ARC has over 80 reserves spread across the UK and volunteers are integral to helping manage these. Our volunteers regularly get involved with the conservation and restoration of species and endangered habitats on sites in Dorset, Surrey and North Wales, working alongside our Field Staff. You can also get involved in practical tasks through our regional projects 

Regular practical tasks are a great way to get outdoors, meet likeminded people and help manage you local reserve for wildlife. We offer mid week and weekend tasks which normally run from 10am till around 3-4 pm throughout the year. Tools, training and light refreshments are provided; volunteers just need to turn up dressed for the weather and with enthusiasm and lunch. Toilets though, can be few and far between...

The majority of our reserves are open habitats like heathlands, meadows and dunescapes as these are the best for reptiles and amphibians in Britain. This means we need to keep tree cover down and our winter work is mostly removing small scrub (trees and bushes) to maintain the open nature of our reserves, this can include a bonfire which is great on chilly day but can be smokey! In spring and summer tasks are a mixture of construction (fences, gates, steps), survey, bare ground creation (for sand lizards to lay eggs, invertebrates and micro plants) and hay cuts.

There is something on task for all abilities and ages, children are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. For those looking to progress there are opportunities to improve your management skills and knowledge through training and experience.

Take a look at the banner video above, filmed and edited by ARC volunteer Dave Meyers, showing what it's like to do practical conservation volunteering with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Please see our events pages for details of upcoming task dates or contact one of our friendly volunteer co-ordinators:

DORSET: Richard Sharp
m: 07810 770 565
e: [email protected]

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NORTH WALES: Mandy Cartwright & Bronwyn Dennis
e: [email protected]

SURREY: Rob Free:
m: 07810 184 503
e: [email protected]