Volunteers
Volunteering and Conservation on the Common
Volunteers play a vital role in the conservation work of the Common. There is a great sense of camaraderie and achievement when out on the Common, carrying out practical tasks. At the end of the session, it is very satisfying to see how much has been achieved by the team. Working in the open air and being physically active gives a great feeling of wellbeing, along with a friendly chat when it is break time with coffee and cake.
Please Note: we are not currently taking any new volunteers as we are heavily oversuscribed.
Why is this work important?
Much of the volunteer works involves removing scrub from the heathland to prevent it reverting to woodland. Approximately 85% of heathland in the UK has been lost to increasing urbanisation and changes in farming practices over the last 200 years. Once grazing on common land stopped, scrub pine and silver birch soon colonised the remaining heathland. The regular work done by volunteers is vital in maintaining this fragile habitat and the diverse plants, invertebrates, birds and reptiles which it supports.
Thank you for your interest in adult volunteering. We aren’t taking on any volunteers at the moment, as we are heavily oversubscribed. We hope you manage to find a suitable volunteering opportunity elsewhere.
Working in a different environment is helpful in team building and also serves to “give back” something to the local community. Many local companies benefit from the proximity of Horsell Common to engage in outdoor, physical work which can present quite a new challenge from the regular “desk Job”. Companies can spend the whole day working on the Common, clearing scrub pine and silver birch. There is plenty of parking at Heather Farm with a chance to enjoy lunch in Heather Farm Café. Tools and instruction are provided and the Senior Ranger is present throughout to supervise.
WWF wrote the following after spending one day working on the Common:
“Getting out in nature is vital for our physical and mental wellbeing. It helps us feel connected to our local environment and understand the important role it plays. Volunteering with the Horsell Common Preservation Society is a fantastic way to achieve all of these things and understand nature around us”.
“We recommend any local businesses give it a go!”.
Our normal programme is as follows:
Autumn and Winter (September to February):
A day out on the glorious open heath, removing tree saplings and other invasive shrubs
Maximum 15 delegates per day for safety
All equipment and training provided
Your group accompanied and guided by our Senior Ranger throughout the day
Cakes and flap jacks provided in the morning break
Price: £15 per delegate per day
Spring and Summer (March to August):
A day assembling nest boxes to help bird populations thrive
Maximum 15 delegates per day for safety
All equipment and training provided.
Your group accompanied and guided by our Senior Ranger throughout the day.
Cakes and flap jacks provided in the morning break
Depending on skills, each delegate gets to make approximately 3 to 4 nest boxes in a day – they keep one to put up in their garden, or another location of their choice, and we keep the rest to put up in our woodlands.
If there is time in the afternoon, delegates can do some woodland scrub clearance if they wish.
Price – £30 per delegate
D of E participants can do the “service” section of their award on the Common. In winter there is scrub clearance and in summer, litter picking. Parents must supervise and be responsible for their children, up to 16 years old.
Please complete this form and submit to us for more information on helping as part of the DofE scheme