Volunteering

S

o you want to get more involved in conservation? The best way to start is to volunteer. This page will direct you to resources all about volunteering in the countryside.

To find a group or activity near you have a look at the Naturenet List of Conservation Volunteer Groups on the WebPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet or check this helpful seach service from our friends at Do-it

Why Volunteer?

VolunteeringVolunteering is a good way to find out more about your local countryside, or somewhere you want to know more about. You meet the people who work there, and who know all about it. You will learn skills and knowledge whilst helping to look after the countryside. Volunteering is a great way to start a career in conservation - to find out more about this see our Careers pagePages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet. People volunteer to keep active after retirement, or to gain experience before taking a paid job, or as a part of a course or award scheme, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It can also be a good way to meet like-minded people socially, and many conservation volunteer groups also meet in the pub or people's homes as well as actually out in the countryside. See London and West Middlesex National Trusts volunteer group for a good example of this sort of thing in action. Some conservation volunteers even find it a great way to hitch up with a new partner!

What does it involve?

Volunteering can take almost any form. There are opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, and for those who can give lots of time or just a little. You might even be able to work from home and still lend a hand. You might get your expenses paid, and maybe free entry to places where others might have to pay, or free training. But then again you might not. It will depend on the individual arrangements you have with the people you are volunteering for. Don't be afraid to ask before you start. You should make sure you only promise to do what you are sure you will do - don't offer to work all week if you think you might not turn up some days.

How do I Volunteer?

Don't worry, it's painless. Get in touch with your local countryside service, such as a country park, Wildlife TrustPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet, or National ParkPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet. If you are a frequent visitor to a particular bit of countryside you will probably have met the rangers or other people who work there already. These will be the very best place to start, because they will know your local area. Other organisations have their own volunteers who work on their particular reserves or countryside. These include RSPBPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet and the National TrustPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet.

Of course you won't want to miss the country's foremost website for voluntary (and paid) jobs in the countryside: Countryside Jobs Service. Many voluntary posts come up on CJS which are great opportunities for starting a career, and can include overseas jobs as well if that's your inclination.

Volunteering Links

BUCV Conservation Volunteers Safety PolicyPages marked with this symbol are exclusively written for Naturenet: if you are running a volunteer group and havn't got a safety policy, you should have. This simple document is a good place to start.

International Volunteering

VSO: recruits experienced volunteers to natural resources positions in some of the poorest countries in the world. VSO has opportunities in agricultural teaching, coastal resource management, horticulture, forestry, eco-tourism and natural resource management. There are also opportunities to work overseas for 17-25 year olds through the World Youth exchange or the Youth for Development programme.
Earthwatch Institute: matching conservation volunteers from around the world to suitable research projects
Volunteer Latin America: seems to offer some genuine volunteer opportunities, not just cheap holidays!
• If you have large sums of money and a yearning for foreign travel, you may indulge yourself by looking at Ecovolunteer. It is very pretty and alluring, but remember -'think globally, act locally.'
The World Guide to Voluntary Work In Nature Conservation.
The Global Volunteer Network.

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