The Woodberry woman has grown in confidence since she selected to complete conservation projects at the Hunter Wetlands.

“I’m hoping it will take me into working with National Parks,” Miss Blackhurst said.

“They have a field officer traineeship and I’m hoping to get into that.”

Conservation Volunteers co-ordinates the national Green Army projects which are designed to give participants skills that make them job ready.

It gives them basic skills like punctuality but can also form a strong foundation to pursue work or further study in environmental fields.

Miss Blackhurst finished school at Francis Greenway in 2012 and completed her Certificate II in tourism.

A year’s study was condensed to four weeks so that she could become a team leader in the 2013 Special Olympics.

“It was fun, I really loved it,” Miss Blackhurst said.

“It helped build my confidence around people, just with talking to them.

“I was OK before but a little on the shy side.”

Since Miss Blackhurst ­started with the Green Army she’s developed further skills.

The participants learn the basics from seed propagation through to more complex tasks like targeted weed control and walkway construction.

“Being out in nature makes me feel happy and takes my mind off everything,” she said.

Miss Blackhurst moved to Woodberry from the Northern Territory with her family in 2002.

She hopes for a career in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which  could open up many career pathways. It would also help Miss Blackhurst realise another dream.

“I’m hoping it will take me back to the Territory,” she said.

Green Army participants like Josh Payne have worked hard to better themselves and the environment at Hunter Wetlands.

The East Maitland man is part way through his second round of duty with the Green Army and has helped with an important weed control trial.

“Torpedo grass has a big base and it spreads rapidly,” Mr Payne said.

“We had to have the torpedo grass cut then applied [broad-spectrum herbicide] glyphosate with a dye added to see where we had applied it.

“We then leave it and see how it goes.”

Participants soon saw the weed shrivel and die.

“We checked up on it every couple of days for about three weeks,” Mr Payne said. “The trial went really well.”

This kind of work gives participants the foundation to pursue certificate qualifications in environmental ­conservation.

“I’ve been out of school for the past year or so and into this,” Mr Payne said.

“It’s helped me meet new people and learn new skills for later in life.”

Mr Payne said he could highly recommend the program organised by Conservation Volunteers.

“It’s a great learning experience and you do lots of fun stuff while you’re here,” he said.

“I want to do something like this later down the track.”

The Green Army is a federal ­government initiative open to young people including Indigenous Australians, school leavers, gap year students, graduates and job seekers who are looking for employment to develop skills, undertake training and gain experience in the delivery of ­conservation. 

For more information call the Newcastle office of Conservation Volunteers on 4961 2358 or email newcastle@conservationvolunteers. com.au.