2005 Is The Year Of The Volunteer,

a year-long celebration of the inspiring work volunteers do and a call to action to get more and more of us volunteering.

Volunteer with BTCV in the National Forest

BTCV is the UK’s largest practical conservation charity. Founded in 1959, it helps over 130,000 volunteers every year take hands-on action to improve both the rural and urban environment.

Locally BTCV works in partnership with the National Forest Company to create opportunities for individuals and communities to be involved in The National Forest and their local environment.

There are plenty of laughs, tea breaks and chatter as well as conservation work. BTCV provide all the training, tools, tea,coffee and biscuits. Just bring a packed lunch, sturdy footwear, waterproofs and wear clothes that can get dirty. Give it a go!!

See below for the many ways to get involved: contact Gemma Adams on 01530 277855 or email for further details on any of the schemes.

Tuesday National Forest Volunteers

Every Tuesday the BTCV National Forest Volunteers venture out to various sites in and around the Forest to carry out conservation tasks on a range of rural and urban sites. Catch the minibus at 9:30am from Swadlincote Ski Centre or 10:00am at Snibston Discovery Park at Coalville; return between 4 - 4:30pm.

Volunteer Officer Programme

Join The National Forest BTCV team as a Volunteer Officer and learn practical conservation and leadership skills that could be a vital step towards a career in the environmental sector. After an initial training period you will be working alongside BTCV staff to organise, promote and deliver the varied programme of practical conservation work.

Rosliston BTCV Volunteers - New Volunteers Wanted!

This new volunteer group will be operating from Rosliston Forestry Centre, to carry out a range of conservation work on the forest site at Rosliston and also around The National Forest in South Derbyshire. The group will go out the first Thursday of each month, with a minibus pick-up at Ashby and Swadlincote on the way to Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Natural Break Conservation Holidays

Held at Daniel Hayes, an ancient settlement in The National Forest with written records dating back to the 12th century. The site is now undergoing a major programme aimed at restoring its historic landscape. Participants will receive certified BTCV Institute training in the relevant conservation skills on each course, and will also have the chance to visit places of interest in the wider Forest area.

July 22nd - 29th 2005

Get involved in this grand pond and dam creation project. Learn the skills required in pond creation and traditional lime mortar walling to construct the pond dam, and also green woodworking to create a rustic sluice gate.

September 9th - 16th 2005

Take part in a week’s green woodworking and cleft fencing project. Learn traditional green woodworking skills and use them to construct a cleft fence (rustic style), and garden furniture.

Practical conservation skills training

Learn a completely new conservation or traditional skill, or brush up on existing talents. BTCV Institute for Environmental Conservation offers a range of practical conservation training courses, including charcoal burning, hedgelaying, lime mortar walling, various woodland crafts such as willow weaving and green woodworking. Contact Gemma as above for the full listing of courses.