Conservation Volunteering Opportunities on Reserves
Help to keep wildlife sites at their best. Beginners welcome. Tools are supplied and training given.
Please contact organiser for details and latest dates. Wear clothing
that is appropriate for the weather conditions and stout footwear/wellies.
Please bring something to drink, a hat and sun block if the weather is hot.
Volunteers must be 18 or over
| Reservemmmm | Work parties | Contact |
| Amwell | When: Last Sunday each month from September to March. 9.30am-12.30pm. Work: Tasks include reedbed management, coppicing and pollarding willows, clearing ponds and much more. Meet: viewpoint/high point: Park on Amwell Lane and walk up track, over railway line and the canal - the viewpoint is in front of you. |
Jonathan Braggs (or Andrew Procter) 07881 585713 jonathan.braggs@tesco.net |
| Ashwell Quarry | When: Third Sunday each month 10am-1/1.30pm. Work: Autumn/winter work includes selective scrub clearance, occasional bonfires, cutting and raking up summer growth. In the late spring we might do some path work, steps etc and during the summer months we cut selective areas of vegetation to help restore the meadows. Meet: car park in Loves Lane - opposite the entrance to the reserve. |
Christine & Trevor James 01462 742684 chrisjames56@btinternet.com |
| Balls Wood | When: Third Sunday each month from September to March. 10am-1pm.
Work: The work programme is shared between the two reserves (HH and BW). Heathland and scrub management on the heath and coppicing/ride mangement in Balls Wood. Wear tough boots or wellies. Meet: 10am on the green beside the College Arms pub (previously the Jolly Pindar). Noticeboard will tell latecomers where to join the team. |
Paul Hewitt 07803 243687 |
| Cassiobury Park | When: Saturdays 10am-1pm Mondays 10am-1pm Work: Coppicing of willow, alder and ash; creation of dead hedges and habitat piles; channel and pond management; water meadow management including cutting, raking and creating compost heaps; control of invasive plants such as Himalayan Balsam and creation of new reed beds. Meet: Saturdays at Gade Avenue car park; Mondays at Iron Bridge. |
Nick Parkes 01923 223833 |
| Chorleywood Dell | Occasional work parties - call Brenda for more information. | Brenda Harold 01923 269956 |
| Danemead | When: Last Sunday each month from September to March. 10am-1pm. Work: Tasks include Scrub control, pollarding, boardwalk repair, maintenance & construction. Snack always provided for the tea/coffee break. Meet: 10am at Martin's Green car park on Cock Lane. |
Mick Velasco 01992 442004 |
| Fir & Pond Woods | When: Third Sunday each month 10am-1pm Work: General maintenance work in the woods, around the ponds and on the meadow. Clearing paths, managing holly overgrowth, clearing scrub from the meadow, repairing fences. Recovering the original extent of the meadow. Meet: lay-by opposite the Oshwall centre in Coopers Lane Road. |
David Gompertz 01707 657351 |
| Frogmore Meadow | When: No formal work party, but Gerald is happy to
be contacted if people are interested in helping
Work: cutting coarse unwanted vegetation, scrub growth, raking up, burning etc. |
Gerald Salisbury 01442 833232 |
| Gobions Wood | When: Every Sunday 9.30am-12pm. Work: For more info contact Iain Aitken on 01707 274494. Meet: entrance to GW next to 58 Blue Bridge Road, Brookmans Park. |
GW Trust - Bernard Spatz 01707 656135 |
| Hertford Heath | When: Third Sunday each month from September to March. 10am-1pm.
Work: The work programme is shared between the two reserves (HH and BW). Heathland and scrub management on the heath and coppicing/ride mangement in Balls Wood. Wear tough boots or wellies. Meet: 10am on the green beside the College Arms pub (previously the Jolly Pindar). Noticeboard will tell latecomers where to join the team. |
Jackie Clarke 07709 036235 |
| King’s Meads | When: 2nd Sunday of each month 10am-1pm
Work: Tasks are varied and include scrub clearance, reed management and fencing. Meet: Confirm with Ron beforehand. |
Ron McMurray 07960 717446 or 01707 257486 |
| Lemsford Spring | When: First Sunday each month 9.30am-12.30pm
Work: Tasks during autumn/winter (Sept-March) are habitat management based which is mainly lagoon clearance/cress raking, willow pollarding and other tree work. In the Summer months we carry out 'estate work'; mainly path mowing, buildings and fence maintenance, plus some meadow cutting and raking. Volunteers should bring wellies with them. Coffee is provided during a short break at 11:00. Meet: on arriving at the Reserve Gate take the left-hand path 150 yards to the classroom. |
Barry Trevis 01707 335517 |
| Patmore Heath | When: Last Sunday each month from September to April. 10am-12pm.
Work: includes scrub and bramble clearance and burning brash to allow the rarer heathland habitat to flourish. Wear stout footwear. Meet: 10am by notice board. |
Gavin Vicary 01279 771933 |
| Purwell Ninesprings | When: First Sunday each month 10am-1pm.
Work: Meadow cutting and raking together with scrub clearance to maintain medow character and prevent encroachment. Ditch maintenance including silt removal and cutting back overhanging vegetation. Also path maintenance and invasive species clearance. Meet: 10am at junction of Purwell Lane and Kingswood Avenue. |
Martin Ketcher 01462 432198 |
| Rye Meads | When: First Sunday each month from September to March. 10am-1pm.
Work: Tasks include reedbed management, coppicing and pollarding willows, clearing pools and much more. Meet: Meet at Visitor Centre or Stanstead Innings - please check with Mick before attending. |
Mick Velasco 01992 442004 |
| Stanborough Reedmarsh | Occasional work parties - call Neale for more information. | Neale Holmes-Smith 01707 324313 |
| Stockers Lake + Springwell Reedbed | When: Usually first Sunday of month but ring in advance to confirm. | Ian & Jenny Watson 01923 282136 |
| Tewin Orchard & Hopkyns Wood | When: 9am-3pm, as and when needed. Contact Ron for more information.
Work: Tasks include general orchard maintenance, brush cutting, mowing, pruning and fruit picking according to the season. Meet: inside orchard in car park area. |
Ron McMurray 01707 257486 (mobile 07960 717446) |
| Tewinbury | When: 4th Sunday of month from September to March. 9.30am-1pm.
Meet: in layby (B1000) by Tewinbury Farm |
Robin Cole 01438 813403 |
| Wilstone Reservoir | When: 2nd Wednesdays of the month (intermittent)
Meet: Wilstone Reservoir car park. |
Les Cater 01296 661821 |
Link to Reserves Index and Map