Now that the Summer break is over and COVID -19 restrictions have thankfully eased the Environmental Volunteer training program is back in full swing. Keep an eye out for notifications from us regarding the below courses that will be rolling out in the coming months.

• Introduction to the Environmental Volunteer Program (EVP)
  Set up to give volunteers a broad overview of the EVP this course is the only mandatory training in the program for regular volunteer activities. In most cases this workshop is to be completed within the first 6 months of becoming an active volunteer although given the extraordinary year that was 2020 and delays to delivery as a result we are making our way through a backlog of volunteers who require this training. 
• Provide First Aid
  Volunteer safety is paramount within the program and its recognised that having designated First Aiders for groups provides this. Whilst it is not mandatory requirement to have a designated person the EVP will be facilitating several First Aid courses very shortly. If you or someone in your group would like to be a First Aider and either, have an expired qualification or no qualification, get in touch with your group’s officer or contact us through environmentalvolunteering@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au .
• Chemical Awareness
  The use of herbicide is entirely optional within the EVP although we however recognise that it is an important tool in the treatment of weeds for all of our groups regardless of whether your focus is on conservation or amenity. To use glyphosate on site as identified in the groups site strategy volunteers must complete ‘Chemical Awareness Training’ provided by one of our EVP Officers. This short course, usually done in the field or on your site, comprises of a short theoretical component covering WHS and safety when using herbicide but also a hands-on practical component. This is where officers will demonstrate appropriate herbicide application techniques and some important information to ensure the effective treatment of various weed species. If you would like to be able to use herbicide in accordance with your groups site strategy get in touch with your group’s officer or contact us through environmentalvolunteering@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.