Practical Volunteering Opportunities

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)

BTCV is the UK 's largest practical conservation charity, supporting people from all sections of the community in positive action to improve the environment. They run practical conservation days every week as well as one off specific project tasks. These can vary from Tree Planting to Pond Construction; Charcoal Burning to creation of new footpaths.

For more information contact the North East Office on 0191 469 8431

Durham Wildlife Trust

Living Waterways

The Wildlife Trusts in both Durham and Northumberland are helping to deliver the Environment Agency's Living Waterways project across the North East. The aim of the project is to engage local communities to help improve the urban rivers and streams and the green spaces around them, creating more attractive environments for people and wildlife and reducing the risk of flooding.

We want people to get involved, whatever their ability or experience, to help us clean up sections of rivers, streams and ponds to improve habitats and the surrounding green space. Keeping the river free from litter helps the water to flow freely, reducing the risk of flooding, and helping to project a number of important species that live in and around the regions waterways.

For more information contact the Living Waterways Project Officer on 0191 5843112

Volunteer Task Force

Help implement essential practical conservation tasks such as hedge planting, tree felling, grass cutting, footpath construction and surveying on the Trust's 24 Nature Reserves. Tasks run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of every week and sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays. No experience required - everyone welcome.

Contact Rainton Meadows on 0191 584 3112 or Low Barns on 01388 488728 or look on the volunteering section of the web site.

Volunteer Reserve Wardens

If you live near or regularly visit a Durham Wildlife Trust nature reserve you could help the Trust as a Volunteer Reserve Warden (VRW). VRW's are the eyes and ears of the Trust's reserves team and provide information on maintenance issues such as branches fallen across paths or motorbikes using a site. Induction and brief training is given.

Contact Rainton Meadows on 0191 584 3112

WildPlaces

WildPlaces is giving people living in urban areas of the North East the opportunities to experience and learn about urban mammals that can often be found much closer to home than people think! The project aims to inspire local communities to join us in filming and photographing these amazing animals in their natural habitats. They will also be involving communities in all stages of conservation project work from data collection and surveys to practical delivery.

We are looking for volunteers to take part in practical conservation work, wildlife surveys, species reporting and recording and to learn mammal tracking techniques. We would also like volunteers to help us with camera equipment and video editing! So if you are interested in learning about wildlife and/ or the technology we use for this project we would love to hear from you!

For more information contact the WildPlaces Project Officer on 0191 5843112

Gateshead Countryside Volunteers

Over half of Gateshead Borough is countryside! So why not come along and take care of it. Practical tasks run every Tuesday & Thursday and alternate Saturdays - meet at Swalwell Visitor Centre. You can also help with public events such as walks and fun days, and there is a series of regular training and social events including trips and BBQs held on Thursday evenings and weekends.

Find out more from the Countryside Teams at Thornley Woodlands Centre 01207 545 212 and the Civic Centre, Gateshead 0191 433 3524/3443

Volunteering Opportunities in South Tyneside

Countryside Volunteers South Tyneside (CVST) are a community group who work to improve countryside sites across the Borough. They undertake a wide range of tasks throughout the year from pond management and tree coppicing to litter picks and willow weaving. The group, supported by South Tyneside Council's Countryside Team, also access training for new skills such as wildflower identification, bat detector workshops and traditional hedge-laying techniques.

To find out more contact CVST Secretary Katrina Ghent on 0191 536 3894.

Sunderland Countryside Rangers

Sunderland Countryside Rangers is an affiliate of the registered charity British Trust for Conservationist Volunteers. One Saturday per month, we undertake practical conservation tasks such as, repairing steps, stiles and woodland paths, clearing sycamore and snowberry from the woodland floor, hedge laying, wetland clearance and preparation for wildflower seed plantings.