Thanks to everyone who has joined us to assist with the line clearing and maintenance works over the past six months. During this time we have been able to host a general work day run from the shelter one Sunday a month. This has enabled the Operations team to get all the lines cleared in zones 1A, 2A and 3A. Also we identified where the windfalls are which will require the chainsaw contractors to clear before the toxin contractors with their big heavy packs move through the forest loading all the bait stations with the rat bait. That is a fantastic effort and equates to approximately 150 kilometres of track work. We have over 2000 bait stations 75 meters apart.

For the next two months, we have to change the way we do things. Last year we cut brand new lines in an area we call the expansion, which is at the northeastern end of our forest in a remote rough terrain. This area due to its newness desperately requires attention before we put the contractors into it. In order to undertake this work we have to set a base camp up in the bush about 30 minutes’ walk in before we even start the clearing. Then in teams of 3, these extremely steep lines will be cleared. This will require proven fit volunteers who have evidenced their fitness and capabilities to the work-day organisers over the past six months and when we cut these lines last year. These people will be contacted by email directly from the Operations team and will be required to RSVP a week prior to each scheduled workday so we can structure the teams before to heading into the bush. There will be no BBQ provided and everyone will need to carry their own water and snacks.

During the next few months, there will be other opportunities for our regular volunteers to assist in other ways like trap building, and stringing baits on wires to load into the stations. These will be advertised in the usual manner once the work is ready to be go.

Thanks to all the hours and hardwork completed to date.