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Countryside volunteering

Waverley's Countryside Rangers lead practical conservation tasks across the borough, all year round, with the help of the Waverley Countryside 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.

Volunteering resumed

Volunteer COVID-19 guidance.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

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. 

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.

Volunteering tasks have now resumed 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

Volunteer sessions normally take place every Wednesday from 9:30am – 12:30pm. 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. Outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear.

Meeting point map

The image below will help you find the meeting points each week.

Farnham Park map grid for volunteers

Download map

Download an image of the meeting point map:  

Farnham Park meeting point map

 

 

 

Wednesday 21 July

We will be removing invasive species and carrying out maintenance to paths (south)

Meet at the Yo-yo Pond (F9)

Wednesday 28 July

We will be removing invasive ragwort from the hay meadows

Meet near Parliament Pond (L2)

Wednesday 4 August

Invasive species removal and path maintenance

Meet at the Ranger’s House cattle gate (H6)

Wednesday 11 August

Invasive species removal and path maintenance

Meet at the new coppice in the south east corner of White Bottom (E10)

Wednesday 18 August

We will be removing invasive species and carrying out maintenance to paths

Meet at the Nutshell Lane entrance (M8)

Wednesday 25 August

We will be removing invasive species and carrying out maintenance to paths

Meet at the Motorway Bridge (K6)

Volunteering tasks have now resumed 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

Volunteer sessions normally take place every Wednesday from 10am-3pm. Meet at 10am at the Frensham Great Pond Car Park off Bacon Lane, GU10 2QB, unless otherwise specified in the listing. Sessions led by Darren.

 

Volunteering tasks have now resumed

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

Volunteer sessions from 10am - 3pm usually take place on the second Wednesday of the month. Meet 10am at the small car park off Roke Lane, Witley, GU8 5NZ (SU 936 399). Sessions led by Vicky.

Wednesday 4 August (extra date)

Path improvements: We will dig some drainage channels to divert water from a wet section of path, and then top up the surfacing of other paths which have a tendency to get muddy.

Wednesday 11 August

Turkey oak removal: We will clear numerous small invasive Turkey oak saplings and clumps of dense young sycamore from the woodland to prevent them taking over at the expense of other species.

Volunteering tasks have now resumed

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

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

 

Volunteering tasks will resume in October

Volunteering tasks do not run at Summerlands over the spring and summer.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

These sessions are from 10am - 1pm. Meet 10:00 by the pond at Kiln Copse, Cranleigh, GU6 7BW. Sessions led by Vicky.

Volunteering tasks will resume in October.

Volunteering tasks do not run at Ten Acre Wood over the spring and summer.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

Volunteering tasks will resume in October

Volunteering tasks do not run at Compton Copse over the spring and summer.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

Volunteering tasks will resume in October

Volunteering tasks do not run at Bealeswood Common over the spring and summer.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information on government website

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