The Trust is powered by an army of volunteers, each one of them making a real difference to the habitats we protect and the wildlife that thrives within them. We simply could not achieve the action we take for nature’s recovery without them. To put that in to context, in 2022 we have had 955 volunteers who collectively contributed 13,016 hours. Incredible!

The roles of our volunteers are extremely varied. Starting with perhaps the more obvious ones, we have a huge amount of help from some truly wonderful groups and individuals who support us with practical work on our nature reserves. With the vast array of tasks we carry out, this can range from helping to fix fences  to carrying out water vole surveys or helping in the office.  Conservation volunteers can help by joining our regular work parties to take care of our nature reserves, or take on roles such as looking after the livestock that graze our reserves or being volunteer nature reserve wardens. Monitoring our habitats and species is extremely important and this is largely carried out by our surveying volunteers who support a programme of work on Local Wildlife Sites, our nature reserves, chalk streams and for local projects. Educating our wider community about wildlife and the work of the Trust is another vital function – our community engagement volunteers spend their days and evenings at community events, running workshops and activities or giving talks to schools, scouts, WI groups and the many, many other organisations who benefit from their time and knowledge. Nimble-fingered volunteers help us with data entry and membership administration, whilst keen-eyed volunteers support us with reviewing planning applications and financial spreadsheets. Then, there are those who volunteer to fundraise for us - at events, taking on impressive personal challenges and arranging bring and buy sales. Our Trustees volunteer their time, knowledge and experience to steer and govern the Trust. Every one of our volunteers has a skill that extends our scale and reach, every one of our volunteers is valued.

Wildlife is, of course, the number one beneficiary from all this work but our volunteers do get a lot out of it too. Contributing time and effort to protect and enhance our environment, knowing that every act makes a difference is wonderful for wellbeing. Spending time outdoors, working on physical tasks is great for maintaining or building fitness levels. Plus, with opportunities to learn new skills, develop experience and meet new people – volunteering really is win, win.

We cannot thank our volunteers enough. Nature cannot thank our volunteers enough. But, ‘thank you’. Thank you from us all at the Trust and thank you on behalf of the wildlife you protect.

If you  are interested in doing more for nature and expanding our valued community of volunteers, then check what’s on offer on our volunteering pages and find an activity to suit you.  Please note that all activities are carefully risk assessed and all volunteers must be registered with the Trust before joining an activity.