Countryside Jobs Service

I firmly believe that all careers in conservation are borne from an appreciation of wildlife, and the desire to do your very best for it. This appreciation, for me came at a very young age, walking and playing in nearby woodlands, making rudimentary nets for catching tadpoles and taking discarded bird feathers home for my father to identify, all of the time slowly building on my skills and experiences, that would one day enable me to work for my local Wildlife Trust.

I first started volunteering with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) whilst at college in 2000, undertaking species surveys, managing habitats and getting to grips with writing reports. All my volunteering and passed experiences have led to my current role as Wildlife and Wetland Advisory Officer, allowing me to visit and work in some of the finest countryside Wales has to offer, all in search of rare wildlife such as dormice, bats, otters and water voles. For me, the experiences gained from volunteering are fundamental to the work I do now, but it was only until I started working for the Wildlife Trust did I realise just how important volunteers are to the organisation and the numerous reasons why people choose to volunteer and the vital function they perform. Robert Parry, Wildlife and Wetland Advisory Officer.

Having decided to pursue higher education in Environmental Conservation in the UK, I never anticipated that I would remain here so many years later having settled comfortably in Cardiff, my new home after living in the Middle East most of my life.

I am fortunate to be volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales who have acted as a great educational guardian since I first made contact with them. Although I initially sought work in ecological surveillance, I have had the privilege of working in practical habitat management. This has had the added benefit of increasing my contact with nature and enhancing my understanding of the natural processes, the various practical managerial prescriptions within the constraints posed by resources and policy. I have also benefited from the proximity of working with a dedicated team of knowledgeable volunteers.

Furthermore, the opportunities offered by the Trust to take part in bat, dormice and water vole surveys did not take long to bring benefits. Shortly after assisting with those, I was able to obtain paid work from a private consultancy firm surveying bats, which in turn has lead to increased positive feedback from recruitment agencies.

PAY free accom & food voucher. Training FOR THE WILDLIFE TRUST FOR SOUTH & WEST WALES

DES Part of a team managing busy reserve & Visitor centre. Practical work, surveys & assist with visitor gps. BUT Suit recent graduate seeking experience. ASK CV to Phil Ward, Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, Cardigan, SA43 2TB p.ward@welshwildlife.org 07989 346562

PAY 0 + accom/food/travel/ training & equipment budget FOR CARDIFF COUNTY COUNCIL

DES Great opportunity to live & work on an Island Nature Reserve (SSSI & LNR) in the Bristol Channel. Demanding yet rewarding position. Gain experience in: practical habitat work; livestock husbandry; leading guided tours for visitors; leading vol work parties, wildlife monitoring; env education; building maintenance & more. Rota: vols work 10 days on island followed by 4 days leave (all weather dependent). BUT Need enthusiasm, flexibility, 6+ mths commitment, with strong social skills. 16-24’s can join millennium Volunteer programme ASK send CV & covering letter to Flat Holm Project, c/o Channel View Leisure Centre, Jim Driscoll Way, Grangetown, Cardiff CF11 7HB 02920 353917 flatholmproject@cardiff.gov.uk Further information on the island can be found at: www.cardiff.gov.uk/flatholm

DES At the Cardigan bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC). Assist in all aspects of work. Learn about the marine wildlife in Cardigan Bay & raise awareness through interpretation centre, assist with admin, events organisation, fundraising & contributing to research & education programmes concerning the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay. Main focus of CBMWC current research is the photo-identification of the bottlenose dolphins. Gain valuable skills & experience essential for a career in the env conservation. BUT No experience necessary, but interest in marine wildlife, enthusiasm, willingness to work hard & as a team member advantage. ASK www.cbmwc.org volunteer@cbmwc.org 01545 560032

Canoe Safari Operator Support canoe safari operation: setting out/clearing away & returning canoes, equipment & vehicle to & from maintenance yard. Greet customers & provide basic canoe instruction, ensure H&S strictly adhered to. BUT Desirable: BCU Level 2 qual or similar, First Aid Cert, life saving qual. Must be confident with excellent spoken communication & customer care skills. Previous experience of canoeing & working in a visitor attraction or similar.

