If you can spare a day a month, the Snowdonia Society is one of a number of organisations in north Wales that provide opportunities for volunteering.

The society has recently launched its Conservation Snowdonia project, which builds upon its established and award-winning volunteering programme, but offers a broader range of opportunities.

The more traditional work, such as litter picking, rhododendron clearance and footpath upkeep are still provided, but activities this autumn (2007) have also included helping with mammal surveys, acorn collecting - where eight volunteers collected 79kg in just a few hours - and a composting training day at the society's centre at Tŷ Hyll (The Ugly House), near Betws-y-Coed.

Volunteers can be any age and come from all walks of life. The society has over 100 registered volunteers, with many travelling many miles to help out.

Brian and Fran Cope who regularly travel from Gloucestershire, said: "We saw a leaflet whilst on holiday, and we thought we'd join the Society, though thought it too far to do any work, but then we did a beach clean and it developed from there. How can you better it? Peace and quiet - it's lovely."

Retired teacher Eileen Evans from Llanrwst, who is one of the society's long-term gardening volunteers, expressed what many say about volunteering: "It's not all about work. It's as much a social thing as it is about conserving Snowdonia."

Eileen also stressed how much volunteers contribute to wider society: "Volunteering has a much more far-reaching effect than is realised: people seeing volunteers picking litter will think of their own responsibilities and that of their children."

The society's volunteer coordinator Bea Kelsall (left) is also keen to get more communities involved.

"One of the big challenges of Conservation Snowdonia is to become more involved with communities, to help them enhance their local places, and so any approaches or ideas are more than welcome," Bea explained.

The best, most sustainable projects, she said, are those that come from motivated people within the communities themselves.

Dan James, the society's operations director, says: "Community groups are often good at seeing worthy projects, but often lack the expertise and manpower to see them through, and that's where we can help - but it needs motivated individuals from these communities to get in touch with us. It needs momentum to spread the message."

One such community-driven project has recently provided a village in the heart of Snowdonia with some environmental benefits. Residents in Dolwyddelan joined forces with the society to create an award-winning community garden at the railway station, and a landscaped lay-by on the A470 at Pont Arenig.

Local resident and Conwy councillor Liz Roberts, said: "Working alongside the Snowdonia Society we have achieved some major improvements, but the process has also become a forum to bring people of all ages together in the village, to share and make decisions."

Conservation Snowdonia also provides training for long-term volunteers to become conservation leaders, and for countryside management students wishing to gain practical experience.

Anyone interested in volunteering or initiating a community project should contact Bea Kelsall (01690 720287, volunteer@snowdonia-society.org.uk). The society will, subject to certain conditions, reimburse volunteers' travelling expenses.

By Jonathan Neale