About Outdoors People for Climate Action (OPCA)

OPCA is an Australia-wide grassroots group made up of outdoor enthusiasts and workers. The climate and ecological crisis, through worsening extreme weather events and impacts to biodiversity, is harming the places we love and our ability to access the outdoors for business, work and play. Our mission is to protect the outdoors in the face of the climate and ecological emergency by driving bold action in the outdoor community. We work with outdoors people and outdoor businesses to create positive change.

You can learn more about us at https://www.outdoorspeople.org/

About our work with outdoor businesses

We work with businesses that operate in or for the outdoors including those who work in outdoor education, outdoor tourism and outdoor retail. Outdoor businesses are a key part of the outdoor community and have the power to be a force for positive change.

We provide outdoor businesses with the opportunity to become a supporter of OPCA, pledge their support for climate action and join our community of climate-engaged outdoor businesses. Through our blog, newsletters and presentations we provide information, resources and opportunities to help businesses become more environmentally sustainable and to take climate action. We work directly with outdoor businesses and outdoor peak bodies to promote positive action within the outdoor sectors. We promote the positive actions that are already being taken by outdoor businesses to accelerate positive change among businesses.

We are supporting outdoor businesses to:

1. Educate themselves, employees and clients about climate change and climate solutions,

2. Take action to reduce their businesses climate and environmental impact or 'footprint',

3. Work with and empower employees in taking positive action for the climate,

4. Role model climate action within the outdoor sector, and

5. Add their voice in support of climate action, making sure decision makers take the outdoor sector's concerns into account.

Join our team

We currently have more than 10 passionate outdoors people working on our volunteer team. We all live in different locations in Australia and a few volunteers are overseas. Currently, almost all of our work is remote. Volunteering with us means having an impact from the comfort of your own home. To complete our work, we communicate regularly through Slack, and have our team meetings on Zoom. Our team is friendly, inclusive and fun. Our group is growing quickly and we have many opportunities to have a meaningful positive impact within the outdoor community. We are 100% volunteer run and our volunteers are our most valuable resource. We are looking for more passionate outdoors people to join our team!

An ideal applicant would:

• Live anywhere in Australia (but could be overseas)

• Loves the outdoors and is wanting to help tackle the climate crisis (or if the outdoors isn't your thing, but you'd like to use your skills to help us achieve our mission)

• Is excited by the positive impact that outdoor businesses can have

• Is motivated and can work independently - we will provide support, guidance and direction

• Is able to offer at least 6 hours a week regularly (work hours are flexible to suit your schedule)

• Has strong communication skills and is happy to work online and use software such as Slack, social media and email

About the role

We will get to know you and learn about your skill-sets and interests, to find a way to contribute that works best for you.

A typical day volunteering with OPCA could include:

• Connecting with outdoors businesses and peak bodies, via email, social media, phone and zoom

• Collaborating with other community and climate groups

• Creating social media posts, graphics, videos, blog posts, climate action resources or online actions

• Attending conferences, events and giving presentations

• Distributing flyers and posters

• Writing articles and submissions

• Planning and thinking ahead, contributing to the direction of our work with businesses

Benefits of volunteering with OPCA

• Take effective climate action and drive positive change within the outdoor community

• Connect with like-minded people, be a part of our growing community and have fun

• Grow your skill sets, learn new things and gain valuable experience

Note: We are also looking for a Campaigner / Community Organiser for our broader work with outdoors people. Please see our other volunteer listing.

If you think you would be a good fit, definitely apply! We need as much help as we can get and there is a place for everyone in this movement!