Volunteers clearing weeds and spreading mulch

Become a Friend of Strickland State Forest on the NSW Central Coast. Work outdoors, learn new skills and contribute to the education, recreation and conservation values of this unique forest.

The Friends of Strickland is also a social group - a great way to meet people and a good opportunity for secondary and tertiary students to gain valuable work-experience. The 'Friends' are always on the lookout for active new members.

Projects

The Friends of Strickland group works on a range of projects, including:

• constructing a network of walking tracks which encourage the community to explore and learn about forest environments - all of the track work is done by hand, with volunteers learning skills and gaining experience in the art of walking trail construction;
• carrying out natural area restoration to enable rare and threatened plants, animals and plant communities to outcompete noxious and environmental weed species;
• encouraging community use of the forest to stamp out illegal activities such as rubbish dumping and vandalism in the forest, and making the forest a clean and safe place to visit.

All equipment and supervision is provided. Volunteers should wear long trousers, long sleeves and sturdy shoes. Please also bring a water bottle. Morning tea is provided.

Induction and Volunteer Policy

All volunteers are inducted into the program at their first session and are informed of Forests NSW Volunteer Policy and Safety Management System requirements.

When and where

The Friends of Strickland newsletter outlines the current projects, dates and meeting points. To request a copy of the newsletter, email volunteer@sf.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 655 687.

Directions

Access to Strickland State Forest is via Mangrove Road, by one of the following routes:

• Driving north on the F3 freeway, take the Peats Ridge Rd turnoff and follow Peats Ridge Rd up to Wiseman’s Ferry Rd overpass; turn right onto Wiseman’s Ferry Rd, turn right again onto Dog Trap Rd, and follow until you go right over the F3. This road over the bridge is Mangrove Rd. Follow and turn right into Strickland Rd.
• Driving south on the F3 freeway, take the Ourimbah turnoff and stay on the Pacific Highway 83; turn right into Dog Trap Rd. This road veers right and goes over the F3. Continue following until you turn left into Mangrove Rd (this is the bridge heading back across the F3). Follow and turn right into Strickland Rd.
  

  Visitors at Strickland State Forest

• Via Narara Valley Drive, Narara, turn into Mangrove Road and drive up the mountain. Turn left into Strickland Rd.

Further information

For information about volunteering at Strickland State Forest:

• email  volunteer@sf.nsw.gov.au
• phone 1300 655 687.

Find out more about Strickland State Forest.