Volunteering in the Countryside

Why volunteer?

• Help improve your local wildlife habitats and make a real difference to the animals and plants that live there.
• Meet new people interested in looking after the countryside.
• Conservation volunteering is a great way of keeping fit, getting fresh air and relieving stress.

All tools, protective equipment and supervision are provided by the countryside rangers. They will also explain how to use hand tools safely and give the reasons for the work being carried out.  Most importantly, they will provide tea and coffee (please bring your own lunch).

Who can become a volunteer?

Everyone is welcome to come along and help us with our conservation tasks, but  under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.

No experience is needed, just plenty of enthusiasm and some elbow grease.

New volunteers are always welcome. 

Please do not attend any of our volunteer sessions if you have symptoms of COVID-19. This includes the symptoms of cough, fever, and loss of taste and smell, but also more generic cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, and headache. We will provide hand sanitiser which we encourage you to use during our volunteer sessions.

What to expect

Spring and summer

Tasks include:

•     removing invasive plants by hand such as ragwort, himalayan balsam and bracken
•     improving paths
•     creating steps
•     installing seats for visitors
•     litter-picking
•     hay-making

Autumn and winter

Tasks include:

•     hedge-laying 
•     coppicing (cutting down poles of hazel and chestnut to regenerate woodland)
•     pulling out stray Scots pine sapling
•     removing gorse and birch on heathland
•     planting trees
•     clearing ponds of excess vegetation

Register as a volunteer

Before becoming an Waverley Countryside Volunteer, you will need to register as a volunteer

Register as a volunteer

More information

To find out more, please contact the Parks and Countryside team, email parks&countryside@waverley.gov.uk or call 01483 523394.

Check out the Waverley countryside locations for more information on our activities and when they take place.

Volunteer sessions normally take place every Wednesday morning from 9:00am – 12:30pm to assist in the management in this historic deer park. Meet at 9am at the locations below, parking can be found at the main car park on Folly Hill (GU9 0AU). Sessions led by Nick.

Dates and tasks are subject to change – please check with site noticeboards or the ranger beforehand by e-mailing nick.macfarlane@waverley.gov.uk

Meeting point map

The map available via the link below will help you find the meeting points each week.

Farnham Park map

Tasks and dates 2025-26

Wednesday 3 September

Vegetation clearance: Vegetation clearance around trees to give them more space to grow and develop.

Meet on the eastern path, north of Sidney’s Glade (H10, w3w///places.term.hiding)

Wednesday 10 September

Vegetation clearance: Vegetation clearance around trees to give them more space to grow and develop.

Meet on the eastern path, north of Sidney’s Glade (H10, w3w///places.term.hiding)

Wednesday 17 September

Woodland glade management: Cutting vegetation and saplings to maintain an open sunny glade.

Meet on the eastern path, near Sidney’s Glade, (F10, w3w///limes.angle.doll)

Wednesday 24 September

Woodland glade management: Cutting vegetation and saplings to maintain an open sunny glade.

Meet at Aubrey’s Pond/Aspen Glade (H9, w3w///weekday.flamingo.august)

Wednesday 1 October

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at the Ranger’s Field (G4, w3w///presented.agreeing.indeed)

Wednesday 8 October

Scrub clearance: Clearing encroaching scrub to restore an area of chalk grassland.

Meet at St. James’ Avenue Quarry (B8, w3w///loans.lowest.orders)

Wednesday 15 October

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance around trees to give them more space to grow and develop.

Meet at Rutter’s Field (M5, w3w///surveyed.crinkled.uncouth)

Wednesday 22 October

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Roger’s Arboretum (E3, w3w///deprives.paving.staining)

Wednesday 29 October

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Roger’s Arboretum (E3, w3w///deprives.paving.staining)

Wednesday 5 November

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Roger’s Arboretum (E3, w3w///deprives.paving.staining)

Wednesday 12 November

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Royal Pond (I8, w3w///satin.suiting.flamed)

Wednesday 19 November

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Carron Pond (H3, w3w///cowering.driven.eminent). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 26 November

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Deer Pond (I5, w3w/// parkland.outbid.loft). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 3 December

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at College Copse (E8, w3w///flank.scarcely.movies). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 10 December

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at College Copse (E8, w3w///flank.scarcely.movies). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 17 December

Vegetation clearance and Christmas bash: Clearing scrub and thinning young trees. A Christmas lunch of jacket potatoes cooked on the bonfire will be provided.

Meet at College Copse (E8, w3w/// flank.scarcely.movies). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 24 December

No task today – Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 31 December

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at College Copse (E8, w3w///flank.scarcely.movies). Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 7 January 2026

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Oast House Marsh (K8, w3w///flitting.hopes.brass)

Wednesday 14 January

Vegetation management: Clearance of vegetation around trees to give them space to develop.

