Environment Volunteer Roles

About The Role

 We’re WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife. We’re on a mission to restore wetlands because they are a wondrous solution to our world's problems. Together we will unlock their power – and help nature burst back to life. Because when wetlands flourish, all life will flourish.

Maintaining and developing an award-winning wetland centre requires a lot of practical, physical work to keep the centre looking in excellent condition, so we can continue to provide our visitors with a great day out and showcase our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people.

In this role you will be providing regular support to the facilities team undertaking a range of hands-on practical tasks, playing a vital part in managing the site.

General maintenance of facilities and buildings

• Assisting on various maintenance/building projects.
• Painting, concreting, joinery work, groundworks, drainage, plumbing are examples of the skills that would be great – not all essential.
• Willing to learn new skills such as those listed above whilst assisting the team in maintenance and building tasks.
• Cleaning and maintenance of workshop and tools.
•  Keeping up to date with WWT news

Who are we looking for?

In order to carry out this role, you will need to be / have:

Prepared to be hands on and enthusiastic for completing practical tasks.

• Some experience in maintenance or building skills or just generally happy to be working hand on.
• Friendly, patient and dependable.
• Physically fit and happy to work outdoors in all weathers.
• Capable of working as part of a team and on your own.
• An excellent ability to communicate effectively with staff and other volunteers.
• Confidence to engage our visitors with the work of WWT.
• Willing to train and learn new skills and carry out essential safety training whilst working with us.

We want your volunteering to be a positive and fun experience. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and other information you need.  This will include risk assessments based on your role and any particular support you need.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

Help us to grow brand-new online charity platform A Good Thing in your local area! Come on board as a community champion: use your communications skills to drive more businesses and charities to sign up.

A Good Thing is a not-for-profit set up with one mission: to send less to landfill, and more to a good cause. We are rolling out fast across the UK, momentum is building, and we are growing a network of passionate local volunteer champions right across the country to drive our growth.

You’ll be using your connections (friends, family, colleagues, neighbours...), as well as your insights into the local area, to help us to build the numbers of businesses and charities signing up in your part of the UK. You might do this through making connections with businesses in your area, taking A Good Thing to the doorstep. Or you could approach businesses virtually, using your expert written communication skills to create communications that will engage and inspire them. You’ll definitely be using social media and your brilliant online networking skills to build links and relationships where you live.

Come with us on our journey towards reducing waste and boosting wonderful local charities at the same time.

We're looking for an Office Administration Volunteer to support the wider Garden Organic team based in the office and around the UK, in a variety of tasks from preparing materials needed for events, updating spreadsheets to basic reception duties.

Location: Ryton Gardens, Wolston Lane, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3LG

About Garden Organic

Garden Organic is the UK's leading organic growing charity and has been at the forefront of the organic horticulture movement for over 60 years. We aim to nurture and grow a movement of people and organisations that take practical action to conserve seeds, nurture soil, make compost and reduce waste and share organic gardening know-how and the benefit of human and planetary health.

Our simple message is this – organic practice, including composting, is the fastest way to repay our debt to nature and deliver biodiversity improvement in the context of land management.

What is an Administration Volunteer?

Working as part of a team, our Administration Volunteers support the wider Garden Organic team based in the office and around the UK, in a variety of tasks from preparing materials needed for events, updating spreadsheets to basic reception duties.

Why volunteer for Garden Organic?

Ryton Gardens lies at the heart of our work to promote organic gardening, offering volunteers the chance to make a real contribution in a beautiful and unique setting. In supporting our wider team, you will help present a professional and friendly organisation that visitors will come to time and time again. Enjoy the company of a friendly group of like-minded people or use your time with us as a steppingstone into work or college.

What’s in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Meeting people from all walks of life
• Gaining new skills
• Developing your CV
• Knowing you are helping to support our work.

What’s involved?

Tasks can be variable depending on our needs but can include:

• Dealing with incoming and outgoing post
• Ordering of stationery and refreshments
• Updating spreadsheets and databases as necessary
• Filing, photocopying, scanning, and shredding
• Preparing mailings or resources for events
• Answering the telephone
• Covering reception when needed
• Helping with other administrative duties as and when required
• Volunteers may occasionally be asked to assist in other departments.

This role will suit people who:

• Have good communication and listening skills.
• Have a cheerful, outgoing, and confident demeanor.
• Enjoy working as part of a team.
• Have a positive, organised and flexible approach to work.
• Have some experience of word processing, database, and email software.
• Have some experience of working in an office environment.