Bicycle Trail & Pond Dipping Operator Ensure areas are properly set up, greet visitors, provide instruction & advice on riding the bicycles, ensure bikes are safe to use, checked between use, cleaned & maintained as necessary. Explain how to engage in pond dipping activity & provide information/encourage learning. Clear & lock up at end of day. Ensure H&S obligations met. BUT Cycle Proficiency & First Aid Certs. Confident with excellent spoken communication skills & customer care, experience of working in visitor attraction or similar with young people. Able to use own initiative & take responsibility when dealing with the public. Both: PAY in house training. Seasonal: weekends during holiday periods & weekends plus weekdays during school holidays. ASK Nigel Williams or Eleanor Keatley 01552 741087

DES 1+ day’s commitment. Ongoing all year, weekends only in winter. To engage visitors & provide information about the red kites & other birds & wildlife seen at the site. Working in a small, friendly team, opportunity meet people & inspire them about birds, & to gain experience of partnership working – Welsh Kite Trust, Forestry Commission Wales & RSPB are working together on this scheme. Your time & skills could make a real difference to the work of the RSPB & it would be great if you could join us. BUT General knowledge & interest in birds & wildlife an advantage, but training given. Outgoing personality, with tact & diplomacy; able to engage visitors in conversation. ASK Joe Hawthorne, SPBO Mid Wales, c / o Forestry Commission, Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Ceredigion SY23 3AB 07843363707 joe.hawthorne@rspb.org.uk

DES 1 day per week, ongoing. To assist staff & other vols running recruitment & information stands at supermarkets, garden centres & shows. Recruiting members provides support for the RSPB valuable conservation work. Opportunity to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds, & to work as part of a small friendly team. We can help you gain skills & give you a valuable insight into our work. BUT Good at talking to the public, with a friendly outgoing nature & ability to enthuse people about our work. Know, or willing to learn about, the benefits of RSPB membership. Able to stand for long periods & carry membership materials. Car owner willing to travel to venues around the area. ASK Caroline deCarle, RSPB, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA 01654 700222 Fax: 01654 700333 caroline.decarle@rspb.org.uk

Café / Catering Assistant Half a day – 1 day per week. The café is a popular facility within the reserve & offers a chance to meet & work with our visitors & to help provide a very important service. We need people to bring new ideas & eyes to a working café. Staffing café; serving members of the public, washing up by machine, assisting in efficient running of the café. Training in food hygiene & catering & a chance to enjoy free birdwatching at this excellent site! BUT To enjoy working with people. Good customer care skills. Basic food hygiene an advantage but not essential. Clean & tidy appearance & pleasant manner as duties incl face-to-face contact with the public.

Membership Recruiter 1 day a week. To assist staff & other vols running recruitment & information stands in the Visitor Centre. Recruiting members provides support for the RSPB valuable conservation work. Opportunity to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds, & to work as part of a small friendly team. BUT Good at talking to the public, with a friendly outgoing nature & ability to enthuse people about our work. Know, or willing to learn about, the benefits of RSPB membership. Able to stand for long periods.

Reception & Retail Assistants 1 day or 2 half days, hours to suit. Ensure all visitors have a pleasurable & interesting time! We aim to meet & greet all visitors to the reserves. Duties incl meeting the public, handling money & stock. RSPB shops & catalogues raise nearly 10% of our income. By volunteering in our shop you will help us present the RSPB in a friendly & professional manner. This will increase both the visitor’s enjoyment & our income. Opportunity to meet people, gain new skills & assist the work of the RSPB. Opportunity to help our customers & gain an insight into the operation of a shop in the tourism field. BUT To enjoy working with the public, be accurate & reliable at handling money & stock. Customer care is an important aspect; previous retail experience useful but not essential as full training given.

Handyman Flexible commitment, but 1 day per week desirable. Assist us with day to day light maintenance. To work as part of the reserve team& learn more about the reserve & build up skills. Excellent opportunity to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation. BUT Enthusiasm & an interest in conservation essential. Good level of fitness & DIY skills to help carry out minor repairs & maintenance. Up to date tetanus injection & enjoy working in a team. More information about the above positions from Jonathan S Cook at the ASK details below, & JonathanS.Cook@rspb.org.uk

Guided Walks Leader (For Family & Young People Events) 1 or 2 days per year, could incl early mornings. To facilitate the smooth running of our guided walks programme & ensure all att4endees enjoy themselves. Opportunity to learn more about the reserve, enjoy the great outdoors & meet many people of different ages, backgrounds & knowledge levels. Some walks involve leading groups onto parts of the reserve not usually open to the public. BUT Good natural history knowledge, a desire to help people & enthusiasm! Outgoing personality with reasonable knowledge of wildlife & good communication skills.

Community & Education Programme Assistant Half day per week, during school terms / flexible. Educating the next generation about the wonders of the natural world around them is becoming increasingly important. We want to be able to provide an educational programme that will inspire children about the Wetlands & the birds & animals that live there. This is your opportunity to provide hundreds of children with an introduction to the natural world through talks & fun activities BUT Good communication skills, enthusiasm for birds & wildlife. No need to be an expert, we can provide bird ID training. More information about the 2 above positions from Jonathan Jones at the ASK details below, & JonathanJones@rspb.org.uk

