Reserve Support volunteer
Volunteers are integral to the running of our London reserve and without their help we wouldn’t be able to maintain this amazing 105 acre wetland of international importance, with views across to the City. 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.
About this Opportunity
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 Tuesday Reserve Support 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 an ideal role for someone who has a can-do attitude and are happy to help us in all weathers, being 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. Main tasks include:
- 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 island scrapes, ditches and reed beds, ensuring that reserve water bodies are maintained and managed appropriately (boat use may be needed)
- operating agreed machinery safely in order to carry out management activities
- 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
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.
Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.
Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you'll love volunteering at WWT
- - Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
- - Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
- - Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
- - Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
- - Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
- - Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life
Practicalities
We look forward to hearing from you!
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About the Organisation
WWT London Wetland Centre
For Wetlands. For Life.
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?WWT London Wetland Centre WWT London Wetland Centre brings the countryside to London. Although close to the heart of the capital it is a haven of tranquility for both wildlife and people. The Centre holds the Gold Award for Green Business Tourism, and in 2012 was voted Britain's Favourite Nature Reserve in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.Volunteering at WWT London Wetland CentreVolunteers play a very important role in the life of the WWT. They do not take the place of paid staff, but they contribute to the success of WWT by assisting staff in nearly every department, so there are a wide range of opportunities available.These include welcoming our visitors, providing guided tours, maintaining and improving the grounds, recruiting new WWT members, gardening and horticulture, providing office support, getting creative with the Education team, and supporting our pioneering work on the Reserve. There is something for everyone!Although volunteers work without financial reward there are many other ways that they benefit from becoming a WWT volunteer. learning new skills, meeting new people, keeping fit and gaining experience in wildlife conservation are just a few. We provide volunteers with a WWT uniform, a discount in our café and shop, regular volunteer newsletters and support through inductions and training.All our current volunteer opportunities are advertised on our website and we recruit volunteers to specific roles. For each role we provide you with an indication of the activities and tasks involved, along with an outline of the skills you will need to carry it out in a role description.We ask prospective volunteers to specify which role they are applying for and how they match the requirements for the role when submitting an application. We do not accept speculative applications. For more information on how apply please visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/volunteer/