What do we offer our volunteers?

• Full induction to Garden Organic
• Appropriate support and supervision
• Relevant training
• Reasonable travel expenses.
• Membership of Garden Organic*
• Job References

Are you interested in penguins?!  Falklands Conservation are looking for their next treasurer/Finance lead trustee and non-executive director. 

Falklands Conservation is a non-governmental organisation working to protect the wildlife in the Falkland Islands for future generations. We undertake practical conservation projects, surveys and scientific studies, conduct annual monitoring of seabird populations, rehabilitate oiled penguins, publish guides and information on many aspects of the Falkland Islands environment, and involve Islanders of all ages in our activities. 

Falklands Conservation is a UK registered charitable company started in 1998 when it took over the activities and assets of a charitable trust founded in 1979 by Sir Peter Scott.

This role is for a trustee who will act as global treasurer and be the lead trustee for finance, investments and audit.Our next Treasurer will continue the oversight of our finances and investments, providing specific support and direction on all matters money-related.  They will advise the other trustees on these matters and support the finance team of the organisation.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who would like experience of a non-executive role on a board (an existing trustee will act as a mentor).  It's a unique opportunity to get involved in an international conservation charity that makes a real difference in a location where nature is in charge.

This is a voluntary role without remuneration.

About The Role

We're looking for someone to help with the vital work of caring for a wide variety of birds, along with their varied wetland habitats. It's a core part of how we restore wetlands and unlock their power. 

The role includes:

• Learning about best practice in bio-security and animal care, keeping up our high standards
• Helping with bird feeding, bird observation tasks, helping with bird catches and movements, and checking the collection is safe and secure.
• Helping out with maintenance and cleaning of exhibits and collection facilities: from vegetation clearing, to repairing pond edging and cobbling works, cleaning nest boxes and winter hides, and painting and maintaining them.
• Keeping up to date with WWT news and talking to visitors about events and activities that might spark their interest.
• Potentially presenting talks to the public (we'll make sure you have the training you need if you want to do this).  

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

About You

If you want to make a real contribution to WWT's work, in an inspiring environment, this might be the role for you. You'll learn new, transferable skills and be part of a friendly and dedicated team. 

A can-do attitude and willingness to get involved in all weathers are a must. This can be a physically demanding role - you'll be out and about in all weathers.

Having experience in bird keeping and welfare and some practical habitat management would be helpful. The team works closely together, but the willingness to work under your initiative is important. Having, or being happy to develop, the confidence to engage our visitors with the work of WWT is also a key part of this role.

Trustee Vacancy, Midlands

Voluntary Role. Reasonable travel and other expenses reimbursed.

First time trustees are very welcome to apply! Full training given

Help us deliver our Vision of a Midlands Region where no one goes hungry and where children don’t go to school on an empty stomach

Last year, our food helped over 500 frontline charities and community groups across the Midlands to provide 13 million meals.

FareShare Midlands (FSM) is the region’s largest food redistribution charity. We take good-to-eat surplus food from the food industry and get it to our Members - frontline charities and community groups all over the Midlands. We turn an environmental problem into a social solution.

Last year we redistributed almost 5,794 tonnes of food from our warehouses in Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham. It is sorted and stored by our dedicated teams of staff and volunteers, and then redistributed to around 800 Members including food pantries and cafes, homeless shelters and drop-in centres.

These local organisations turn the food into food parcels, affordable shopping and delicious meals for people of all ages. As well as food, our Members provide vital support to families and the elderly, many of whom are facing challenging circumstances and living in poverty.

Last year our food reached more than 83,000 vulnerable people every week, providing 13 million meals. At the same time, we are growing our Employability Programmes to help people gain work experience, skills and jobs.

Our Purpose at FareShare Midlands is to Fight Hunger, Tackle Food Waste and to Create Opportunities.

The Role

Our Trustees set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values and are responsible for setting organisational strategy, policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan and evaluating performance.

We are looking for you to bring your life experience, insight, expertise and skills together with the enthusiasm and commitment to helping to reduce food insecurity and unnecessary food waste. You will have a passion for the work we do, have an understanding of poverty and inequality and a commitment to our values around a fairer and more equal society.

We welcome applicants who have little or no Trustee experience but a strong desire to be part of a force for good and helping to create lasting change.  An inquisitive mind and confidence to interrogate information provided to you by the Leadership Team.

