Organisation

Office of Sustainability | Toitū te Taiao

Description

The Office of Sustainability | Toitū te Taiao works to connect student learning, operational practice and research for a more sustainable future. It aims to engage students and staff in creating positive change across the university and within the wider community.

As a Bioblitz volunteer, you’ll use the iNaturalist app to record as many species of animals, plants and fungi as possible across the campus.

Participants will It will be open to students, staff and the general public, and the recording of wildlife will be encouraged by activities such as nature ID walks, stream sampling and scavenger hunts. A central hub will be set up on Union Lawn to provide information, run some small activities / games and be a meeting point for nature walks etc.

A desk for identifying specimens with microscopes will be based inside the corridor leading to the Link. The aim is to engage people in the fantastic nature on campus and create a data set to help monitor its biodiversity. You may help guide nature walks, assist with stream sampling, run scavenger hunts, give directions to activities, support visitors at the Union Lawn hub, and show participants how to use the app. Volunteers also help with simple setup and pack‑down depending on their shift.

This is a fun, hands‑on event that connects people with the amazing nature on our campus and contributes to real biodiversity monitoring.

In this role you will:

• Assist with activities on the day such as nature walks around the campus, stream sampling and a scavenger hunt.

• Help provide directions to the activities

• Show people how to use the iNaturalist app, and

• Help with setting up and clearing away at the beginning / end of the day (depending on your shift).

You will be provided with the following training:

• There will be online iNaturalist workshops available in the weeks before the event, to learn how to use the app and there will be a session to go over what to expect from the day in the week before. Biscuits will also be available at the planning session :)

T-shirts for the event will be available for volunteers to borrow on the day.

Requirements

• Volunteers must be 18+

• Enthusiasm for nature and a willingness to share knowledge with others

• Friendly, confident communicating with the public

• Happy to support activities outdoors and indoors (e.g., ID station, nature walks)

Time commitment

Event Day is Friday 24 April

• Morning shift, afternoon shift, or full day

• Shifts are 4.5 hours, or a 9‑hour full‑day shift with a lunch break

Location

Otago University, Dunedin Campus

How to apply

Please fill out the google forms application: https://forms.gle/2fzmCmdtDBaor6Pd6
Any questions, please email Tabitha Heaton at heata884@student.otago.ac.nz.

Please copy (CC) volunteer@otago.ac.nz into your application email. Also, we have a great email template and helpful tips on making an effective application here: https://www.unicrewotago.org/aboutpriceless