Practical Volunteering
Join our team of volunteers and contribute to valuable nature conservation and general maintenance tasks around the site, develop new skills, meet other volunteers and get active in a relaxing and nourishing environment. Tasks vary throughout the year; examples include tree thinning, coppicing, path maintenance, hurdle making, wildlife surveys, firewood restocking and buildings maintenance. Activities often require the use of tools.
As a charity, support from volunteers is gratefully received and allows us to continue the work we do.
Read 15 year old Alex’s blog about volunteering with us here.
Volunteer Days
When? 10am to 3pm, normally on the first Friday and third Wednesday of each month. See our Events page for upcoming dates. There are also opportunities for self-led volunteering projects for regular volunteers.
Who? Everyone is invited! We welcome children over the age of 8, accompanied by a responsible adult. Please let us know if you have any medical, mobility or other additional needs we should be aware of so we can plan the day accordingly.
Want to take part? To register your interest and for more information please contact Nick Mabey, Trustee, on nick@hazelhill.org.uk or 07930 536013. We look forward to hearing from you!
Garden BirdWatch survey – volunteers needed now
The Garden BirdWatch survey helps the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) understand how and why populations of garden birds and other wildlife are changing. Volunteers Ella Abbott and Mark Burfitt set up this survey in February 2021, and it’s been completed most weeks since then. We are looking for another volunteer or two to join the team.
What’s involved? 30 minute survey 1-3 times per month (the survey is once a week, shared between a small volunteer team). Bird identification skills needed, training will be given, willingness to be outdoors in all weathers. basic computer skills needed to submit the data. Please get in touch if you are interested.
Bird nest box survey – spring/summer 2024
Each year we take part in the BTO Nesting Neighbours nest box survey. This is a lovely survey where you get to experience the whole nesting cycle up close, from nest building and egg laying, to hatching and growing, until the baby birds are ready to fledge and fly the nest!
What’s involved? Roughly 2 hours weekly Feb/Mar to Jul/Aug, training will be given, 2-4 people, some bird species identification skills needed, ladder use and carrying the ladder around the wood required, basic computer skills needed to submit the data and basic photography skills. Please get in touch if you are interested.
Butterfly survey
Each year we take part in the butterfly transect survey, part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS). It is a rewarding and enjoyable task. From Butterfly Conservation: “The UKBMS is one of the longest running insect monitoring schemes in the world, with data from over 6,000 sites contributing to the butterfly trends since 1976.”
What’s involved? 1.5 hours weekly Apr-Sep, butterfly identification skills needed, training will be given, 1-2 people, 2km walk in sometimes hot conditions, basic computer skills needed to submit the data. Please get in touch if you are interested.
Other volunteer roles
In addition to our regular Volunteer Days, which primarily involve completing practical tasks, we welcome ideas from people who would like to help us in other volunteer roles.
If you have skills in biological recording, wildlife photography, marketing, website/graphic design (or even something we haven’t thought of yet) and are interested in contributing to our charity, please contact us.
