Volunteer
Volunteers undertake some of the most crucial work across our vibrant region.
Every year thousands of people, from primary school students to retirees, roll up their sleeves and get to work helping protect our wai, whenua and kararehe.
From cleaning out streams, replanting natives back into the environment to helping eradicate pest plants and animals – our volunteers get stuck in and help make our local environment thrive.
And while on the job our volunteers enjoy meeting new people, developing their skills and helping our region to thrive, it’s a two-way street.
Volunteers help Regional Council to extend work programmes, build community resilience and provide invaluable localised knowledge with their diverse skill-sets and experience.
What volunteers can do
Our volunteers help in three main areas: land and stream care groups, estuary care groups and coast care.
Throughout the winter months, Coast Care volunteers help regenerate the sand dunes down our beautiful coastline by replanting native sand dune plants in the front and middle dunes. Over the last 25 years over, 250 volunteers have planted over $1,500,000 native sand dune plants into to help stabilise and regenerate sand dunes.
Volunteering and Environmental Care Groups
Throughout our region, there are many groups of dedicated people working voluntarily for the protection or restoration of the environment in areas significant to them.
None of this work mentioned above would be possible without our volunteers and Bay of Plenty Regional Council helps provide the funding, technical advice and support to a number of these volunteers groups annually.
Other types of volunteering
We've also assisted Envirohub Bay of Plenty to establish a network of community environmental care groups around the region. See the Envirohub Network Directory to find a group near you.
It's all about working together to make a difference to our environment. If you'd like to get involved with what's on in the region – fill out the volunteer form below.
Check out our Care Group Handbook for useful hints and tips or contact a land management officer by calling 0800 884 880 for practical assistance and funding advice.
Getting support and resources for your Care Group
All around the Bay of Plenty there are many environmental projects led by locals - people who are planning and acting with inspirational vision and commitment for the future. We’re here to help Care Groups, whether they are just starting out or if they are well established.
The Helping Hand Guide introduces all the ways we may be able to help your Care Group and also shares experiences and tips from others.
Your Care Group's work could involve coastal dune restoration, wetland and estuary management, stream/lake margin management, catchment management, and/or control of pest plants and animals. Often one issue, such as mangroves in an estuary or acacia on the coast, focuses initial community attention on the health of the natural environment.
Your group's work could be on public or private land.
If your group has sound environmental objectives and commitment, we'll register it as a Care Group. This gives you access to our resources and support, which may include helping your group to get started, project planning and management, offering technical advice, providing materials, helping with fliers and communications, and lending equipment for your work.
In accepting support, your Care Group agrees to plan and complete the work. You need to be sure your community has a core group to see the project through.