Practical Conservation Volunteer

Practical conservation volunteers play an important part in our mission protect and restore wildlife in Shropshire by helping us look after our 40+ nature reserves across the county. 

Volunteers work alongside our Reserves Officers in regular work parties to carry out a wide range of habitat and reserve management tasks. This is a very physical role, and a great way to stay fit and keep active in a social environment. 

As a practical conservation volunteer, you will: 

• Undertake important habitat management work – everything from cutting scrub to help wildflowers, clearing out ponds for newts and dragonflies, to protecting ancient trees 
• Use hand tools such as loppers and bowsaws 
• Help us maintain fences, paths, visitor information and hides 
• Maintain and enhance important spaces for nature across the county, including heathland, upland grassland, traditional hay meadows, coppice woodlands, raised bogs and recolonised industrial sites. 

Practical conservation volunteers will enjoy:

• A chance to learn about our reserves and see how we are managing land for nature
• Opportunities to develop skills in conservation management
• Opportunities to engage with wildlife and nature
• Training and support in the use of specialist tools Role
• Support from the SWT Reserves team
• A chance to spend meaningful time outdoors in natural settings, which can support physical and mental wellbeing
• Volunteer social events 

About Shropshire Wildlife Trust

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is the only charitable organisation focused solely on nature conservation in this county. Ours is a beautiful county, but nature here has suffered decades of destruction, just as it has elsewhere.

We combine projects across Shropshire, including Telford & Wrekin, with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. We manage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9,000 members.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trust movement. There are 46 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. With 825,000 members The Wildlife Trusts are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the whole range of the UK's habitats and species.

Social profiles:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shropshire-wildlife-trust/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Shropshire-Wildlife-Trust/61573941734006/#
https://www.instagram.com/shropshirewildlifetrust
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNZuW3Fd8mNa-sUGsWJQdw

What skills do I need?

No prior experience is required for this role.

We are looking for people who:

• Are fit and active
• Are happy to work outdoors in all weather
• Are happy to carry out a variety of tasks, working as part of a team.

Any experience or knowledge you have around conservation, using tools or working outdoors would be very helpful, but is not essential.

You will be given full training in safe and effective use of relevant tools.

We’ll ask you to read and adhere to our safeguarding policy, health and safety policy, and our volunteer code of conduct. You’ll receive a copy of these when you apply.

At Shropshire Wildlife Trust, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone is welcome. If you’re worried you don’t have quite the right skills, might not be able to participate in all activities, or need any support or adjustments to the role, have a chat with us and we’ll do everything we can to help you volunteer. 

To find out more about our locations, parking, facilities and accessibility, please visit the nature reserves pages on our website. Free transport can be arranged via minibus from our office at Coleham Yard, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BT.

Unfortunately, we are not able to contribute to travel costs. 

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Work parties take place from 10am to 3.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. You don’t need to attend all sessions but ideally can contribute once a week. Friday work parties generally focus on sites around Telford, meeting on site. The work varies seasonally but will always include working outdoors in all weathers. Appropriate footwear and clothing is required.