A smiling volunteer carrying a large bundle of tree branches across a fen area in the Broads

Volunteering in the National Parks

feel closer - volunteers working to manage woodland in the North York Moors

Volunteers helping to conserve woodland in the North York Moors National Park

Many people get great enjoyment from our National Parks. If you want to 'put something back' or 'make a difference' why not get involved by volunteering alongside like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds?

Volunteers bring lots of enthusiasm, skills and interests. At the same time, they learn and discover new skills too. There's practical tasks like wall-building or hedge-laying. Some do wildlife surveys and conservation tasks, others are responsible for rights of way work and footpath maintenance. Volunteering can also mean leading walks for the public and helping visitors enjoy themselves.

Volunteering is a great way to gain a different experience of our National Parks and to contribute to something you care about.

If you have some time, no matter how smal, and the commitment to help us, follow the links below to find out more.

Conserve and share - the John Muir Award

If you want to put something back in to a wild place that you have discovered, and get recognised for your achievements try taking part in the John Muir Award.  The Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Lake District, Peak District, Snowdonia and Yorkshire Dales National Parks all have award providers to help you discover, explore, conserve and share to gain your award.

Volunteers planting new trees at Roughton Gill in the Lake District. © Val Corbett

Volunteers helped to plant 1000s of trees to create new woodlands in the Lake District National Park

A 'Tail' from Ian and Philippa, Exmoor volunteers:

"The construction of dormouse boxes might seem a bit daunting - you need sides with a sloping gable, a floor, a front, a back with a circular hole, spacer bars, drainage holes, a roof and a fastener.

So imagine our relief when we arrive to find all the pieces already cut to size! With some expert guidance we soon got the hang of it, whilst having an enjoyable (and amusing) time.

'We made about 20 bijou dormouse residences that morning. In the afternoon we walked up to Tarr Steps woods, with the National Park Ecologist and a Ranger, to fix the boxes to trees. They now await the arrival of their first residents!"

Further information

National Parks

Other organisations

looking after

Volunteers get up to all sorts!
From wildlife surveys, leading guided walks, repair work out in the park or warm and dry in an information centre or workshop. There's something to suit everyone!