Administrative / Clerical Assistant One half day per week. Assist staff with day-to-day admin; filing, checking leaflets & stationary; answering phone; opening / despatching mail; some computer / keyboard work. Opportunity to contribute to the effectiveness of RSPB work, meet new people & gain new skills. BUT Good admin skills, incl basic computer literacy. Good communication skills. Interest in conservation issues useful but not essential. More information about the 2 above positions from Lorraine Leicester at the ASK details below, & Lorraine.Leicester@rspb.org.uk All positions: The RSPB is an active & exciting conservation charity, the largest in Europe! We can help you gain skills & give you a valuable insight into our work Your time & skills could make a real difference to our work & it would be great if you could join us. PAY 0 Appropriate training & expenses ASK Wales Headquarters, The RSPB, Sutherland House, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB 029 2035 3000

DES One half day to 1 day per week. We have an increasing amount of office work & really need additional support. You will be supporting the dept assistants with reception & office duties, incl answering the phone, opening / despatching mail; computer / keyboard work & other office tasks as required. Opportunity to contribute to the effectiveness of our work in a team env. Gain skills & a valuable insight into the work of the largest conservation charity in Europe. BUT Used to dealing with people & working within a team env. Friendly phone manner essential, computer skills an advantage. Interest in conservation issues useful but not essential. ASK Vera McCarthy, Wales Headquarters, The RSPB, Sutherland House, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB 029 2035 3000 Vera.McCarthy@rspb.org.uk

DES One day per week, flexible. Assist the Marketing Team with a variety of tasks incl the production of mailings using MailMerge, event organisation, filing, record keeping, photocopying & undertaking some Internet research. Establish & manage databases. Opportunity to contribute to the effectiveness of our work, meet new people & gain experience, to develop systems & work independently as well as part of an exciting & expanding team. Gain skills & a valuable insight into the work of the largest conservation charity in Europe. BUT Self-motivated with ‘can do’ attitude & secretarial skills & experience (incl computer literacy); knowledge of Excel; confidence in using the Internet & Outlook. Accuracy & attention to detail. Interest in conservation issues useful but not essential, whereas a sense of humour is!. ASK Michele Hunt, South Wales Regional Office, The RSPB, Second Floor, Sutherland House, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB 029 2035 3000 Fax: 2035 3017 michele.hunt@rspb.org.uk

PAY 0 Appropriate training & expenses FOR RSPB DES Flexible commitment, but min half day per week desirable. Assist us with day to day light maintenance. To work as part of the reserve team& learn more about our conservation work & build up skills & experience. Excellent opportunity to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation. Gain skills & a valuable insight into the work of the largest conservation charity in Europe. Your time & skills could make a real difference to our work & it would be great if you could join us. BUT A variety of practical skills; ability to work on your own as well as part of a team; up to date tetanus injection. ASK Michael Duckham, Conway RSPB Nature Reserve, Llandudno Junction LL31 9XZ 01492 584091 Michael.Duckham@rspb.org.uk

DES 19/4/08-31/07/08. 1 or more days. Meet & greet visitors & provide information about the stunning chough & why they are special in Wales. Recruiting non-members is crucial to the work we are trying to achieve, so we would ask you to mention supporting us in this way. Gain skills & a valuable insight into the work of the largest conservation charity in Europe. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Wales making this a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness of the chough. You will become part of a small friendly team, working alongside like-minded people. Visitors should leave with some knowledge of the chough as well as feeling inspired, enthusiastic & with positive feelings towards the RSPB. BUT Friendly personality & able to initiate conservations with members of the public. ASK Rebecca Clews, Conway RSPB Nature Reserve, Llandudno Junction LL31 9XZ 01492 584091 Direct Dial: 562163 rebecca.clews@rspb.org.uk

DES April to Aug. 1 or more days. Meet & greet visitors & provide information about the peregrines & why they are special . Recruiting non-members is crucial to the work we are trying to achieve, so we would ask you to mention supporting us in this way. Gain skills & a valuable insight into the work of the largest conservation charity in Europe. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wales making this a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness of the chough. You will become part of a small friendly team, working alongside like-minded people. Visitors should leave with some knowledge of peregrines as well as feeling inspired, enthusiastic & with positive feelings towards the RSPB. BUT Friendly personality & able to initiate conservations with members of the public. ASK Rebecca Clews, Conway RSPB Nature Reserve, Llandudno Junction LL31 9XZ 01492 584091 rebecca.clews@rspb.org.uk

Volunteer Opportunities with The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. An ideal opportunity for anyone wanting to pursue a career in conservation, with the possibility of getting involved in practical conservation tasks, events, and education activities. For more information visit www.welshwildlife.org or telephone 01656 724100.

unable to arrange training events, support Rangers working in Scotland by working on their behalf in discussions with Government, National Agencies and other NGO’s, organise national gatherings and raise thousands of pounds of sponsorship to support Rangers in other countries, providing vital training and equipment enabling them to carry out their duties. SCRA has just announced the implementation of its Three Year Development Plan, a plan which has valued the volunteer input of SCRA members at more than £50,000 over three years, almost certainly an underestimate.