It is imperative for us to have a board which reflects a range of backgrounds and identities and, most importantly, represents the people we exist to support, as we believe that such increased diversity will improve our creativity and decision making.

We welcome applications from anyone enthusiastic and interested about the work we do and a desire to help us create lasting change through the work that we do. We are particularly keen to talk to people with experience in; Finance, Fundraising; Food Industry; Employability; Marketing, PR or Communications; Business Development and IT; Transport/logistics and Warehousing and distribution.

You will work with our existing board of trustees and our Chief Executive who are ably supported by a Senior Management team as well as our staff and volunteers who all share a passion to make a difference for those who need the food we distribute.

The Commitment

The trustee board meets quarterly (January, April, July and October). Meetings are usually on a Saturday morning and last for 2-3 hours, often remotely. Plus one strategy day/board development day per year. Generally, board members have the opportunity to be part of or chair a committee too.

To Apply:

If you feel you have the passion and interest for the role we would love to hear from you. Please send an up-to-date CV or LinkedIn profile along with a supporting statement stating how your skills and experience would add value to the Board, as well as why you are interested in joining us. 

Do let us know if there is anything we can do to support your application, and if you have any individual needs or need any adjustments. 

Working closely with the Membership and Information Coordinator, this role involves meeting with community food members to review their requirements, and ensure that the food they receive from FareShare is being stored and distributed in accordance with FareShare regulations. The role includes travelling to CFM premises across Greater Manchester and carrying out office based administration.
 

Where? Maynard House, New Smithfield Market. Openshaw M11 2WJ

Hours? Monday to Friday. Start times between 09:00 -10:00 for a minimum four hour shift

How often? Volunteers are typically involved for one shift a week.

Support? The role is supported by the FareShare Membership Coordinator.

What will I be doing?

Arranging meetings with members by telephone or email.

Carrying out the offsite meetings, including completing a checklist and taking note of customer queries or concerns.

Following up on any required actions with the customer, and internally with the FareShare Membership Coordinator.

Inputting/updating data on to the database.

Answering phones and taking messages.

Completing and filing all paperwork accurately

Our requirements

Car user (travelling throughout the Greater Manchester boroughs). Clean Driving licence or max 3 points

ABOUT FARESHARE

FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, made up of 18 independent organisations. Together, we take good quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to nearly 8,500 frontline charities and community groups, (CFMs), including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes. Every week we provide enough food to create almost one million meals for vulnerable people.

FareShare Greater Manchester has been run by EMERGE 3Rs since 2008. EMERGE is a charity that has been active in the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) since 1996. From our regional centre based on New Smithfield Market we redistribute food to over 250 CFMs.

Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with diverse communities

IT Skills

Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate (this qualification can be completed at FareShare).

Ability to prioritise and organise duties

Familiarity with answering phone and taking messages when required.

Data inputting using Excel and the FareShare in house database

Training

A full induction followed by a ‘Taster’ session progressing to ongoing training for the role, by on-the-job training and e-learning.

What you can expect from the volunteer role

Out of pocket expenses reimbursed – up to £6 for travel and up to £3 for lunch upon completion of a 4 hour shift

Mileage expenses reimbursed for off-site visits

Experience of working in a team

A reference after 3 months if applicable

Knowledge of the importance and benefits of addressing food surplus and recycling.

You will be required to complete introductory sessions before you are confirmed in the role.

About The Role

Our wetland centres shape unforgettable experiences for our visitors to engage with wetland wildlife and learn more about the amazing work  WWT does to conserve wetlands and species around the world.

A good cup of tea and a relaxing snack looking over our beautiful wetlands are an important part of that experience. Plus, all the profit from our cafes and shops goes back into funding WWT projects. 

We're looking for friendly, welcoming people to help in our café and make that experience a great one.

In this role, you will be:

• Serving our visitors light meals, snacks and drinks

• Helping keeping our café tables clear, clean and free for use

• Engaging with our visitors, directing them to our seasonal highlights and daily talks, helping them to make the most of their visit

• Supporting behind-the-scenes with tasks such as washing up and sorting deliveries - keeping us on track

• Helping with food displays- helping visitors to make those tricky choices!

