Reserve Volunteer

Why do we need you?

Volunteers are integral to the running of our Welney reserve and without their help we wouldn’t be able to maintain this amazing 1300 acre wetland of international importance. We are looking for volunteers to join our Monday Reserves Team. Our volunteer team are friendly, motivated and hard-working and say they benefit by gaining new experiences, meeting new people and most importantly making a difference by helping maintain important wetland habitat.

Maintaining and managing a large wetland nature reserve requires a lot of practical, hands on physical tasks. With first-class training and guidance, you’ll be part of a small and dedicated team that cares for a variety of breeds in all weathers, to help tell our conservation story. Your role will be to provide regular support to the reserves team in all practical reserve management, to maintain habitats, increase species biodiversity and ensure the reserve and grounds areas are functioning at their best for our visitors.

This role involves:

• assisting with all practical reserve management activities including scrub clearance, pruning, pollarding and fencing
• supporting staff and other volunteers with the construction and maintenance of scrape, ditches and reed beds, ensuring that reserve water bodies are maintained and managed appropriately
• operating agreed machinery safely in order to carry out management activities e.g. mowers, 4x4
• assisting with the construction and maintenance of access routes to the bird hides including the maintenance of fences, footpaths and hides
• working with a variety of hand tools safely and correctly, observing and applying health and safety regulations at all times
• taking due care for the safety, welfare and enjoyment of the visiting public
• you may be asked to undertake related ad hoc tasks

This role will suit you if:

You have a can-do attitude and are happy to help us in all weathers, and are both a practical person and physically fit. Having experience in some habitat management would be helpful, but a keenness to learn is more important. It’s a closely-working team, however, the ability to work under your own initiative and being self-motivated is also needed. 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.