Last year, SCRA undertook several surveys and gained a comprehensive picture of what it was like to work as a Ranger in Scotland. Unsurprisingly, like many areas of conservation work, Rangers spend a significant amount of time volunteering before they gain employment; in fact, the survey suggested that most Rangers spent more than 6 months, and many more than a year volunteering before they started work as a Ranger.

Bob Reid, a Ranger with North Lanarkshire Council as well as an active member of SCRA Council and former SCRA Chair, has been working on the North Lanarkshire Scramble and Quad bike project. The value of volunteering to the project in the past year has been placed at £70,000 using the Volunteer Impact Assessment kit developed by Volunteer Scotland – a huge value when used as match funding in grant applications. Bob said ‘The challenges presented to us were significant, from persuading parents that their time was of value, and allowing them to realise that they were volunteers, to accessing training and support for our volunteers. Now, we have clear guidelines published on what the club offers volunteers in terms of support and the training we offer helps them to develop skills which they then use in other areas of their lives.’. The project was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2007, and the project continues to set an example of best practice for others to follow in Scotland and around the UK.

The dedication, enthusiasm and passion that volunteers demonstrate through work with interests in specific projects, through to giving up their time to ensure that the voice of the Scottish Ranger is heard at all levels, is of immeasurable value and it is vital that the work of volunteers is recognised and supported and, applauded.

For more information please contact; Niall@scra-online.co.uk, SCRA Chair Or see: www.scra-online.co.uk www.nlsqbc.com

DES Community gp working in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to promote & improve Cumbernauld Glen Wildlife Reserve. FCG fundraises for money to support projects such as creating a wildflower meadow, holding events or installing waymarkers. Responsible for handling money coming in & out of the gp & keeping financial records. Role need not take up very much time, but there are opportunities to get more involved in other practical work of the gp if you want. BUT Able to handle figures, computerate & with a little free time to devote to the gp. Previous experience with finances or fundraising a bonus, but not necessary. ASK Karen Morrison, Chair, 01236 728841 k.v.Morrison@strath.ac.uk

PAY 0 Transport from Inverness library, drinks & biscuits provided FOR BTCV SCOTLAND NORTH

DES Opportunity to join projects in & around Inverness, the Highlands & Islands. You will receive instruction & training in various practical tasks, such as vegetation management, drystone walling, path construction, wildlife garden maintenance. BUT Open to any person interested in joining us to carry out practical outdoor work for the benefit of the env & community, on a vol basis. 14+ years of age to join the Highland Youth Programme, & work with us on practical projects. ASK Chat: Keith Locke, 01463 811 560 k.locke@btcv.org.uk

DES Trees for Life focus on natural regeneration of the Caledonian Forest. Only 1% of the original forest remains & overgrazing prevents most natural regeneration. TFL plants trees & fosters the growth of naturally regenerating seedlings. Vols are invited for work weeks every year to help restore the natural env, spend a week amongst forests, rivers & mountains & learn about ecological restoration. Work incl tree planting, felling non-native trees, wetland restoration & wildlife & vegetation surveys. Most days run 9 – 5 with Wednesdays set aside for relaxation. Work weeks run from March 1 – May 24 & August 30 – November 1. BUT *a minimum contribution of £90 is required from non-members. Discount for unwaged. Reasonable physical fitness (gentler nursery weeks an alternative) 18+ years. No previous experience required. ASK 01309 691292 www.treesforlife.org.uk

DES Come & get conservation work experience on our network of wildlife reserves. You will undertake a wide variety of practical conservation tasks on a variety of sites incl woodland management, habitat creation, cside woodwork, fencing, footpath construction & maintenance & many others. *Up to 52 weeks of work experience & training together with travel payments. We can provide certified Lantra training for participants. BUT Must be willing to work outdoors & be prepared to work regardless of the season or weather. Prepared to work as part of a team. Under 26 & willing to volunteer for 30 hpw for 3+ months. ASK Peter Gilbert, 0131 312 4732 pgilbert@swt.org.uk

DES Excellent opportunity for a graduate, placement student or person seeking work experience in env ed & events. Become an integral part of the planning team for the Newhailes Environment Fair 2008, an exciting green event attracting c1000 visitors. Work closely with the ranger to deliver env education & guided walks to schools, the public & community gps. Ideally available mid March to mid June to cover event & main schools season. BUT Able to work under own initiative & good communication skills essential, people person. Must be 18 – 25 years old, available 30 hpw for 3+ mths & resident in Scotland. ASK Hannah Levene hlevene@nts.org.uk 08444 932124

BE4 start 31 March LOC Handa Island Wildlife Reserve, West Sutherland, Highland Scotland