Our café has an amazing view of the reserve and you'll be able to watch the seasons change whilst helping visitors to have an enjoyable day.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

About You

If you have a positive, friendly and can-do attitude and are happy to get stuck in, always keeping our customers in mind, this could be the role for you. You'll enjoy working alongside our staff team, interacting with visitors and helping make their experience in our café a great one. 

A good general knowledge of food safety and hygiene would be helpful, but we’ll give you training and the information you need. 

Why do we need you?

Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is a spectacular 1,400 acre wild reserve situated on the north Solway coast. From dawn until dusk, from January to December, in fair weather and not so fair, its open coastal landscape and wide skies are full of the sights and sounds of nature – and very little else.

The centre is deservedly famous for its vast flocks of over-wintering water birds, including around 30,000 barnacle geese from Arctic Svalbard and large numbers of pink-footed geese and whooper swans. Summer offers the opportunity to explore rolling wildflower meadows, watch ospreys hunting over the Solway and even spot barn owls and badgers.

We are involved in the maintenance of this internationally important wetland site. This involves maintaining and developing the various habitats that attract large numbers of migratory birds but also help develop the reserve to increase general biodiversity.

What will you be doing?

• Maintenance of visitor facilities including paths, hides etc
• General habitat management work across a multitude of habitat types
• Maintenance of screens and stock fences
• Maintenance of bird feeding stations
• Maintenance of hedges and trees
• Assist with wildlife monitoring
• General visitor engagement
• Occasional assisting with management of livestock/visitor centre work

Who are we looking for?

• Practical experience on a nature reserve and good identification skills is desirable although training can be given
• Able to work alone or as part of a team
• Good people skills
• Confident with communicating with the public
• Good level of physical fitness
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather

How will you benefit?

• Training opportunities will be provided along with the opportunity to visit other WWT centres across the UK

• You will be able to become part of the small but friendly reserve team
• You may be involved in role specific training such as strimming and brush cutter.
• You will be involved in the workings of this centre and will therefore be able to take up any opportunities that become available
• Suitable uniform and personal protective equipment is provided to all regular volunteers
• Discount is available in the shop for all volunteers

Bring your organisational skills and event management experience to support us to our aims of promoting green spaces in Greater London and making London a better, greener and healthier place for everyone to live in, work in and enjoy.

Who are we?

At CPRE London we campaign to save and promote green spaces in Greater London and make London a better, greener and healthier place for everyone to live in, work in and enjoy.

We are part of the national network of CPRE, the countryside charity. 

We are currently seeking individuals with event management skills and with a passion for environmental conservation to join our team.

An event volunteer will help CPRE with the work involving multiple events, including the "Urban Tree Festival" and "London Rivers Week". 

Successful candidates will get the opportunity to participate in a range of fun and interesting events across May and June.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting event design to help the public engage with the importance and value of London's trees and rivers and potentially be inspired to get involved in green volunteering
• Developing systems and arrangements to help things run smoothly
• Supporting monitoring event impact / gathering feedback from participants
• Events follow-up to help maximise event legacy 

What are we looking for?

• Excellent organisational skills
• Some prior events organisation experience (may be voluntary) 
• Experience using Eventbrite.
• Strong communication skills
• Creative thinking and problem-solving attitude
• Knowledge of and a keen interest in environmental issues
• A self motivated person who can work independently and drives initiatives
• Have access to a computer and the internet at home and be confident using them

Benefits of the role

• Use your skills to help our charity and make a positive difference in London’s green spaces
• Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We can give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
• The opportunity to attend a volunteer induction run by CPRE’s national office
• We provide out-of-pocket travel expense

Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) is the UK’s leading charity for all freshwaters. We’ve been creating, restoring and protecting high quality habitats for freshwater wildlife for more than 30 years.

Our aim is to reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. We work to achieve this through practical conservation, scientific research, community engagement and by influencing policy. As an evidence-based organisation, we target our practical delivery work where it will make a real difference. We have projects in many parts of the UK, focused on restoring and protecting high quality habitats for freshwater wildlife.

Now, we want to enhance the current Board and bring a range of backgrounds and experiences reflective of the people we currently serve and those we would like to be serving in the future.

We particularly welcome new Trustees that bring skills and experience in any of the following areas:

· Communications:

· Policy and Parliamentary influence

· Human Resources

Please do not be put off from applying if you do not have any of these skills or if you have never been a Trustee before. The most important qualities for our Trustees are enthusiasm, engagement and a desire to get involved and make a contribution to FHT. 

