While 2020 has been a tough year for all, spare a thought for Hunter Wetlands Centre.
Just like everyone else, they faced the challenges of shutting down temporarily during the COVID-19 breakout in March, but that's been the low on their list of worries since.
Most recently, about 200 trees came crashing down in a wild storm that caused severe and widespread damage across Shortland, Sandgate, Maryland and Wallsend on November 16.
"The wind destruction to trees was far worse than the Pasha Bulker storm," Hunter Wetlands Centre CEO Ken Bayliss said.
"That time it flooded a bit, but we didn't have the destruction of the trees like this.
"This was by far the worst I've ever experienced. It's been quite devastating actually."
This was by far the worst I've ever experienced. It's been quite devastating actually.
Hunter Wetlands CEO Ken Bayliss
While it has been more than two weeks since the storm, the organisation is still working to repair all the damage.
"It went through like a tornado, which obviously created all sorts of problems," Mr Bayliss said.
"Tracks, trails and roads were blocked, we had to close for two days. We've had teams with chainsaws clearing all the roadways, but there's still some trees down. We're about two thirds of the way through.
"Visitors have actually come just to have a look at the damage."
This followed the visitor's centre and nearby Nardoo Building being flooded when 100mm of rain was dumped on the wetlands in late October.
"We had to replace all the carpets," Mr Bayliss said.
And before that, a suspected arson attack caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage in May.
Mr Bayliss said a four-wheel-drive ute, a tractor, chainsaws, two ride on mowers and miscellaneous tools were all lost in the fire.
The CEO described 2020 as "a heck of a year".
"It's all designed to take away any spare time that I do have," he said with a laugh.
"We've definitely never had a year like this before.
"When you consider we're all volunteers we've been busy. Everybody has worked really really well to get us through."
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