PAY travel expenses to & from the island. Free accom. FOR SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST

DES Ideally from 31st March to 29th August, but key mths are May, June & July. Assisting with seabird monitoring, maintenance of the islands footpaths, buildings & other infrastructure, & providing a welcome service for visitors. Excellent opportunity for someone seeking experience in rangering work. ASK Chat or application form contact Mark Foxwell 01463 811497 mfoxwell@swt.org.uk

BE4 29/2/08 LOC St Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve & St Abb’s Head NNR

DES Late March / early April 08 to late Sept 08. An excellent opportunity to gain valuable skills & experience of nature conservation of the marine & coastal envs. Would suit recent graduate, placement student or someone starting a career in conservation. Work closely with the St Abbs Ranger Service delivering outputs on a range of projects incl env education & interpretation, ecological monitoring & practical management. BUT Desirable attributes: a rel qual, interest in & knowledge of maritime wildlife; some experience in key areas of position; a driving licence. Essential attributes: must be a people person, there is a lot of interaction with the public. ASK Liza Cole lcole@nts.org.uk 018907 71443. More information on the VMR & NNR go to www.marine-reserve.co.uk & www.nts.org.uk

DES Great opportunity to learn about local dolphin population & other marine wildlife. Gain real & useful conservation & management skills. Take part in free wildlife guide training. Assist with all aspects of running the Programme, a wildlife tourism partnership that provides a code of conduct, training & educational materials for responsible wildlife tour boats in Moray Firth. Admin & filing; website development; newsletter production; promotion & marketing; liaising with the media; writing articles; designing educational materials; guiding on wildlife tour boats; conducting customer research & collecting dolphin & other wildlife sightings data. Flexible hrs & period of commitment. BUT Interest in any of the following: wildlife, marine biology, conservation, env management, env education, nature/eco-tourism. Some rel educational background or work experience helpful & good admin, IT & organisational skills essential. Ideally local person with own transport. ASK Dr Deborah Benham, Project Officer 07921 106144 projectofficer@dolphinspace.org

DES Maintaining on site presence to prevent disturbance of breeding peregrines. Staffing a small visitor centre with CCTV monitor showing nest. Work alongside ranger, assisting with wildlife monitoring, guided walks & footpath maintenance. BUT 1+ week between April & July. Rel qual / experience pref. Hill-walking experience necessary. Happy being in a remote loc. ASK Dan Watson 01683 222714 dwatson@nts.org.uk

PAY training, equipment, tools, travel expenses, transport to & from site FOR BTCV SCOTLAND

DES Help with conservation tasks on Scottish WT reserves. Get fit & do your bit! Improve your own overall wellbeing & local env & have some fun. BUT No previous experience or skills required. ASK Alyson Hunter 01236 700457

DES Project detail to be discussed but should add to present information on this locally & nationally endangered native species. Excellent opportunity for thesis/dissertation. Expenses & research fund available. BUT Ability for lone working, motivated & energetic. Good time manager & able to prioritise & forward plan. Ability to manage small budget advantage. Strong interest in conservation & native species useful. Own car advantage. ASK Shona 01292 520929 shonaredsquirrel@btconnect.com

PAY full training & out of pocket expenses FOR WHALE & DOLPHIN CONSERVATION SOCIETY

DES Assist with running the WDCS shop incl serving customers, stocking shelves & occasionally cashing up. Answer customer questions. BUT Experience of dealing with members of the public & working in a shop. Numeracy & communication skills, good interpersonal skills, an interest in Marine Mammals. Methodical approach with attention to detail, flexible approach, ability to work on own initiative & ability to work effectively as part of a team.

BE4 ? LOC Central Scotland, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife, Borders & Tayside

DES We offer training & practical work experience to unemployed people on our reserves throughout Scotland. Chainsaw, Clearing Saw, Brushcutting & Strimming, Fencing, Footpath Construction, Tree Planting & other rural skills are taught as Lantra Qualifications. BUT Registered as unemployed, aged 18 or over & interested in outdoor work. ASK Send SAE to: Peter Gilbert, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cramond House, Cramond Glebe Road, Edinburgh 0131 3124732 (Direct Line) email: pgilbert@swt.org.uk www.swt.org.uk

Would you like to help your local environment and get fit at the same time? With BTCV Green Gym you can do both, by joining us in our weekly afternoon sessions of practical conservation work. It's free to join in. For more details email/ call Ebony: 01463 811560 e.reid@btcv.org.uk

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park run a programme of activities for volunteers and there’s sure to be something that suits you. 100% of our Volunteers said they would recommend volunteering to others! To find out more contact Zoe Morris, Volunteer Development Officer, 01389 722600 or email zoe.morris@lochlomond-trossachs.org

