Waverley Borough Council - Countryside Volunteering

Waverley's countryside rangers lead practical conservation tasks across the borough, all year round, with the help of our dedicated volunteers. Together, they are involved in the management of many of Waverley's fantastic open spaces.

Last year volunteers gave us an incredible 2738 days of their time - a remarkable achievement which is greatly appreciated by our staff and site users.

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 calling 01252 717047.

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 2024

Wednesday 24 April

Path construction: Building a new path and maintaining a nearby ditch

Meet at Oast House Lane gate (J10).

Wednesday 1 May

Path clearance: Clearing vegetation from next to a path and litter picking.

Meet at St. James’ Avenue (B8 – area.luck.maker)

Wednesday 8 May

Path and fence clearance: Cutting vegetation back from a fence, gates and paths.

Meet at Royal Pond (I8 – cared.risks.suiting)

Wednesday 15 May

Path maintenance: Cutting back vegetation from paths and adding woodchip surfacing.

Meet at Farnham Park Drive Entrance (N5 – villager.hang.honest)

Wednesday 22 May

Bracken control and path maintenance: Pulling up bracken and improving paths

Meet at Raspberry Field (N6 – tweeted.region.dare

Wednesday 29 May

Bracken control and path maintenance: Pulling up bracken and improving paths

Meet at College Copse, south – Whitebottom (E8 – focal.hook.minus)

Wednesday 5 June

Invasive species control: Searching for and pulling out invasive Himalayan balsam

Meet at Halfway Glade (L8 – scary.built.curl)