Meet at Oast House Meadow South (I9, w3w///dizzy.untrained.craft)

Wednesday 21 January

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Ruperts Glade, west of stream (J8, w3w///conforms.mistress.fidget)

Wednesday 28 January

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Halfway Glade (L8, w3w///yield.crest.guests)

Wednesday 4 February

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at the east of Bishop’s Paddock (L1, w3w///reverted.trendy.victor)

Wednesday 11 February

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at the east of Bishop’s Paddock (L1, w3w///reverted.trendy.victor)

Wednesday 18 February

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at the Thorny Lea (M5, w3w///surveyed.crinkled.uncouth)

Wednesday 25 February

Vegetation management: Vegetation clearance and collecting.

Meet at Central Pasture (K4, w3w///mega.guises.marginal)

Volunteer sessions normally take place every Wednesday from 10am-3pm, except for the second Wednesday of the month when we instead work at Mare Hill Common. Meet at 10am at the Frensham Great Pond visitor centre off Bacon Lane, GU10 2QB, SU 845 406, unless otherwise specified in the listing.

Tasks and dates 2025-26

Wednesday 3 September

Pond vegetation clearance: We will be working at the outflow of the Great Pond, removing reeds and cutting back sightlines over the pond.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 17 September

Bridleway maintenance: We will be cutting back various bridleways across the site to allow better access for horses.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 24 September

Willow coppicing: We will be coppicing selected willow around the Great Pond to maintain sightlines whilst providing renewed habitat for bankside wildlife.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 1 October

Scrub clearance: We will be starting annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout October we will be working on the east side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 15 October

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common. Throughout October we will be working on the east side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 22 October

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout October we will be working on the east side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 29 October

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common. Throughout October we will be working on the east side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 5 November

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout November we will be working on the west side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 19 November

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common. Throughout November we will be working on the west side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 26 November

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout November we will be working on the west side of the Kings Ridge, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 3 December

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common. Throughout December and January we will be working north of the Great Pond, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 17 December

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout December and January we will be working north of the Great Pond, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 24 December

No task today. Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 31 December

No task today. Happy New Year!

Wednesday 7 January 2026

Task moved to Mare Hill.

Wednesday 21 January

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout December and January we will be working north of the Great Pond, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 28 January

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common. Throughout December and January we will be working north of the Great Pond, clearing gorse and scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10am at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off around the site.

Wednesday 4 February

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout February we will be working on the Flashes, clearing scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10:30am at Axe Pond, SU 867 402m, w3w///claw.appendix.mentioned before heading off to the work site.

Wednesday 18 February

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout February we will be working on the Flashes, clearing scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10:30am at Axe Pond, SU 867 402m, w3w///claw.appendix.mentioned before heading off to the work site.

Wednesday 25 February

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common. Throughout February we will be working on the Flashes, clearing scrub to maintain the open heathland habitat.

Meet 10:30am at Axe Pond, SU 867 402m, w3w///claw.appendix.mentioned before heading off to the work site.

We are running a few weekend sessions on these historic water meadows in the heart of Godalming. Sessions led by Lucie.

Tasks and Dates 2025

Saturday 13 September

Rush management: Cutting rush to stop it spreading at the expense of other species.

Meet at 10am at the vehicle entrance to Overgone Meadow, behind Godalming Funeral Service, Bridge Road, GU7 3DT, SU 973 442, w3w//every.camp.drove

Saturday 11 October

Bramble Clearance: Scalloping bramble to increase edge habitat and prevent it from spreading into the flood meadow.

Meet at 10am at Farncombe Boat House kissing gate entrance onto Almshouse meadow, GU7 1NH, SU 981 445, w3w/// cost.degree.ritual

Saturday 8 November

Bramble Clearance: Scalloping bramble to increase edge habitat and prevent it from spreading into the flood meadow.

Meet at 10am at the kissing gate behind Godalming United Church, GU7 3DU, or at the work location on Catteshall meadow, SU 976 440, w3w/// early.hers.expert

All tasks are 10am – 3pm unless otherwise stated, though there is no requirement to stay all day. Meet at the small car park off Roke Lane, Witley, GU8 5NZ, SU 936 399, w3w///once.convinced.ruled. Tools are provided, as are tea and coffee.

Tasks and dates 2025-26

Wednesday 10 September

Grassland management: We will be carrying out an end-of-summer cut of an area of acid grassland, and then raking up the cuttings. This cut will ensure that tall grasses do not shade out the uncommon and delicate plants which are found in this area. Once this is completed, we will clear a clump of invasive rhododendron, cut back vegetation from the road, and litter pick the area.

