The Woodland Trust is searching for volunteers to make a difference in their community and help people discover nature as Woodland Welcomers at woods across the UK.
Nature-lovers with a few hours to spare a week are being sought by the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity to meet and greet visitors at a wood in your area, helping them discover why the wood is so special and why we need to look after it for future generations.
“Woodland Welcomers will be vital eyes and ears on the ground, raising awareness of the importance of woodland and talking about the vital work of the Woodland Trust,” said Woodland Trust estate manager Ian Froggatt.
“It’s also great for people’s wellbeing, helping visitors get the most from their time in nature, enjoying fresh air and lovely scenery, while generating a sense of community around the site.”
Woodland experts will give volunteers all the training and support they need to welcome visitors, helping the local community to value and understand more about woods, trees and wildlife and in turn encouraging them to visit respectfully.
The Woodland Welcomers role is part of the ‘People and Woods: Getting better together’ project, which is funded by the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
The Woodland Trust has more than 500,000 members and supporters and cares for over 1,000 free, publicly accessible sites all over the UK.
And at the Trust’s largest site in England the scheme is already having an impact. Smithills Estate in Bolton is well known locally for its breath-taking views, bracing walks and abundant wildlife.
Recently appointed Woodland Welcomer Lawrence Marsh explained: “Smithhills is a good place for people to come – and it’s so busy. There is a lot of wildlife that rely on the habitats – the trees, the moorland and all the different species and the water courses that come through here. It’s the lifeblood of the area.
“At the weekend, this place can be absolutely packed with people, and we direct where to go. It’s a good group of people and there’s camaraderie amongst us all. You get to the end of the day, and you think, ‘we did something, we added to something’. I added to my own wellbeing, and I added to the estate as well.”
Fellow Smithills welcomer Pete Hargreaves added: “It’s good for you; trees are good for you. It makes me feel good giving something back to the Trust and the public.”
