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.

Volunteers also join us 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. The group meet 9.20am - 4.00pm.

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 Microsoft, National Grid, Scout and Church groups and the Shinfield Shambles Morris Dancers. A charge is made for these days.

How to get involved

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

Friends of Groups

Our Highwood, Heathlake, Keephatach and Lavell’s Lake reserves, 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 Local Nature Reserve Work Parties

Heathlake Local Nature Reserve SSSI Work Parties

Keephatch Work Parties 

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Local Nature Reserve Work Parties

These days are not rangeer-led. Friends of Lavell’s Lake are a registered charity.