Nature Features

The Lulworth Estate relies on volunteers to help collect information that contributes to the running and maintenance of the site, and Head Ranger of the Estate, Maddy Pfaff, says the type of people who volunteer is very varied.

Volunteers at work on the Estate

"The volunteers are really invaluable to us. We are a team of three who work at the Heritage Centre but we can't be out and about everyday.

"Lots of different people come to us with their spare time - some on work experience, others are retired, and we try to match up their skills with the work we have available."

And as well as the practical work on the Estate, there are also tasks such as the butterfly survey.

Maddy explains: "They take half an hour, and you walk around the site and mark down the number of different butterflies you see as you wonder along.

"So someone who turns up as a volunteer actually contributes to the conservation of the wider area."