Not only is volunteering a great way of doing something worthwhile to help the environment, it also helps the volunteer. You learn new skills, make new friends and have a great laugh all at the same time. For those interested in pursuing a career in conservation, you also make invaluable contacts, and a stint of volunteering looks good on your c.v.

Volunteering can take many forms, from frantic rhododendron bashing to footpath building, pond dredging, office work and, best of all, a bit of wildlife watching. Volunteers are always wanted by wildlife groups all over Wales and beyond. In my early years, I volunteered on the RSPB's Lake Vyrnwy reserve as well as wardening breeding terns in north Wales. I've even done a stint of rhododendron bashing in my time.

So how do you go about volunteering? It's simple; just contact your local wildlife trust, RSPB office, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, CCW or any other organisation and put yourself forward. They will then tell you what they have on offer, where and when, and you decide what's best for you. You can find their details right here on this site.