21/10/2026
The realities of volunteering…
I was reluctant to share this post, but I think to not share devalues the experience when really it is just one of the many stories of volunteering.
On the 13th of September for BioBlitz month, MPIL hosted a iNat nature walk through Warringine Park. We had only one attendee… myself who made the event 👋
Despite the great engagement on socials and general enthusiasm, it did not necessarily translate into attendance. And so after waiting to see if anyone would do a last minute show up, I decided to make the most of it and still go on a lovely walk and capture the many species that call this part of Mornington Peninsula home 📸
During this walk I did have to grapple with the feelings of failure and disappointment in myself. That I, as someone who just spoke to a whole room of Landcarers at the forum just the week prior about engaging youth in Landcare, could not get the youth engaged in this one event. The imposter syndrome was very high after spending time making this event. All the behind the scenes things that though I enjoy, took time that others could not be empowered by in the end. That I could not share this with my peers, my community, like I envisioned was very disheartening. 😞
However, through this also came acceptance. This is the reality of volunteering, there was still positives to the day! I recorded 35 different flora and fauna of all shapes and sizes, indigenous and weedy. All went into the MPS BioBlitz on iNat that then provided biodiversity information to any who wish to utilise that data. The environment still benefited from just me and I still felt connected with my local environment, which ultimately led me to feel connected to myself. And is that not one of the many goals of Intrepid Landcare?? To get young people out in nature and connected?! 🤔
So though I do hope in the future our events have more attendees than this one, I can say with reflection that this was a successful event ✅🌱
I now put it to the community, please comment below any event suggestions that you would love to participate in! 👇👀
MPIL crew - Zali x
