Subject: Adventurous Volunteers weekend
Dear potential Adventurous Volunteers,
Following on from last years event, we are planning a weekend of volunteer adventure paddling and weed control on the Lower Snowy River (Jacobs River Junction to Willis section) from Friday evening 21st through until Sunday afternoon 23rd March. These dates were chosen to coincide with a small water release from Jindabyne Dam to provide an appropriate river level to undertake this paddle through to do minor follow up weed control works and mapping. Participants can arrive Friday night or early Saturday morning, but all participants must attend the Saturday morning 8.30am Safety Briefing at the Pinch River Camping Area on the Barry Way (approx 60km South of Jindabyne).
Action Learning Initiative (ALI) in Jindabyne have indicated that their staff and resources are available to help run the weekend on those dates including providing professional River Guides/ Instructors, equipment including canoes, river sleds, PFD’s, helmets and other safety equipment etc, basic camping equipment (ie. tent & sleeping mats – you will need to supply your own sleeping bag), and that they can fully cater for participants for the weekend (Friday night dinner through until Sunday lunch inclusive) as well. NPWS will fund the weekend through its volunteer programs and provide coordination, supervision and logistical support along the river section for the weekend.
So essentially all you would need to do is turn up with an adventurous spirit and your own appropriate personal clothing and camping gear to undertake 2 days of low key paddling and weed work on the river. No cost to participants other than getting themselves to and from the Pinch River Camping Area
Participants need to be 18 yrs old unaccompanied, or 14 yrs and over with accompanying responsible adult. Whilst participants need to be reasonably fit and healthy, and confident swimmers, no previous experience is necessary. River Safety briefings, basic paddling instruction and supervision and weed control instruction will all be given to participants as part of the weekend. The weekend is meant to be a low key introduction to the ‘Willow Warriors’ and ‘Adventurous Volunteers’ concept with plenty of time to socialise, relax and experience the wonderful and unique surrounds of the Lower Snowy River area in the Kosciuszko National Park.
If you could disseminate this invite throughout your networks and to people who you think may be interested in participating that would be appreciated.
If you are available and keen to participate on that weekend, please respond with likely numbers to myself ASAP so I can continue logistical arrangements with ALI. If we do not get sufficient numbers we will postpone the introductory weekend to later in the year.
If you need further information or would like to discuss please don’t hesitate to send me an email or to give me a call on the numbers below.
Draft Itinerary for Weekend:
Friday 21/3/14
5.00pm – Participants arrive Pinch River Camping Area – Lower Snowy River.
Dinner and settle into camp
Saturday 22/3/14
7.30am – Breakfast
8.30am – Participant Safety Briefing and basic paddling instruction
10.30am – Supervised Groups allocated a section of River to paddle treating weeds and mapping (Lunch)
4.00pm – Return Camp
6.00pm – Dinner – Post dinner campfire and socialising
Sunday 23/3/14
7.30am – Breakfast
8.30am – Briefing and river section allocation. Supervised Groups allocated a section of River to paddle treating weeds and mapping (Lunch)
4.00pm – Pack up camp and travel home.
Participants should be self sufficient with transport to and from the Pinch River Camping Area, approx 60kms south of Jindabyne on the Barry Way.
I hope to hear from many of you soon!
Thanks,
Luke McLachlan
Ranger, Snowy River Area
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Office of Environment & Heritage
Department of Premier & Cabinet
PO Box 2228, Jindabyne NSW 2627
Ph: 02 6450 5559 Mob: 0409 078 548 Fax: 02 6456 2291
Check out this video on YouTube:
If your interested give Luke above a call or you can give me a PM for further info if you like.
Regards
RFG