There are many opportunities to get more involved in the work of the Trust, whether you're looking for work experience, a new hobby, or are just keen to do something to help protect wildlife in your local area.

These opportunities include:

Employee Action Days

A way for companies and businesses to make a practical and positive difference to local wildlife.

Wildlife Action Group

Our twice weekly (Wednesday and Sunday) volunteer group who help with practical conservation on Trust nature reserves.

Nature Reserves

Gain experience helping to look after and manage your local reserve or further a field.

People and Wildlife

Helping with our Community outreach projects.

Conservation

No opportunities at the moment, please check another time.

Communications and Development

Nothing at the moment, please check another time.

Events

Share your expertise with others.

For more environmental volunteering vacancies see www.environmentjob.co.uk or www.countryside-jobs.com

Volunteering vacancies

Nature reserves

For any nature reserve volunteering opportunities, please get in touch with Sarah van der Meer (Volunteering Officer) on 0117 9177 7270 or e-mail: sarahvandermeer@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wildlife Action Groups (WAG)

Join in when you can on any Wednesday or Sunday and be part of the volunteer teams that do practical conservation work on our nature reserves. Work is seasonal, so in the summer the work is drystone walling, stock fencing, path maintenance, hide repair and grass cutting using scythes to name a few. In the winter we turn our hands to hedgelaying, coppicing, bramble bashing, and small tree felling. Tasks are carried out using hand tools, and occasionally drills. Transport, tools, training and tea are all provided.

Click here for this quarter's WAG Programme.

Portbury Wharf Reserve Volunteers
Come volunteer and help the Trust to manage the new 47 hectares Portbury Wharf nature reserve. Tasks will vary from helping to maintain access, to carrying out scrub removal, ditch management and more. There will be opportunities to get involved with a variety wildlife monitoring and in particular experienced naturalists are needed to assist with surveys. Portbury Wharf is near the village of Sheepway, near to Portishead.

If you are interested in helping with the reserve or monitoring please get in touch with Bernie D'Arcy (Portbury Wharf Reserve Warden) on 01275 817710 at the Portbury Wharf office or e-mail berniedarcy@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Volunteer Reserve Wardens

Volunteer Wardens have a unique role within the Trust, helping to manage nature reserves in their local area. Ideally we are looking for people who can give a long term commitment (two years plus). The role can vary dependent on your interests i.e. could help with surveys, keep an eye on the site, carryout practical conservation work.

Folly Farm Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help the Thursday group who  manage the 250 acre Folly Farm nature reserve. Tasks vary from helping to maintain access, to carrying out scrub removal and woodland management. Folly Farm is near the village of Bishop Sutton in the  Chew Valley Lake.

Royate Hill Local Volunteer Group

Volunteers are needed to help the Royate Hill Local Group to manage the Royate Hill nature reserve in Easton/Eastville. Tasks range from grassland management such as grasscutting and scrub removal, to step building. The group meets on one Saturday each month.

Gordano Conservation Group

The Gordano Conservation Group is a practical work group who help Avon Wildlife Trusts to manage its reserves in the Gordano Valley (between Portbury and Clevedon). Some of these reserves include Prior's Wood, Tickenham Hill, Weston Moor, Walton Common and more. The group meet one Sunday a month at programmed nature reserves to carryout work such as rhododendron clearance, scrub clearance, drystone walling, ragwort pulling, and more.

Download the Gordano Group work programme (word doc)

Gordano Conservation Group Leaders

The group  needs more volunteer leaders - First aid, health and safety, and leadership skills training provided.

Weston-Super-Mare Practical Group

A small group of volunteers meets to manage the two nature reserves of Hellenge Hill and Purn Hill south of Weston Super Mare on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. They carry out a range of management from controlling scrub trees and brambles in the winter, to carrying out monitoring and surveying of the wildlife through the summer months.

Brown's Folly Practical Group

An active group of volunteers on site who meet most Mondays at Brown's Folly near Bath, and need help with their tasks such as ensuring the paths are free of fallen trees, thinning out non-native trees and generally maintaining the nature reserve.

For any nature reserve volunteering opportunities, please get in touch with Sarah van der Meer (Volunteering Officer) on 0117 9177 7270 or e-mail: sarahvandermeer@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

People and Wildlife

Planning & Policy Assistant

The Planning and Policy Officer at the Trust facilitates the delivery of the planning and policy work programme, including responding to major planning applications and planning and other policy documents. Targeted campaigns are run on contentious planning issues as capacity allows. We are in need of volunteers to aid the Trust with all areas of this work.  

Download a role description here.

If you are interested please email a CV and covering letter to Sian Parry (Planning and Policy Officer), sianparry@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Community Action Team Volunteers
The People and Wildlife Programme have now set up a regular volunteering opportunity on Thursday's to help support AWT's community projects around Bristol. Activities could range from constructing a herb spiral at North Street Green, Bedminster to hedgelaying and management of our reserve on Brandon Hill.

We provide transport to site, all necessary tools, training and refreshments. 

We welcome people of any ability so if you have a disability or maybe English as a second language and would like more information please get in touch. For further information please contact Kelly Bray (People & Wildlife Community Action Officer) on 0117 917 7270 or email kellybray@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Community Volunteer Support Assistants

The People and Wildlife team are looking for volunteers to help support various volunteer groups in practical conservation.

Download a role description here.

For further information please contact Kelly Bray (People & Wildlife Community Action Officer) on0117 917 7270 or email kellybray@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Community Engagement Volunteers

The  People and Wildlife Team run a range of projects, events and activities to engage and encourage people to appreciate and care for nature. There has been a great response and interest from the communities in Bedminster, Hartcliffe and Withy wood. We are looking for volunteers to help support and develop further projects in this area.  

Download a role description here.

If you are interested in this role but do not live in South Bristol then please still get in contact as there maybe other opportunities near you.

Interested?  For further information please contact Kelly Bray (People & Wildlife Community Action Officer) on 0117 917 7270 or email kellybray@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Portbury Wharf Community Volunteers

Would you like to help out at the new Portbury Wharf nature reserve, inspiring the local community about the new reserve, educating the next generation about wildlife, or helping with wildlife events?

If this appeals, then please get in touch with Neil Hutton (Portbury Wharf Community Officer) on 01275 817710 at the Portbury Wharf office or e-mail neilhutton@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Conservation

No opportunities at present, please check back.

Communications and Development

No opportunities at present, please check back again.

Events

Volunteer Speakers

If you have an interest in wildlife, are confident about making presentations and like meeting new people, you could join our team of speakers who travel to a variety of groups, including special interest groups, clubs and community associations. For further information please ring Judy Copeland on Wednesday at the Trust Office on 0117 917 7270 or e-mail on judycopeland@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.