Locals: Get Involved!
Welcome Kiwis!
We are always seeking to build better links with our local community. Our 2005 community survey told us that there is a strong level of support for the Sanctuary project and our goals.
As well as our year-round team of international volunteers, Tararu Valley Sanctuary also encourages locals to get involved in every level of the operation, from our board of trustees, through leading and coordinating projects, to just joining on a casual basis.
You might live within easy travelling distance of Thames and wish to join projects during the day, or perhaps you wish to come and stay on weekends or for longer periods. The Sanctuary is especially seeking people willing to help coordinate other people and hopefully have strong existing skills in carpentry, forest work (trail maintenance, pest trapping), permaculture, publicity, and more.
How can I help as a volunteer?
While we do not currently have any big local volunteer projects on the go, we are always looking for people willing to help out with our day to day tasks, like the following:
- vehicle and tool maintenance
- garden & orchard projects
- planting trees onto 100 acres of degraded farmland to restore native forest
- maintaining forest trails
- building a public walkway to the summit of Mt Tararu
- help reduce wild pigs and goats in the Valley by hunting
- help maintain our native tree nursery
If you would like to be involved, or think you can help us in a particular way, feel free to get in contact and tell us something about yourself (your skills and your interests) and how you would like to be involved.
Things you should know about volunteering in the Valley:
- Our schedule is very flexible and changes a lot to suit the weather and away trips - check first if you'd like to come up.
- Check that the project you want to work on is happening, we DO have free days!
- All food is vegetarian and occasionally fish - please don't cook meat in our kitchen.
- Residential volunteers cook and eat as a group, if you're coming up for the day then feel free to bring sandwiches etc. or join us for a communal meal - it helps if we know you are coming so we can include you in the planning.
If you're wanting to stay overnight...
- Make sure you check in advance to ensure there's a bed available for you (you're welcome to tent of course!) and give us a chance to make up a bed.
- We appreciate a Koha (donation) towards the Sanctuary's food & running costs and recommend $25 per night, $125 per 7 day week if you can.
- Bring a sleeping bag, torch, set of rough work clothes and some comfy indoor gear, waterbottle, a good book or board games to share.
