Volunteering Opportunities

The Rangers invite you to informal, fun and rewarding practical days to enhance our local habitats for wildlife and visitors. These days enable you to meet new people, learn a variety of skills and exercise in the fresh air. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm. Wear suitable old clothes and stout footwear. Families are welcome as well as dogs under supervision. An adult must accompany children under 16 years. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Monday conservation volunteers

Volunteers join us on Mondays to survey and record the diverse wildlife of the Borough including woodmice, barn owls, and dragonflies.

Wednesday conservation volunteers

Volunteers join us on Wednesdays to assist with many practical tasks, such as hedge laying, coppicing and path construction.

Volunteer opportunities for groups

Specific conservation tasks can be organised for groups. A practical day out with the Countryside Service can be a great team-building exercise whilst giving something back to the community. Groups we have worked with include Cisco Systems, Scout and Church groups and the Shinfield Shambles Morris Dancers.

No charge is made for these days.

How to get involved

If you are interested in any of these days, please call the Community Ranger on 0118 934 2016 or email countryside@wokingham.gov.uk.

Friends of Groups

Our Highwood, Heathlake, Lavell’s Lake Local Nature Reserves - LNR - and Keephatch, all have an active social friends group. They meet regularly to raise issues and discuss the management of the site, as well as helping the Countryside Service with the practical maintenance of the reserves. All tasks are ranger-led with tools and instruction provided. Everybody is welcome and no experience is necessary.

For more details please contact the Community Ranger on 0118 934 2016.

Highwood LNR work party

Details of the Highwood LNR work party
Dates	Time	Meeting point	Cost
Sunday 13 January Sunday 6 April	10am – 1pm	By main signboard on Kingfisher Drive, Woodley.	Free

Heathlake LNR SSSI work parties

Details of the Highwood LNR work party
Dates	Time	Meeting point	Cost
Sunday 21 October Sunday 10 February	10am – 1pm	Main car park off Nine Mile Ride	Free

Friends of Lavell’s Lake LNR work parties

Friends of Lavell’s Lake are a registered charity.

Details of the Highwood LNR work party
Dates	Time	Meeting point	Cost
Sunday 27 January Sunday 24 February Sunday 16 March Sunday 27 April Sunday 25 May	10am until lunchtime	4th Sunday of the month at Sandford Lane car park opposite Black Swan Sailing Club.	Free

Friends of Keephatch LNR Work Parties

Details of the Highwood LNR work party
Dates	Time	Meeting point	Cost
Saturday 9 February	10am to 1pm	By pond Willowherb Close, Keephatch, Wokingham.	Free

The task details notified by poster on site.