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Volunteering on this project, you will contribute to the long-term objective of returning Brampton Island National Park to its natural state.

Volunteering on The Great Barrier Reef

The conservation work performed by volunteers has a direct and lasting impact on the island’s plants and animals. Volunteers clean up marine debris which prevents many sea mammals (particularly turtles) from either swallowing, ingesting or entangling themselves in the rubbish. You'll also assist with the removal of invasive weeds which helps regenerate the island back to its natural state by allowing native flora to grow. Data collection of coral, seagrass and marine life provides ongoing information to the Natural Resource Managers helping them to gauge the impact of pollution prevention strategies on the marine ecosystems of the island. Similarly turtle, dolphin and birds of prey data collection helps researchers with species, population and distribution patterns.

Brampton Island boasts an extensive range of native Australian fauna and flora including koalas, grey kangaroos, flying foxes and sand goannas. The marine park waters surrounding the island are turtle feeding areas and provide important turtle rookeries.

Our partners on the ground recognise that there are many issues affecting the islands and that the resources are not available to concentrate on all of them. Brampton Island was considered the most critical and there are three major issues that threaten both the island and its native inhabitants’ long-term outlook.

1. Invasive Species

The large influx of tourists to the Great Barrier Reef has resulted in introduced species of plants and animals that have unbalanced the natural habitats on the island and threatened native species.

We want to avoid using dangerous pesticides on the island so our volunteers help us with a very manual process of eradicating these weeds on the island foreshores. The weeds collected are placed in bags and put in the sun so the seeds die and are unable to repopulate. National Parks collects these bags and disposes of them.

2. Marine Debris

There are a number of secluded beaches on Brampton Island that are not accessible by the general public. As a result, a lot of rubbish and waste has washed up from the ocean and litters the sandy beaches. This marine debris is very dangerous to marine animals, such as turtles who frequent these beaches to lay eggs. These animals get easily tangled in the rubbish or mistake it for food and eat it.

Our volunteers help to collect the waste on these beaches, we then classify it into different groups and record this information. This data is sent to Dr Kathy Townsend, a scientific researcher from the University of Queensland’s Moreton Bay Research Station. Dr Townsend investigates the effects of plastic and other rubbish on sea turtles and has found that over 35% of stranded turtles die as a result of eating marine debris.

3. Run Off

Land based pollution finds its way to the reef through run-off, negatively affecting the Great Barrier Reef’s water quality. This poses a significant threat to the coral reef.

Reef Catchments are working closely with both the government and with farmers to implement pollution prevention strategies to reduce run-off finding its way to the Great Barrier Reef. In order to convince the government that this money is well spent and their efforts are effective, they need long-term evidence of water and coral quality in the areas most affected. The data collected by our volunteers from the reef surveys provides an ongoing source of information to gauge the impact their strategies are having on the coral reef.

The Brampton Island Conservation Project is continually evolving and may include both work on neighbouring islands and data collection for other research projects, so volunteers can expect a variety of work.

Program Highlights

* Sail to and from a secluded tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef on a catamaran
* Camp on the beach right by the water
* See the direct result of your conservation efforts
* Learn about native wildlife such as turtles, kangaroos, possums, manta rays and birds of prey
* Enjoy a sunset hike to Point Lookout where you may spot kangaroos and koalas
* Snorkel the reef at high tide
* Witness the wonderful corals and stunning marine life found on the island’s reef, and explore the white sandy beaches, forest plants and rocky headlands
* Learn about marine environments from our experienced staff.

Start Dates

Various start dates throughout the year. See the website for full

Costs / Benefits

The program costs £995 and this includes:

*All meals and accommodation
*24 hour emergency phone line
*Pre-departure support
*Transfer to and from the island by catamaran
*A sunset Walk to ‘Point Lookout’
*A lecture on Marine Environments during a guided tour of the coral reef at low tide
*All equipment required for the work
*An introduction to a practical environmental and conservation education.

Requirements

Staff in the field will provide training on the skills required, but you may benefit from learning more about local history, culture and customs before you travel. You must be at least 18 years old at time of departure.