We are looking for volunteers to join our friendly team of conservation volunteers in a wide variety of projects in and around Aberdeen. No previous experience is required - all you need to bring along is the wish to work outdoors and meet new people! Please contact Ullie 01224 724884/ u.wenzel@btcv.org.uk

HWDT is a charity dedicated to the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoise. During the summer months we encourage people to participate in visual and acoustic surveys aboard our research yacht. For more information please see www.hwdt.org or contact Morven Summers at volunteercoordinator@hwdt.org or 01688 302620

Wildlife data management volunteers needed. We are a small charity collating biodiversity data and providing a data to the public, local authorities and conservation bodies. Help is needed in sorting, checking and processing biodiversity records – training provided. We are based at Vogrie Country Park near Gorebridge, Edinburgh. Interested? Contact

sara@lothianwildlife.co.uk

Help restore the Caledonian Forest! Volunteer on one of Trees for Life's conservation Work Weeks in the Scottish Highlands and make a difference by carrying out essential for forest restoration work - tree planting, seed collecting, fence removal and more! Contact us on 01309 691292 or see www.treesforlife.org.uk for more information.

improving the areas where they live and work. We tackle social exclusion and encourage active citizenship by providing opportunities for people of all ages and background to volunteer. Based in Birmingham and Bristol, we deliver a wide range of community-focused environmental projects, ranging from composting through cleaning up parks to growing local food.

Encouraging and supporting people to choose healthier lifestyles is an increasingly important part of CSV Environment’s work, with a strong focus on helping participants to take part in gardening, clean-ups, cycling and other ways to get active in their local environment.

The project offers garden maintenance and make-over work for older residents of south Bristol, and aspires to provide a support network able to sign-post other services and opportunities for older people. We feel that the project is less about gardens and more about people feeling included and valued. We have been able to offer trips to garden centres and run a very popular flower arranging group, meeting on a weekly basis. Feed back suggests that the majority of our clients find this an invaluable service, and they are particularly positive about the role of young volunteers who work on the project. We are now looking to develop the service to cover all areas of Bristol over the next few years.

This Birmingham-based project aims to open up cycling as an option for commuting to work and school, developing an introductory programme for new and returning cyclists. Through overcoming the barriers that many people face to participation in regular cycling, the project helps participants to increase their physical activity levels and reduce their risk of obesity. A range of park-based events have been held, at which people were able to have a go at cycling, with an instructor on hand to give advice. They could also have their bikes checked for safety, compete in agility tests, join led rides to shops and green spaces, and get lots of information about cycling in Birmingham. Volunteer ride leaders were an important part of each event, and John Lane from City Can Cycle was a huge support to the project, providing a mobile workshop on the day as well as 2 ‘families’ of bikes for community use. In addition, we are looking to build a network of ‘cycling buddies’, who can inspire and support others in getting back on their bikes.

Pursuing the development of City Can Cycle continues to be an interesting and rewarding challenge. With ever increasing interest from local authorities and charities this initiative has led me to work alongside dedicated professionals and motivated volunteers. The support we have enjoyed from CSV has been crucial.

DES Unusually varied conservation volunteering. Choose from field, leadership, education, publicity, admin, rural & urban. Ideal working env in & around Lake District NPA. Previous officers have subsequently developed careers in cside management. BUT Enthusiasm most useful. ASK R.Bryers@btcv.org.uk 01539 742612

PAY Travel expenses covered & on the job training FOR FRIENDS OF THE LAKE DISTRICT

DES Various outdoor activities at different pieces of land owned by FLD, from walling to tree planting, thistle bashing & bracken removal. BUT Vols of all skills levels are welcome to come along. As long as you are able to carry out light physical work we can train you in the skills you need on the day. ASK Cassie Nelson, 01539 720788 cassie-nelson@fld.org.uk

PAY up to £75 per week living/travel reimbursement. FOR LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST*

DES Accredited qual & experience to be gained. Assist in delivery of education programmes to schools & other gps. Assist in preparation, implementation & evaluation of workshop programmes & maintenance of props & equipment. 6 mth placement, 30 hpw. *in partnership with BTCV & National Grid. BUT Must be passionate about the env & education. Age 16 – 25. Able to work as part of a team, work under pressure, good IT skills, positive & pleasant disposition. Excellent communication skills incl writing & listening. ASK Su Buck or Jenny Hall 01772 751110 education@lancswt.org.uk

Volunteering makes a real difference for FLD, some of our work is only possible because of help received from volunteers. There are many different ways which you can contribute from practical work like tree planting or walling to leading walks or working in the office. Please visit www.fld.org.uk/info/volunteering.htm for more information.

Kerridge Ridge Ingersley Vale Countryside Heritage Project,, Savio House Ingersley Road, Bollington, Cheshire SK10 5RW. Tel 01625 560475. KRIV volunteers meet every Friday to take part in a variety of conservation tasks. If you would like to take part contact Nick or Richard at the KRIV office. View the website www.kriv.org.uk for the volunteer training programme.

