The Ranger team at Wimpole are looking for ecology volunteers to help with breeding bird, wintering bird and butterfly surveys. Some previous knowledge or experience is desirable.
By getting involved you could:
- Spend time outdoors in a beautiful landscape
- learn more about Wimpole's rich wildlife
- gain useful skills to enhance your CV
- be part of a friendly, dedicated team
- help us increase our knowledge of what we have and what we need to protect for the future
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, forever.
What’s involved?
- Good bird identification including bird song is required for breeding bird surveys (April to July)
- Wintering bird surveys will run from December to March.
- Good butterfly identification skills will be required for Butterfly survey (May to October)
- Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines e.g.Covid
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
- Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
- Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
- Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website
This role will suit you if you are …
- Experienced in surveying and able to work with little to no training or supervision.
- Looking for experience in nature conservation
- Reasonably fit and healthy – able to walk over varied terrain in all weathers
- Comfortable reading maps and finding your own way around in the countryside without a staff member.
- Happy working in a team or independently.
- Keen to help the National Trust care for our places in the future
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to
- Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us
- Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
- Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity
What's the duration of the opportunity?
All year round
Where is the opportunity based?
Wimpole Estate
Arrington
Royston
SG8 0BW
Can students travel to the opportunity via public transport?
No
What attributes would your ideal volunteer have?
Interested in wildlife, conservation and the outdoors. Ideally with some experience of wildlife monitoring but keen to learn more; reasonably fit and prepared for all weathers .Good observation skills
What skills would the volunteer gain?
Wildlife monitoring; knowledge of habitats and wildlife; teamwork; organisational skills.