Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) South West Victoria has relocated from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA office in Warrnambool to a new base at the Deakin campus.

It is also exploring ways to strengthen its ties with the university.

CVA south-west manager Nick Graesser said it hoped more local projects could be developed to involve Deakin staff and students.

“We are keen to engage with the Deakin community at a number of different levels,” Mr Graesser said.

“We’ve always had a stream of volunteers from the environmental science faculty doing professional practice experience through us in conservation-related disciplines, now we want to take that to another level with activities specifically for Deakin students.

“We’re aiming to develop more local projects and activities around Warrnambool. For example, we’re in discussion with groups like the Basalt to Bay Landcare Network about the potential for supporting farmers who want to plant shelterbelts,” he said.

Mr Graesser said CVA’s role was to provide volunteers to plant trees, control weeds and other conservation activities.

“Students will have the opportunity to be involved in these projects and we’re in discussions with Deakin to explore ways to more deeply get involved with the university,” he said.

CVA will hold an information session for students from 5.30pm on Wednesday, May 17 at Building J2.27 to showcase existing projects and outline future opportunities.