Conservation force need new members

South West environmentalists are hoping to form an army of green thumbs for their 2016 mission.

The South West Catchments Council is calling on school leavers, gap year students, graduates and job seekers between 17 and 24 to sign up for the Green Army.

As part of the Australian Government Green Army program, army members will help local councils and conservation groups protect land, waterways, flora and fauna in the South West.

One day a week will be spent at Leschenault Community Nursery in Bunbury and business manager Tammy Godsell said the Green Army would benefit the region’s environment.

“Anyone we can introduce to this kind of work and get them passionate about the environment is a positive thing, ” she said.

Ms Godsell said army members would perform basic maintenance of plants and the nursery itself.

“They’ll see the different processes once we pick seed and where they go from there, ” she said.

The council will coordinate the activities for three Green Army teams over a year starting in July.

This will include plant and weed surveys, site preparation and planting, seed collecting and seedling propagation and weed identification and control.

Teams will also learn how to build and install nesting boxes for the endangered western ringtail possum.

SWCC chief executive officer Damien Postma said army members would learn from a diverse group of professionals and volunteers passionate about “their patch”.

“We hope that the participants will not just gain new skills and knowledge, but a sense of pride, accomplishment and camaraderie, ” he said.

Green Army members are paid up to 30 hours a week for a 20 to 26-week period and can complete accredited training modules.