Join us in East Gippsland's forests over the Labour Day long weekend in March.

Learn from the dedicated and passionate ecologists and activists at GECO whose citizen science campaign is saving forests from logging. We'll be based in and around Goongerah, including surrounding high conservation value and old growth forests.

You are warmly invited to join us in East Gippsland's forests over this Labour Day long weekend.

There will be dinner available for those who arrive early on Friday night, and activities on Saturday during the day. The official welcome and intro to camp will take place Saturday evening so everyone has time to drive from different places.

The camp will be facilitated by dedicated and passionate ecologists and activists from GECO. Join in the camp and campaign that is saving endangered species and forests from logging.

We'll be based in and around Goongerah, including surrounding high conservation value and old growth forests.

We will visit forests on the lands of the Bidwell, Gunnai-Kurnai and Monaro people. We acknowledge their ongoing custodianship of these forests and pay respect to elder’s past, present and emerging.

New and previous participants are invited to take part in surveying for endangered species. The data collected during the weekend will be used to assist in the campaign to protect endangered species and high value conservation forests.

We encourage you to download the GECO survey manual to look over before camp. https://bit.ly/2SQr21h

If you have any questions about survey techniques, you're welcome to ask any of the facilitators at the camp.

Ideally GECO is seeking more citizen scientists to help protect the forest and we encourage all new and past participates to become further involved.

You will have the opportunity to gain skills in orientation (including using GPS), which is essential to feeling confident in conducting your own surveys.

Each camp includes a mix of some of the following activities: wildlife spotlighting, remote fauna camera use, forest and rainforest identification survey techniques. At every camp you'll experience some of Victoria's most spectacular forests that are still under imminent threat from logging.

GECO couldn't do the work we do without you! Participation in camps helps hold the government to account for the destruction of our forests and increases the protection of these ancient ecosystems. Participants from prior camps have been essential in the collection of valuable data which has led to forest protection.

We aim to be inclusive and flexible so everyone can join in. Families and children are welcome.

The camp is free of charge. However, donations to cover costs are most appreciated. https://gecoforests.nationbuilder.com/donate

We suggest you arrive on Saturday during the day to be ready to start the program on Saturday evening.

The GECO kitchen tent will be set up with communal gas burners, cooking pots and pans, bowls, cups and cutlery etc.

The kitchen will be available to use each morning for breakfast, lunch will be eaten in the bush on field trips.

You need to supply your own breakfast and lunch, and snacks during the day.

Dinner will be provided for Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights free of cost, however donations are appreciated. Meals will be Vegan and Gluten free.

What to bring

• Camping gear: tent/swag and tarp, head torch, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, water bottles/containers etc
• Warm clothing and wet weather gear
• Sturdy footwear for walking in the bush
• Gaiters or tough long pants for walking
• Food for the four days
• Fuel for your cars. Fill up in Orbost if coming from the south or Bombala if coming from the north. You need enough fuel to drive from the campground each day to field trip locations and still have enough left over to get out of Goongerah. If you have a jerry can bring it along.
• Money if you want to buy some GECO merchandise like survey manuals hoodies, t shirts, posters, stickers etc or make a donation

If you have any questions about the camp and for more info and details about our campaign visit www.geco.org.au

Contact: Tom Crook
[email protected]
0417 557 114