Wednesday 8 October

Heather cutting and scrub clearance: Cutting and raking strips of heather to encourage fresh growth and increase the structural diversity of the heathland, and also clearing surrounding scrub.

Wednesday 12 November

Scrub clearance: Clearing young self-set trees from the valuable heathland habitat to prevent them taking over at the expense of heathers and grasses.

Sunday 7 December

Cut your own Christmas tree! We will spend the morning between 10:00 and 13:00 clearing scrub from the heathland. You will then be free to select, cut, and take away your own Scots pine Christmas tree. There is no charge but places are limited and booking is essential. Bookings will close on Friday 28 November. You are required to attend the mornings scrub clearance session to get a tree.

To book a place please e-mail Vicky at vicky.keller@waverley.gov.uk

Wednesday 10 December

Scrub clearance: Clearing scrub and small trees from the heathland to maintain this valuable habitat in an optimal condition for the rare wildlife which depend on it. A Christmas lunch of jacket potatoes cooked on the bonfire will be provided.

Please book in advance to reserve your potato by emailing vicky.keller@waverley.gov.uk

Wednesday 7 January 2026 (extra date)

Scrub clearance: An additional day of scrub clearance to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the rare species associated with it.

Wednesday 14 January

Scrub clearance: Continuing with clearing invading scrub and small trees from the valuable heathland habitat to preserve its open character.

Wednesday 11 February

Scrub clearance: Our final day of clearing scrub and small trees from the heathland before the specialist heathland birds begin to nest, and wildlife moves in to the newly-restored habitat.

Tasks and dates 2026

Sunday 8 February

Cherry laurel clearance: We will be clearing a stand of invasive cherry laurel to prevent it spreading into a recently coppiced area of woodland.

Meet 10am at the eastern-most of the three laybys on Lower Hanger Road, GU27 1LU, SU 876 329, w3w///punks.sushi.rainwater

Session led by Vicky

Volunteer sessions take place on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, from 10am -3pm. Sessions led by Lucie.

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Tasks and dates 2025-26  

Wednesday 10 September

Post and rail fencing: Replacing the post and rail fencing in the car park

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, TQ 036 462, w3w///sharpness.donates.workroom

Wednesday 24 September

Post and rail fencing: Replacing the post and rail fencing in the car park

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, TQ 036 462, w3w///sharpness.donates.workroom

Wednesday 8 October

Scrub Clearance: We will be removing Scots pine and silver birch to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 036 464, w3w:///yawned.allies.testers

Wednesday 22 October

Scrub clearance: We will be removing Scots pine and silver birch to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 035 464, w3w:///vans.upholding.truck

Wednesday 5 November (extra date)

Fungi foray: We will be joined by the West Weald Fungus Recording Group to conduct a fungi survey across Blackheath.

Meet at 10:30am (note later starting time) at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, TQ 036 462 w3w:///sharpness.donates.workroom

Wednesday 12 November

Scrub clearance: Removing Scots pine and silver birch to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location, or at the work location TQ 035 464, w3w:///vans.upholding.truck

Wednesday 26 November

Scrub clearance: Removing Scots pine, silver birch and European gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 0334 457, w3w:///flanks.national.conceals

Saturday 6 December

Cut your own Christmas tree: Help us to remove Scots pine, silver birch and gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here. In return for your help you are welcome to take home a Scots pine for Christmas! Christmas treats will be available and Christmas attire is welcomed!

Booking is essential – to book a space please e-mail Lucie at lucie.poole@waverley.gov.uk

Wednesday 17 December

Scrub clearance: We will remove Scots pine, birch and gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here. To celebrate Christmas and all the hard work of the volunteers, we will have a lunch of jacket potatoes and beans. You are also welcome to take home a Scots pine Christmas tree.

Meet at 10am at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, or at the work location TQ 0334 457, w3w///flanks.national.conceals

Wednesday 24 December

No task today. Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 14 January 2026

Scrub clearance: Removing Scots pine, silver birch and European gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 034 457, w3w:///flanks.national.conceals

Wednesday 28 January

Scrub clearance: Coppicing gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here, and reduce fire risk.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 039 461, w3w:///whirlpool.deposits.tailing

Wednesday 11 February

Scrub clearance: Removing Scots pine, silver birch and gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 039 460, w3w:///yards.contoured.decoder

Friday 25 February

Scrub clearance: Removing Scots pine, birch and gorse to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here.

Meet at 10am at the Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, or at the work location TQ 042 460, w3w:///refills.vineyard.massive

We are running a couple of weekend sessions to maintain this village pond.

