Nature reserve volunteers

We welcome enquiries from potential new members, as volunteers are a vital part of the team caring for the nature reserves and green spaces throughout the area.

The Wildlife Trust runs teams of volunteers who carry out a variety of practical tasks on these sites improving them for wildlife and for public enjoyment.

No prior knowledge, skills or experience are necessary, as on the job training will be provided.

Tasks will be adapted to suit individuals, taking into account their abilities and fitness levels.

Our open-to-all groups meet on Mondays and Tuesdays, usually at 10am and finish around 3pm, depending on the particular task.

Transport costs can be reimbursed and occasionally transport can be arranged to the location but spaces are limited.

Practical work tasks can be arranged for corporate groups, schools and other organisations. These may be to improve a specific site or tailored to suit a groups training or team building requirements.

What can volunteering offer you?

The chance to work outdoors in interesting locations.

Learn new practical skills or improve on existing ones.

Learn about wildlife on your doorstep and what you can do to help it.

Meet new people and gain a sense of belonging to a useful team.

Practical experience for future employment.

Satisfaction from seeing an improvement and making a difference to your local area.

Improve your health and fitness with exercise and fresh air.

Jobs include:

Pond and ditch clearance

Path construction, step building and repairs.

Hedging, fencing and tree planting.

Habitat management including wetland, meadow and woodland management.

Do I need to bring anything?

All you need is a packed lunch and drink, sensible, warm outdoor clothing and waterproofs.

The Trust will provide gloves, wellies and other protective clothing that may be required.

What next?

At the moment there are four places available on the Monday group and two on the Tuesday group. If you would like to register your interest or talk to us for an informal chat about volunteering, please print, complete and return the attached vol details form.pdf (see below). Daniel van den Toorn, the Reserves Officer (dvandentoorn@teeswildlife.org) will be in touch with further details and any joining instructions if a place is secured. You can also view the Trust's Volunteer Policy.

Other Opportunities

1) Environmental Education Volunteers assist to deliver activities and education at our Headquarters and other sites.

2) Admin Volunteers assist with general office duties such as filing, occasional typing and making up membership packs.

3) Biodiversity Project Volunteers assist by carrying out bird and wildlife surveys. For example a volunteer could be allotted a local farm to record bird sightings, or you could be trained to recognise signs of mammals to record their presence.

4) Trustees assist The Trust on the committee which meets four times a year.

Visit the gallery