A Volunteer’s First Taste of Field Ecology at Banyula
Volunteering at Banyula offers more than just a helping hand—it’s a chance to get your boots dirty, learn from experienced ecologists, and connect deeply with Country. Zane joined us in late June with no prior ecology experience and left with new skills, friendships, and a whole new appreciation for the land. Here's his story in his own words:
“I visited Banyula in late June after coming across a post on the NRM jobs site. I chatted with Tony via Zoom who told me that there was going to be a baseline survey conducted on the property - I’d never really done much ecology work so I was really unsure what to expect.
On arrival I took a few days to settle in on the property, was shown around by Tony and Adrian and joined the weeding crew to clear mostly lantana but also ragweed and fireweed - pulling out these huge sprawling lantanas was an intense but very satisfying workout.
With the baseline survey crew’s arrival I was immediately immersed in the world of small mammals of the local area and learnt the various names and general look of marsupials such as the Yellow Footed Antechinus and Dunnart, and native rodents such as Bush Rats, Swamp Rats, and the elusive Eastern Chestnut Mouse - which the team hoped to find on the property for the second time. I helped the crew set-up and lay the small mammal traps and check and identify the small marsupials that we found.
I quickly fell in love with the cute, feisty and sometimes very bitey Antechinus and the lithe big eared Dunnart. In the evenings we shared dinner and laughs with the crew, spotlighted for large owls and sugar gliders and I learnt more about ecology and the complexity and fragility of our native ecosystems.
Sadly the 2025 baseline survey didn’t end up finding a chestnut mouse but I found myself making some new friends and a deep and new appreciation for our native landscape - until next year!”
Thanks, Zane! We love seeing new faces light up with wonder. If you’re keen to volunteer, learn, and get amongst it at Banyula Conservation Reserve, get in touch—we’d love to hear from you!
First-time fieldwork and already hands-on with the locals—Zane and a Dunnart share a moment.
Hank Bower with a Fawn Footed Melomys
