Volunteer Policy

Parks Conservation and Lands (PCL) is a branch within the Land Management and Planning Division of the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services. PCL manages the majority of parks, reserves, forestry plantations and open space in the ACT.

Community involvement in land and natural resource management is an integral part of managing our environment and is supported by the ACT Government. The participation of volunteers allows the community to become involved in initiating, enhancing and extending agency services.

PCL works in partnership with the community of Canberra to provide opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to become involved in conserving and improving their local or regional area. Through its Parkcare and Urban Landcare programs, PCL actively supports conservation work undertaken by volunteers in Canberra's nature reserves and parks.

PCL also works in partnership with the community through its Community Art Program. Volunteers are involved in changing the face of Canberra's urban space through the removal of graffiti, and the painting of colourful and inspiring murals in Canberra's bus interchanges, shopping centres, dressing sheds and underpasses. Finally, volunteers assist PCL through third party volunteer organisations such as Greening Australia and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Volunteers are defined as people who undertake activities of benefit to the environment and the community; of their own free will; without monetary reward (reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses is not regarded as payment); and under the auspices of an ACT Government agency - this could be part of a formal volunteer program or an ad-hoc arrangement. Conservation Volunteers Australia, though receiving some remuneration, are classed as volunteers. Voluteers are not considered to be those seeking formal work experience (eg: school students on work experience placements); those required to perform community work as a result of having committed an offence of some kind; and participants in employment  programs such as Green Corps.

PCL is committed to providing safe, efficient and satisfying work for all our volunteers. The PCL Volunteer Policy has been developed to assist PCL staff and volunteers who work with them, to better understand their roles, rights and responsibilities in working together for a better local environment. 

• PCL Volunteer Policy ( PDF 71Kb)