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Meet David Jones: CVA Program Development Manager Restoring Sydney’s Biodiversity

 

At CVA, we take great pride in our staff. Many volunteers have worked alongside our project managers over the years, including David Jones, who joined CVA in Sydney in 2017 and is now our Program Development Manager.

David brings a real passion for protecting the environment, two decades of experience in the environmental sector, and an eagerness to show that conservation is something everyone can get involved in.

Ask David what lies at the heart of CVA, and he won’t just point to the trees that have been planted. He’ll point to the people standing next to them. Read on to learn about David’s journey into conservation, and how he works with hundreds of volunteers in Sydney each year to protect and enhance biodiversity.

From Childhood Nature Experiences to a Career in Conservation

Childhood experiences in nature can shape a person’s whole career. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by nature. One of my earliest memories is being on my dad’s back in Grampians National Park, Victoria, taking in the smell of fresh eucalyptus leaves and the sounds of the forest,” explains David.

“This love of nature inspired me to study it at university and learn more about it. Over time, I came to realise that people are defining the fate of the planet and its biodiversity, so it made sense to me to be an agent for good and do everything I could to protect it through conservation work,” he says.

David went on to complete a Bachelor of Science, majoring in ecology and zoology, at James Cook University in Far North Queensland, and studied Conservation and Ecosystem Management at TAFE.

Early in his career, he gained valuable practical experience on a conservation program in South Africa, using acoustic devices to monitor frogs and surveying chameleons. He also worked with Biosecurity Queensland, tracking invasive ants and bees, and as an ecotourism guide, exploring Australia and the wider world.

Today, David is CVA’s Program Development Manager in Sydney. In his new role, he manages conservation projects across the city, including the Georges River Koala and Platypus Program, Sir Joseph Banks Park and Londonderry Woodland, bringing together volunteers, partners and communities to achieve positive outcomes for people and nature.

Recently, David was part of a diverse group of partners delivering the Cumberland Plain Restoration Project. “Working closely with the Firesticks Alliance and local Dharug Traditional Owners, we helped deliver one of the first cultural burns in Western Sydney since colonisation, supporting not only the health of Londonderry Woodland but also the continuation of Dharug cultural knowledge and practice,” says David.

A Day in the Life of a Conservationist in Sydney

As Program Development Manager, David is responsible for “creating and delivering projects that make a positive impact for people and nature”.

“I do this by creating opportunities for people to join events, get out in nature, learn about the natural environment and take positive action to restore it. That might mean restoring habitat by planting natives or building nest boxes, removing threats through weeding and litter collection, or collecting data through citizen science,” he explains.

On event days, David is usually up by 6.30 am, preparing attendance lists and chopping watermelon for morning tea. He then travels to project sites around Sydney, some up to an hour and a half away, where he meets volunteers and spends the day coordinating rehabilitation work.

No two sites are the same, but they all have one thing in common: “some great bushland and native species diversity, combined with some areas that are polluted or weed-infested and need a helping hand to thrive,” says David.

Between field days, David works from his home office, where he manages and plans projects, writes grant applications and develops new partnerships. It’s a balance he particularly enjoys.

Group sizes vary as much as the sites do. Some days there are as few as five volunteers, while special events can draw up to 105, although a typical group is around 15 to 20 people. “This is an ideal group size: big enough for some fun group energy and to meet new people, while being small enough for the group to get to know each other well, easily ask questions and be supervised safely,” says David.

Conservation Is for Everyone

There is a common misconception that you have to fit a certain mould to turn up to an environmental event. David is keen to challenge that idea.

“You don’t need to identify as a ‘greenie’ or a ‘hippy’ to take action for nature,” David says firmly. “A healthy planet is crucial for us all. So if a stable climate, cleaner air, cleaner water or protecting biodiversity isn’t what motivates you, do it for the health of your community, your family and yourself.”

The commitment of everyday people never ceases to amaze David, and a few stories stand out.

Take Gaeron and Juliette, a couple from the United States who arrived in Sydney last year. Both worked in the environmental sector back home, but instead of spending their limited time in Australia purely sightseeing, they signed up for a CVA event at Sir Joseph Banks Park to pull weeds.

David later discovered a lovely detail: they were on their honeymoon. “It was a wonderful reminder of how deeply people can care about the environment, and how volunteering can become part of some pretty special life memories,” David reflects.

“Our events are for everyone!” David says.

“A typical event has a mixture of retirees, students, corporate volunteers, international visitors, families and even groups of friends wanting to have some fun together outside. We’ve even had volunteers choose a CVA event as their ‘date night’ activity,” he adds.

Finding Fulfilment in Nature

For David, a career in environmental conservation is one of the most satisfying paths a person can take. Even after a gruelling day out in the elements, his remedy for exhaustion isn’t crashing on the couch; it’s getting straight back outside. “My most demanding days are actually those spent indoors looking at a screen,” he admits. “Getting outside in nature is always the cure.”

Be Part of the Difference

When David looks at his sites, he sees a vision for the future: wild spaces abundant with native wildlife, clean waterways free of pollution, and local communities proudly enjoying the shade of trees they planted with their own hands.
Getting there takes sustained commitment, ongoing funding and, most importantly, you. David believes everyone has something to contribute to conservation, and CVA welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful day outdoors, a unique date night in Sydney or simply a chance to give back to your local community, there’s a place for you. You don’t need to be an expert, just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
Come and transform landscapes with us. Sign up for a CVA project today, meet some incredible people and help us grow the forests and wetlands of tomorrow.