30th January 2025

Envite operates across a vast range of ecosystems and environments, from the cool temperate rainforests of East Gippsland to the dry tropics of Northern Queensland, delivering an array of different projects. 

The Envite Exchange Program offers selected high performing staff, who demonstrate the Workways values and a strong commitment to their role, the opportunity to embark on a week long, expenses paid trip to work on a project in another Envite area OR a professional development opportunity.

Eva Rose, Environmental Restoration Coordinator for Envite Gippsland, recently embarked on her exchange to Envite Coffs Harbour and filed the following report on her return:

It was a privilege to be chosen to participate in the Envite Exchange program where I gained insights into the knowledge and operations of a number of the Coffs Harbour projects including Koala corridor restoration and survey of the Southern Pink Underwinged Moth and Carronia vine.

My first assignment was attending a community planning meeting for koala survey and mapping at Arakoon National Park. This gathering was in collaboration with stakeholders from NSW Parks, NSW Biodiversity, and community volunteers, rangers, and First Nations community representatives.

Through this collaboration, a suitable mix of koala feed trees was identified for planting. These trees will be planted across 3 planting events including planting with people from Country and a community planting with local Landcare groups. The remaining planting in the more challenging areas will be completed by Envite.

The most exciting part of my secondment was involvement with the Carronia Vine and Southern Pink Underwinged Moth survey. While carrying out surveys in the Orara West State forest, I was excited to be involved in a rare sighting of the moth larvae.

Envite team member, Isaac, had his eye in and the first to spot the caterpillar. We were unsure if it was what we were hoping for. We recorded the sighting with pictures, GPS etc and moved on to keep monitoring other sites throughout the day. We later returned to do some hand removal of lantana around where we spotted the caterpillar. I bumped the vine by accident and the caterpillar showed its face in defence. It would be fair to say we screamed in excitement to get a passive ID from the show. We were pumped. After some gentle persuasion to get it defensive again, Kris managed to capture an exceptionally good photo of the caterpillar, which can be viewed in the gallery below.

After the excitement of the SPUM sighting, it was time to employ some elbow grease. Lomandra clearing at a koala corridor restoration site gave me a particularly good appreciation for the hard physical work the Coffs team do with the density of the vegetation, steep terrain, and humid conditions, all the while being professional with safety, their plant ID skills, tracking and communication.

I also took the opportunity to go exploring in the evenings at places nearby like Mutton Bird Island and the local headland walks. Saturday morning before my flight, on advice from the Coffs team, I got up at dawn, drove up the hills to see Bangalore Falls, which has a walk through awe-inspiring grand trees that escaped former logging. I also stopped in on Urumbilum Falls which I enjoyed walking along the steam to the base of the falls for a swim in the deep cool natural pool.  

I am incredibly grateful to be awarded of the “Rewards and Recognition” secondment to experience what our northern teams are about.

Working for Envite is one of the most rewarding positions I have ever held. Working in beautiful locations to enrich the diversity and health of the environment, and to work with fascinating knowledgeable staff, community members, and clients is a privilege.

Envite’s mission to deliver positive economic, social, and environmental benefits to the community by enabling people to participate in the workforce is something I very much value.

The Coffs Harbour team are engaged, hardworking and inclusive. Which is a credit to them all.

I took away from my time with them some of their values and quality operational skills which I will endeavour to share with our team here in East Gippsland.

Congratulations, Eva, on your selection for the Envite Exchange Program, and thank you for your dedication to environmental restoration, professional development, and sharing of knowledge.