Tasks and dates 2025

Saturday 25 October

Flag iris and bull rush clearance: Removing clumps of flag iris and bull rush from the pond to create some open water.

Meet at 10am at the pond on Ewhurst Green Pond, GU6 7SG, TQ 095 390, w3w///shrug.factually.worked

Saturday 22 November

Flag iris and bull rush clearance: We will be collecting and taking away the vegetation previously removed and coppicing willow and clearing bramble from the pond edge.

Meet at 10am at the pond on Ewhurst Green Pond, GU6 7SG, TQ 095 390, w3w///shrug.factually.worked

Volunteer sessions take place in this much valued urban greenspace on the first and third Tuesday of the month between 10:00am – 1:00pm. Sessions led by Lucie.

Upcoming tasks and dates 2025-26    

Tuesday 2 September

No task today.

Tuesday 16 September

Signage installation: We will be installing an interpretation panel for the newly-planted community orchard and ID plaques for the orchard trees.

Meet 10am at the community orchard, near the end of Rydelands, GU6 7DX

Tuesday 14 October (please note change of date)

Pond vegetation management: Coppicing bank-side willows to allow more light to reach the pond. We will also cut scrub back from the pondside path, and carry out maintenance to the post and rail fencing around the pond.

Meet 10am at the pond by Kiln Copse, Summerlands, GU6 7BW

Tuesday 28 October

Spring bulb planting: Planting native spring bulbs in the community orchard to provide early nectar sources for invertebrates.

Meet 10am at the community orchard, near the end of Rydelands, GU6 7DX

Tuesday 4 November

No task today.

Tuesday 18 November

Cranleigh Common pond restoration: We will reduce the amount of vegetation in and around one of the ponds on Cranleigh Common.

Meet 10am at the pond on Cranleigh High Street by the Cranleigh Cricket Club pavilion, GU6 8SU, w3w///single.regulates.likewise

Tuesday 2 December

Hedge planting: Planting a native hedgerow with the help of the council’s community development team.

Meet 10am at the end of Rydelands, GU6 7DX

Tuesday 16 December

Hedge planting: Planting a native hedgerow with the help of the Council’s community development team.

Meet 10am at the end of Rydelands, GU6 7DX

Tuesday 6 January 2026

Scrub clearance: Cutting back scrub around the bench by the community orchard. We will also carry out a wassailing event, a traditional English custom to bless the fruit trees.

Meet 10am at the community orchard, near the end of Rydelands, GU6 7DX

Tuesday 20 January

Scrub clearance: Clearing holly and bramble from the woodland, and then using the cuttings to top up a dead hedge.

Meet at 10am at the entrance to Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE

Tuesday 4 February

Scrub clearance: Clearing holly and bramble from the woodland, and then using the cuttings to top up a dead hedge.

Meet at 10am at the entrance to Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE

Tuesday 17 February

Scrub clearance: Clearing holly and bramble from the woodland, and then using the cuttings to top up a dead hedge.

Meet at 10am at the entrance to Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE

Tasks and dates 2026

Sunday 18 January

Holly clearance: We will be clearing stands of dense holly to encourage other trees to germinate and increase the diversity of habitats for wildlife.

Meet 10am at the corner of Clifton Close, off Boundstone Road, Farnham, GU10 4TP, SU 832 437, w3w///economics.looks.slouched.

Session led by Vicky.

Tasks and dates 2025

Saturday 16 November

Holly clearance: We will be clearing stands of dense holly and invasive rhododendron to give other woodland trees and plants more space and light.

Meet 10am at the small parking area off Old Compton Lane, Farnham, GU9 8EG, SU 859 462, w3w///vision.poems.plenty

Session led by Vicky

Tasks and dates 2025

Sunday 17 November

Scrub clearance: We will be coppicing scrub to prevent it encroaching onto flower-rich grassland and increase the diversity of habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.

Meet 10am at the noticeboard at the end of the lane from the Bluebell pub, GU10 4EX, SU 822 410, w3w///shipyards.mandate.upsetting

Session led by Vicky

Tasks and dates 2025

No current tasks

Meet at 10am at the pond along Tennyson’s Ridge, off the five ways junction between Scotland Lane and Haste Hill, Haslemere, GU27 3SY, w3w///early.straddled.gains, SU 911 320. 

Session led by Vicky.

Tasks and dates 2025

Sunday 19 October

Cherry laurel clearance: We will be cutting back invasive cherry laurel to prevent it encroaching at the expense of native woodland plants.

Meet 10am at the car park off the northern side of the Elstead Road, GY8 6AY, SU 935 446, w3w:///prepares.prospered.neon

Session led by Vicky