How Volunteering Opens Doors to Conservation Careers in the UK

By Sue Searle, Principal Ecologist, Ecology Training UK Ltd.

A career in conservation is deeply rewarding, offering opportunities to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity, and make a lasting impact on natural ecosystems. I work with a range of students who find, through my advice, that volunteering is a great way to gain skills, meet people and try out organisations. Conservation employers like to see that you have gained experience and this is usually through volunteering.

Gaining Relevant Skills
Conservation work requires a variety of practical and technical skills that you cannot gain elsewhere. Volunteering gives individuals the opportunity to gain real-world experience in habitat management, wildlife surveying, environmental education, and species monitoring. Through these activities, volunteers can develop essential skills such as plant and animal identification, ecological surveying techniques, and habitat restoration methods.

A group of four people in a field with young trees — Conservation Volunteering (ETUK)

Making Connections, Showing Commitment
The conservation sector in the UK is fairly closely-knit, and establishing professional connections can be crucial for securing job opportunities. Volunteering provides the chance to meet professionals working in the field, attend workshops, and gain guidance from experienced conservationists. Building relationships with people already working in the industry can lead to job offers or recommendations when paid positions become available.

Employers in the conservation sector value a demonstrated commitment to environmental protection. Volunteering shows dedication to the cause, a passion for wildlife and nature, and a willingness to work for the public good, sometimes under challenging conditions. This is particularly important in entry-level positions, where employers seek candidates who have made the effort to gain practical experience.

Wide Range of Opportunities
Conservation volunteering roles are varied, allowing individuals to explore different aspects of the field. Whether your interest lies in working with animals, restoring habitats, or engaging with communities, there are countless opportunities to gain experience and understand where your passion truly lies. Do make sure that the volunteering you undertake is relevant to your chosen career path. Here are some examples of volunteering roles in the UK…

Wildlife Monitoring
Volunteering for wildlife surveys allows individuals to get involved in data collection and monitoring projects, essential for understanding species population trends. Tasks may include bird monitoring, amphibian surveys, butterfly counts, and bat monitoring. These experiences help volunteers develop species identification skills and an understanding of UK wildlife and ecosystems. You can get these experiences from Bat Conservation Trust, British Trust for Ornithology, Butterfly Conservation, The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, National Trust, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and many more. Of course CJS also has Volunteering positions on offer. See below for more details.

8 people in a woodland surrounding a pile of cleared invasive plant species — Conservation Volunteering (ETUK)

Habitat and Reserves Management
Habitat management volunteering often involves practical tasks such as tree planting, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration. This hands-on work is critical for improving biodiversity and maintaining the health of ecosystems. Volunteers might work in woodlands, heathlands, wetlands, or coastal areas, learning how to manage different habitats for wildlife. The big players for this sort of volunteering are The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, National Trust, TCV and your local council ranger service. Some have apprenticeships or regular work party days. You may also be aware of other local conservation groups or organisations where you can get these skills.

Environmental Education
Many conservation organisations in the UK offer volunteering roles that focus on environmental education, again The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and National Trust would be the big players here but there may be local education projects or Forest Schools where you can get experience. These roles involve working with schools, youth groups, and the public to raise awareness of wildlife, environmental issues and sustainability. This can be a great opportunity for those interested in combining conservation with public engagement and education. This is how I got into ecology and conservation myself.

Two people in a woodland looking at a map — Conservation Volunteering (ETUK)

Marine Conservation
Volunteering opportunities in marine conservation include beach cleans, surveying marine wildlife (such as seals, cetaceans, and seabirds), and working to protect coastal habitats. With the UK’s extensive coastline, marine conservation is an important and growing field, offering unique opportunities for those passionate about marine ecosystems. The Marine Conservation Society and local marine mammal rescue organisations are good to approach and there are also a lot of opportunities to do marine volunteering abroad.

Local Groups
Volunteering with local wildlife groups such as bat, mammal, and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) groups, offers unique opportunities to support species monitoring, habitat protection, and public awareness efforts in your area. These groups often conduct regular surveys to monitor local animals such as bat populations, small mammals, or reptiles and amphibians, and volunteers can gain experience of data collection, handling, and sometimes tagging or identifying species. Many groups also engage in habitat restoration or enhancement projects to improve conditions for native species, such as put up nest boxes, creating hibernation sites or improving wetland areas. With training provided, volunteers gain hands-on conservation skills, contribute to protecting local wildlife, and connect with a community of passionate nature enthusiasts.

Getting in touch
It is straightforward to apply for volunteering positions. Look up your local organisations as outlined above and explain to them what sort of experience you would like. Avoid taking opportunities in areas you are not interested in or will not want to do as a career.

Bear in mind that some groups are run by volunteers and they may be slow to respond so keep trying every few weeks. Once you have got your first volunteering opportunity you will find it easier to find others as you will get to know people. My advice would be to contact a number of organisations and see what they have on offer. Some only do events infrequently and others do them weekly.

Volunteering is an invaluable step for anyone considering a career in conservation. It provides a way to gain practical experience, develop essential skills, and to make meaningful connections with people in the field. Whether through wildlife monitoring, habitat management, or environmental education, volunteering can help you build a strong foundation for a career in conservation which employers will be looking for. By approaching the larger conservation charities, you can gain the valuable experience you need to make a positive impact on the environment whilst advancing your new career.