Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusion
Victoria's “sea change” has seen coastal human populations swell and impacts on
coastal ecosystems compounded. More volunteers are now required to maintain the
status quo, although a mainstreaming of environmental responsibility during the past
two decades has seen environmental volunteering gain broader community accep-
tance. Restorative efforts that engage large numbers of people may stand a better
chance of success in the future. We have seen that such efforts may be successful if
driven by a small, but knowledgeable and committed, core group leading a less-
skilled, occasional volunteer force. Following a restoration effort, the relationship be-
tween volunteer and ecosystem will grow and change. It will become more profound
with time. The motivations of volunteers may also change over time. What once be-
gan as an exercise in giving back may change to a social reward. In order to meet the
needs of the growing restoration movement, we have seen supporting frameworks de-
velop from within and outside government. However, it is important to note that the
movement developed from
within
coastal communities in Victoria—the first coastal
volunteer organizers were concerned coastal residents, not bureaucrats.
Volunteering allows us to redefine relationships with the ecosystem. Restoration
not only restores the coastal ecosystem but also rebuilds lost links to the ecosystem. It
brings us back into the ecosystem. Restoring an ecosystem provides a pathway for us to
develop links to an ecosystem and for new human populations to reconnect. A deeper
appreciation of natural, cultural, and spiritual values is both the impetus and the out-
come of volunteering. This feedback loop offers hope that we can achieve balance in
our ecosystem relationship; hope that the maintenance of fragile coastal ecosystems is
possible in the face of ever-present development and growth aspirations on our finite
coastal lands.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 2007. http://www.abs.gov.au.
CoastAction/CoastCare. 2007. “Coast Action Strategy 2005-2010.” Department of Sustain-
ability and Environment, Victorian Government.
Davidson, C. B. 2007. “Sea Change Taskforce.” Presentation given by Surf Coast Shire coun-
cilor, Torquay foreshore. April 14, 2007.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). 2005.
Coastal Spaces Inception Re-
port
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Flannery, T. 2000.
The Explorers: Stories of Discovery and Adventure from the Australian Fron-
tier
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Gurran, N., C. Squire, and E. Blakely. 2005.
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Murphy, P. 2004.
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