Europe's most successful conservation movement would love to hear from you. Learn new skills, meet new people, work in amazing landscapes. Join wardens on coastal properties in Morecambe Bay, the Wirral of Formby, or help maintain countryside properties in Cheshire and the Lake District. Further information from

nw.volunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk or 01619254345

representing professionals engaged in countryside and urban greenspace management throughout England and Wales, offers to volunteers the same thing that it offers to all members, networking, recognition, information, Continuing Professional Development, but all at a special rate. All CMA officers are volunteers and do their CMA roles in their spare time. There is always the opportunity for people volunteering in the countryside and environment sector to also volunteer for these roles so long as they meet the Person Specification for the vacant role.

Mike Anderson, CMA Secretary says ‘I honestly believe that without my involvement on the National Executive for the CMA I would not now be a greenspace consultant, or otherwise have been in a position to become a Head of Service. Volunteering with CMA has given me the opportunity to develop skills in strategy and policy, report writing, etc that are essential for career progression and weren't forthcoming from my previous post as a country park officer’.

CMA Administration can be contacted during normal office hours, and an answerphone is available at other times. Telephone: 01245 424116 Email: cma@writtle.ac.uk

Bradford Cathedral Centre's "Green-the-City" project is looking for general volunteers to help with practical conservation projects across the city. We manage a network of urban green space for different agencies and communities in Bradford, West Yorkshire and are currently upgrading management on these sites to achieve Local Nature Reserve status. The work is creative, fun and provides many opportunities to learn new skills and work with like-minded people. (Travel and lunch expenses paid). Volunteers who would also like to help with publicity/marketing and fund-raising are also most welcome to apply.

For further information or an application form please contact: Peter Boyd, Manager, Green-the-City/Env Projects Dept., Bradford Cathedral Centre Ltd, Captain St., Bradford BD1 4EL Tel: 01274. 308707

DES Spend 6 mths gaining invaluable experience. 30 hpw. 3 positions: Environmental Education Assistant, Green Gym & Walking the Way to Health Project Assistant & Sustainability Education Assistant / Green Gym & Walking the Way to Health Project Assistant. Also work towards the Platinum level of the Youth Achievement Award. BUT Young people with a passion for the env, aged between 16 & 25. Desirable: experience of working with young people & adults from a cross section of the community, passionate about the env with an interest in current env issues & healthy lifestyles, ability to work to a high standard, enthusiastic & amenable personality, computerate, good presentation skills, current driving licence & own transport. ASK Info: Sarah Dinning, Education Co-ordinator 0191 5364873 Apply: Application pack from Rebecca Harvey 0191 4281144 www.groundwork-stan.org.uk

DES Assist in delivery of vocational training in Environmental Conservation & developing basic skills in numeracy & literacy to learners from Wakefield College, 16 – 18 years old. Provide you with valuable experience nationally recognised by employers in the fields of conservation / env. Gain skills in practical conservation, develop capacity to lead tasks in this field & assist in training young learners for a career in this or related fields. Able to attend BTCV training courses. Work with young people, some with learning &/or behavioural difficulties. BUT 3+ dpw. CRB check will be required. Current driving licence desirable. ASK B.Minhinnick@btcv.org.uk

DES Join ever-expanding Reserves Taskforce. The Taskforce undertake practical conservation work on the Trusts 25 nature reserves covering habitats incl ancient & plantation woodland, wetland, grassland & heath. For those wanting to pursue a career in nature conservation the Taskforce provides training in practical conservation management. It offers opportunities to improve identification skills through survey & monitoring work & habitat mapping through GIS & GPS training. Also the possibility of access to vocational quals & invaluable work experience through our Volunteer Reserves Officer scheme. BUT General level of fitness & an interest in wildlife, no time commitment is needed apart from a full day when out on task. Volunteer Reserves Officer positions are advertised when available & are subject to interview. ASK scharlton@durhamwt.co.uk 01915843112

Event Volunteers Beside annual programme of events, Trust also gets invited to many local fayres & fetes each year. Become part of a small team to promote the Trust as these events

Fundraising Volunteers Help raise vital funds for the Trust. For example holding a coffee morning, taking collection boxes to local shops, getting your company involved in raising funds, researching outlets for sale of Trust merchandise etc. BUT Enthusiastic & dedicated.

