the island are also included in this work. The SASC also work in other parts of South Australia.

Amongst the devastation and destruction of the 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires, the group were able to discover an opportunity. A series of unknown and unexplored ancient caves became visible across the island.

“We discovered that there was an opportunity … to find these beautiful spaces that probably would have gone unnoticed to humanity.” Said Andrew Stempel, president of the Australian Speleological Federation who is involved with the exploration. Quote taken from ABC’s fascinating article featuring the SA Speleological Council, From devastation to wonder as Kangaroo Island bushfires lead to cave discoveries, which you can read here.

You can get in touch with the group here: admin@sasc.info

Friends of Dudley Peninsula Parks

The group’s work is concentrated around Dudley Peninsula, which is on the eastern side of the island. The peninsula is home to seven conservation parks covering more than 5000 hectares.

The group formed in 2002, when Baudin Conservation Park was dedicated to protect and expand the area of Allocasuarina verticillata, Drooping Sheoak, whose seeds are the sole food of the endangered Glossy Black-cockatoo. In the early years Baudin Conservation Park was the focus of the group's efforts and now about 60% of the park is revegetated.

The group now also works in Pelican Lagoon CP revegetating Pig Islet, Lashmar CP eliminating Arum Lily, and is setting up a plant germination greenhouse and program at the local Penneshaw school.

The group is small, with an average working bee attendance of six people, so they focus on manageable projects that protect biodiversity and plant communities.

You can get in touch with the group here:  friendsofdudleypeninsulaparks@gmail.com

Friends of Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park

Location: The group works in and around Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area, which sits on the south coast of the island. 

This large area of pristine coastal environment is important for biodiversity and provides a continuous block of vegetation adjoining Seal Bay Conservation Park, a critical corridor and habitat for a range of rare and threatened species.

Friends of Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park was formed in 1997, and works closely with Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, the Department for Environment and Water and other Friends of Parks and Nature inc. groups. This partnership and commitment has seen the group work well with the organisation to deliver positive outcomes for the environment. 

Notable achievements of the group include developing a self-guided drive the D’Estrees Bay Road, construction of the Bald Hill Lookout at Murray Lagoon as well as general site maintenance, revegetation and weed control in these area. 

You can get in touch with the group here:  friendsofcapegantheaume@gmail.com

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network

Location: Kangaroo Wildlife Network’s headquarters is located in Nepean Bay but their volunteers are spread across the whole of Kangaroo Island to help service wildlife in need.

The Network is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who rescue and rehabilitate injured, sick, displaced and orphaned wildlife on Kangaroo Island for release back into the wild. They also deliver ongoing wildlife conservation programs for all species of wildlife through environmental protection and restoration to help keep wildlife in the wild.

 Through education, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network aims to help minimise wildlife trauma and provide the necessary skills and mentoring to the carers dedicated to raising and rehabilitating the injured, sick, displaced and orphaned wildlife that comes into their care.

You can get in touch with the group here: kiwildlifenetwork@gmail.com

Learn more about volunteering in nature in South Australia

If you’re interested in volunteering in nature and conservation beyond Kangaroo Island, why not check out our blog 4 ways to volunteer in nature: South Australia.

Main image by Friends of Parks Kangaroo Island Western Districts.

Park of the Month:

Throughout February, Parks of Kangaroo Island are being celebrated as part of Park of the Month.

Explore Admirals Arch with a free roaming guide, available to answer all your burning questions. Or why not join a free beginners nature photography workshop to learn the basics of capturing our natural environment. See all the activities happening for Park of the Month here.