This is a voluntary role (reasonable travel expenses reimbursed) involving:

· Attending four Board meetings a year (three online, one in London or Oxford).

· Approximately four days per year to cover meetings and occasional extra duties.

ClientEarth is an environmental law charity with a unique focus – using the power of the law to bring about systemic change that protects all life on Earth. We strive for a healthy planet where nature and all people can thrive together. A planet with resilient, species-rich ecosystems; a safe and stable climate; an environment that is free of toxins, with clean air, soil, and water – all underpinned by strong environmental justice and rule of law.

Headquartered in London, and with offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Madrid, and Warsaw, our approach is increasingly global. Founded in 2007, ClientEarth now employs nearly 300 people in nine offices, working in over 60 countries.

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for agreeing ClientEarth’s overall programmatic and financial strategy; approving the annual budget; and ensuring sound governance, administration, and financial management.

As some of our Trustees reach the end of their tenure in 2024 and early 2025, and as we look to the challenges and opportunities ahead, we want to recruit an additional two or three new Trustees to help strengthen ClientEarth’s impact.

We are seeking outstanding people with diverse insights and experiences to help support this unique organisation in its next chapter. Will you join us?

The general skills and experience required of Trustees are:

• A commitment to ClientEarth’s mission and values
• Knowledge of or a strong interest in conservation, biodiversity, climate change, and social justice.
• Strategic vision, sound and independent judgment, and an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of working in a global organisation.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Leadership experience, whether in the NGO sector, finance, business, strategic communications, tech, law, or other relevant sectors.

Highly desirable:

• An ability to serve on and potentially Chair our People & Culture Committee.
• Significant and/or relevant experience working in the EU, Asia, or South America

Trustee Time Commitment

Each Trustee is expected to be able to dedicate sufficient time to the role. We estimate that Trustees commit on average 8-10 days a year, not including travel.

Terms and Compensation

The Trustees serve a three-year term, and will be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Trustee roles are not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although Board-related travel expenses may be claimed.

• Closing Date: 30 September 2024
• First Interview Dates: Late October 2024
• Expected Start Date: 28 November 2024

Further information

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits they bring. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and positively welcome applications from people from many different backgrounds.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements

Trees for Cities work with young people across the UK to learn more about our urban forests and take action for the climate.

Get involved in:

• London Youth Programme
• Online Youth Research Panel (Bradford, Glasgow and London youth)

Our London Youth Programme is a brilliant opportunity for London-based 16-25 year olds to get stuck in planting and protecting our urban forest.

''[The programme] was amazing because it can feel really helpless or powerless about getting people to listen to you but this was a great opportunity to have our voices heard and meet other young people who are doing the same thing.'' Past Youth Programme participant.

What is the London Youth Programme?

The Youth Programme is a six month project running from October to March, involving six in-person training sessions in London parks and greenspaces. We teach young participants how to plant and protect urban trees and how to inspire other young people to do the same.

This is a fantastic opportunity for personal development and a great way to gain a first hand experience of working in a leading environmental charity, whilst picking up key arboriculture skills along the way. Perfect for any young person with a keen interest in the environment, who is passionate about joining the fight against the climate crisis and wants to build a greener future for both themselves and future generations.

''I learnt a lot about team work. On the programme, you have to talk to each other to figure out solutions to get people connected to nature and everyone’s ideas come together. With planting a tree, everyone has to work together too.'' Past Youth Programme participant.

What’s in it for you?

• Free Tree ID books to help you identify local trees.
• A space to connect with other like minded young people.
• An opportunity to take action against the climate crisis.
• Develop knowledge and skills around planning, planting and maintaining urban trees with local communities.
• A chance to bring real change to urban areas by working with an environmental charity with both national and global impact.

What is the Youth Research Panel?

An online group of young people aged 18-25 from Bradford, Glasgow and London. These young people are researching young people's connection to nature. They are creating a toolkit to assess the accessibility and engagement of local parks and greenspaces for young people.

Why get involved?

• It’s a space to connect with other like minded young people.
• Develop knowledge and skills around social action projects and research.
• Findings you collect feed into our urban forest and schools programmes.
• A chance to bring real change to urban areas by working with an environmental charity with both national and global impact.

London youth volunteers 16- 25years old.

Travel expenses can be covered. 

Volunteering 6 Saturdays 11am- 3pm (mandatory) 1 per month - between October 2024 - March 2025. 

With further optional volunteer days (saturdays 11am-3pm).