Wildlife volunteering

A Nature UK article by Sam Dixon, 14 July 2010

peregrine falcon chick being held ready for ringing

Help wildlife here in the UK and experience the difference you can make close at hand.

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is not only a rewarding way of giving back to wildlife, but can be a great way to meet wonderful likeminded people as Martin Hughes-Games experienced. For some, volunteering is also a valuable step into working with wildlife as a living. It provides unique experiences and an understanding of the environment that will impress future employers.

As one volunteer for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said, "I gained valuable skills and experience, which allowed me to successfully apply for my new role as Biodiversity Information Assistant."

Who to volunteer with

Volunteers take on different tasks from Bird ringing, dormouse housing and hedgehog fattening to coppicing and canal restoration.

If opportunities in your area are limited you could run your own litter pick or volunteer from home by taking part in survey.

If you specifically want to volunteer with a charitable organisation, look for their registered number on the Charity Commission website.

There are lots of organisations where volunteers take on numerous different tasks from bird ringing, dormouse housing and hedgehog fattening to coppicing and canal restoration. Larger organisations are likely to have a greater array of different tasks on offer but organisations of all sizes will be eager to use your skills.

Organisations need you, whatever your talents and whatever time you can spare

Volunteering is a great way to meet likeminded people.

With conservation funding under threat, now more than ever organisations desperately need your help to reach their targets for conserving British species and habitats. More than 40,000 people contribute to BTO surveys, providing an estimated £26m contribution annually, and for every paid member of staff, the RSPB have at least nine volunteers, without whom their work would be greatly diminished.

A passion for animals is just one of the attributes that organisations can put to use. Volunteers give projects the opportunity to make the most of an amazing array of skills in return for solid experience in the field.

Maybe you have experience handling animals or working with children; perhaps you know how to update websites or organise fundraisers; and there's always room for someone who knows a really good cake recipe!

As much or as little time that you can spare can make a real difference. A volunteer for the RSPB started with the simplest steps: "I visit the RSPB's Internet and intranet websites regularly for my own interest and to keep up-to-date with their news, using their feed system meaning I don't miss anything! I've also supported the Marine Bill and signed e-petitions via the website. So, I've been doing my bit without moving from my chair!"

And volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome. The Doonan family volunteered for Norfolk Wildlife Trust:"It's fun for all the family and exercise with a purpose. You can't learn to coppice with a Playstation!"

Finding a project

Look in your local library, find your local volunteering centre, ask your work if they run any volunteering schemes, or visit the Directgov volunteering or Do-it search pages and select "Animals".

Or if you have a better idea of the area you'd like to work in, why not visit some of these organisations' websites to find out more about opportunities available to you?