Partnering with Office of Environment and Heritage, Hunter Region Landcare Network is hosting three workshops teaching people how to use the infrared cameras, which will be self-installed on sites for a period of two weeks.

“This is a great opportunity for interested individuals to learn about what native species are using our Landcare sites and how we can protect them,” says Lower and Mid Hunter Landcare Coordinator Stacy Mail.

“Of course, we are hoping to find the presence of threatened species, but sometimes knowing you have a pest on site can explain the lack of native species.”

All of the video footage captured on site will be sorted and tagged using crowdsourcing platform DigiVol, an initiative of the Australian Museum in collaboration with the Atlas of Living Australia.

Volunteers will be able to view relevant footage and label wildlife as it appears on screen.

“The ability to get digital volunteers really changes data processing time; what might have taken one person days can now be completed by multiple people, all over the country, in one day.”

The first free workshop will be held at East Maitland and is expected to attract existing and new Landcare members. Membership is free. 

This project is possible thanks to funding by Local Land Services.

For more info about workshops visit: hunterlandcare.org.au/wildlife-discovery