Volunteers' testimonials

 

"Having done a desk job for most of my working life, its great to get out into the forest and work on conservation tasks with a great bunch of like minded people, whilst learning and caring about our environment.  What better place to keep fit in mind and body."

Nigel Floyd
Volunteer Ranger
New Forest

“I have been a volunteer for the Forestry Commission for 3 years helping on various conservation task days and with events like the Christmas Tree sales.

I started volunteering after I took redundancy from my previous office based job. I decided to look towards a career change into the environmental sector. I began a degree in Conservation and Countryside Management and soon realised I would need some practical experience to back up the academic knowledge I was gaining at university in order to get my foot on the career ladder after my degree.
I had regularly visited my local woodland after work so when I found out there was a volunteer group based at the wood I went along.

I’ve learnt a lot in my time with the group including skills like hedge laying and dry stone walling as well as a better appreciation of the work countryside managers do.
As well as helping me towards my new career path becoming a volunteer has given me a new perspective on the countryside I live in and I really feel part of my local woodland. I know what’s going on and why and I’m making a practical contribution – it gives me a real sense of achievement when I visit the woodland now.”

"Volunteering is the best thing I have ever done.  I love being out in the open, making new friends and learning about the forest.  It also keeps me healthy and active."

Pam Millichap
Volunteer Ranger
New Forest

"I had retired from a highly-pressurised business job, and had always gone out into the countryside to unwind. As I scanned the pages of my local rag I saw an advert for a volunteer work party, clearing a bridleway in a local woodland. As I am a keen cyclist and often use the bridleways, I thought it was my chance to spend the day outside and do a useful job at the same time.

Well, I went, had a very interesting time, and have never looked back since. I go to work parties whenever I can, and always learn something new every time I am out. It is also great not to have to make decisions, just to be shown what to do, and then to get on with it, always under professional guidance, of course.

An unexpected bonus has been the number of new people I have met. Even on my first work party, I met another keen cyclist, Alan, and he and I have been out cycling together many times since."

John