Reserve Advisory Group Group meetings of local residents & other interested gps, who meet to discuss & influence how the Trust manages each of it’s nine nature reserves. Go along & find out how the Trust manages each reserve, hear the issues & be part of the decision making process. Info: Nature Reserves Manager 0114 2634335

Community Work Days Opportunity to join a project, spend the day doing practical conservation work. Members receive details in mailings. Info: Sites Officer 0114 2634335

Volunteer Land Management Assistant (ref: SitesV1) Assist in practical management of reserves in Sheffield & Peak District incl delivery of the Coalfield Heathlands Project. Assist in delivery of management plans focusing on practical works, but incl opportunities for survey & monitoring & community liaison. Would suit someone with experience in a range of practical conservation work, incl fencing, access work & basic construction or someone wishing to gain experience. BUT Full clean driving licence & basic IT skills desirable. Current first aid cert & supervision skills advantage. Chat: Brendan Whittram 0114 2634335

Volunteer Education Assistant Assist the education team to deliver env education projects & interpretation work on Nature Reserves & support education visits to schools.

Volunteer Assistant Ecologist Work with the Ecology team to carry out botanical & zoological surveys of urban & rural sites, assist with ecological monitoring programme & in preparation of survey reports & transfer of data onto GIS.

Volunteer Nature Reserves Assistant Assist in management of 9 new nature reserves. With the management plans for each reserve, incl surveying & monitoring, community liaison & practical conservation work.

Volunteer Community Wildlife Ranger Within the Coalfield Heath Project Team & assist in delivering a programme of events, education, interpretation & practical tasks across 19 sites in South & West Yorkshire. Incl assisting with management planning, liaising with partners & local communities, managing contracts & practical work on sites.

Volunteer Coalfield Heathland Land Management Assistant Assist in planning & delivery of management work on the project. Inc assisting with management planning, liaising with partners & local communities, managing contracts & practical work on sites.

Volunteering for 16 – 25 year olds Variety of opportunities, evening & weekend sessions available. One project involves gps undertaking practical conservation tasks on Blacka Moor Nature Reserve. www.wildvolunteering.com All: PAY 0 ASK www.wildsheffield.com Claire Little, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, 37 Stafford Road, Sheffield S2 2SF volunteering@wildsheffield.com 0114 2634335

DES Valuable experience & training that will help you start a career in conservation & env work. Contribute to & develop new ideas for env education activities. Delivering education work to schools & youth gps incl Youth ACE Volunteering project for 13 to 18 year olds. Help contribute to BTCV York’s publicity & fundraising campaigns through press releases, poster campaigns, attending local events & completing grant applications. Training provided in all aspects of the role. ASK Rachel or Naomi 01904 644300 york@btcv.org.uk

DES Undertake surveys of butterflies within the parkland as part of a team of butterfly transect surveyors. Undertake surveys along a specific transect. Attend training sessions, liaise with visitors in the park about the role. BUT Work in compliance with the Trust’s H&S Policy at all times. All these arrangements are binding in honour only & not intended to be legally binding. ASK Michael Warrington (Vol Coordinator) 01924 863892 ext 100 Jago Moles (Parkland Ranger) 01924 866841

Immerse yourself in the Tyne Catchment. Play an important role in river quality surveys and organising River Watch Events. For those with a passion for the aquatic environment and who wish to make a difference, it offers an insight into freshwater ecology, conservation and community action. Activities are varied. Tel: 01434 611817, email: c.gibson@tyneriverstrust.org or visit: www.tyneriverstrust.org

BTCV North Yorkshire has 3 vacancies for full time residential Volunteer Officers at their office in Well, near Bedale. With shared accommodation available at subsidised rates. Great chance to gain valuable skills in conservation. Commitment of 6-9 months and over 21 with clean driving licence held for over 2 years. Anne Lawrence 01677 470821 a.lawrence@btcv.org.uk

Want to develop your volunteer leadership, practical conservation, project planning skills and pick up some quality training? (and have a laugh on the way?) We are looking for a Wildlife Garden Volunteer Officer for minimum 3 days per week for at least 6 months. Contact Stuart Harris 0113 2742335 S.harris@btcv.org.uk

PAY 0 Travelling expenses & basic ongoing training FOR DERBYSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

DES Press monitoring / cuttings; compile simple press releases for local group talks / activities & occasionally other event s i.e. guided walks or education events. A schedule is produced to cover the local group activities. File & log press releases generated by other members of staff. Ensure Reception has copies of all press releases sent. Occasionally produce posters in MS Publisher. Use database to mail leaflets & other publications as appropriate. Help prepare temp displays on Velcro boards for use in libraries, visitor centres etc; help with research into funding opportunities. Occasional routine admin tasks. BUT Friendly, happy to undertake a range of tasks & work as part of a small team. Good communication skills a must. ASK Jane Proctor, Marketing & Resource Development Manager, 01773 881193 jproctor@derbyshirewt.co.uk Brief CV to: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, East Mill, Bridge Foot, Belper DE56 1XH

Countryside Jobs Service Weekly

Special Edition 18 February 2008


	Countryside Jobs Service Weekly Special Edition 18 February 2008
Endorsed by both the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association & the Countryside Management Association