There are many volunteering opportunities based in Forestry Commission Scotland woodlands and forests, ranging from helping construct mountain bike trails to being a guide at an osprey project in the Scottish Borders.
- Please get in touch with your local Forest District Office in the first instance if you are interested in volunteering. They will be able to give you information on what voluntary work might be available.
- You might also like to try the Volunteer Scotland website for more information on voluntary work in your area.
- Look at our booklet Volunteering on the national forest estate to find out what some volunteer groups are already doing.
Current volunteering opportunities:
Volunteer Warden at Boden Boo, Erskine
Would you like to help at your local woodland?
Enjoy the woodland, learn new skills and be part of Forestry Commission Scotland’s ever growing team of volunteers. Whatever your age, ability, or fitness level there are opportunities to volunteer at Boden Boo woodland in Erskine.
Volunteer wardens will support the visitor experience in a range of ways from talking to local people, practical conser vation tasks and ensuring the area is clean and litter free.
Recruitment closes on 24th May 2013.
If you would like an application pack please contact:
Helen Stewart,
Forestry Commission Scotland,
Caspian House, 2 Mariner Court,
8 South Avenue, Clydebank G81 2NR.
Email: helen.stewart@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Wildlife Information Volunteers
If you enjoy talking to people and enthusing them about wildlife, why not join the team of volunteers in the Wildlife Room at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre?
An exciting joint project run by FCS and the RSPB has live camera links to a local osprey nest, a buzzard nest, a barn owl nest box plus additional cameras on red squirrel feeders and small bird nests. You can catch all the live action and help visitors understand our really special local wildlife.
Help is also required for wildlife events being staged at the The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre throughout the year.
Whatever your current skills and interest, get in touch and see if we have a volunteer opportunity for you!
For more information contact:
Lucy Tozer
Wildlife Information and Education Officer
RSPB & Forestry Commission Scotland
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre
Aberfoyle
Tel: 07834 257 796 Email: lucy.tozer@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Bennachie, Aberdeenshire (first Saturday of the month)
On the first Saturday of every month the Bailies of Bennachie will run work parties on the hill to undertake work such as footpath maintenance, removal of rhododendron from native woodlands, archaeological survey work and more. For more details contact Mike Neely on 01467 629969. See also: http://www.bailiesofbennachie.co.uk/.
Glentress 'trailfairies' - volunteer trail building and maintenance team
The Glentress Trailfairies are volunteers who help out with maintenance work on the existing mountain bike trails and hand-build new sections of singletrack at Glentress Forest. They meet up fortnightly on Saturdays at 9.00am. It's a sociable way to give something back to the trails. For more details see the Glentress Trailfairies information on the 7stanes website.
Tweed Valley Osprey Project
If you're interested in helping out with the Tweed Valley Osprey Watch, contact the Tweed Valley Osprey Project.
Trees for Life - Conservation Holidays and Conservation Days
Trees for Life is a charity working to restore Caledonian forest to 1000 square miles of the Highlands west of Inverness. They run conservation holidays at a number of Forestry Commission Scotland sites across the Highlands, including Glen Affric, Glen Moriston, Glen Garry, Achnashellach and Skye.
Volunteers participate in a wide variety of tasks, including tree planting, removal of non-native species and nursery work such as mulching, potting and seed sorting. Accommodation, meals and all transport is provided.
Please visit their website for further details and to view availability or to book a holiday: www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.ww.html.
They also run conservation days for those who would like to volunteer for a single day. For further details please contact call 01309 691444 or email info@treesforlife.org.uk.
