Volunteering in the Countryside

Why volunteer?

• Help improve your local countryside for plants, animals and other wildlife. Many of these species are rare or threatened.
• Meet other people interested in looking after the countryside.
• It's a great way of keeping active, getting fresh air and calming your mind.

How does it work?

The countryside rangers supervise tasks and will:

• Provide all tools and protective equipment.
• Teach you how to safely use the tools. 
• Explain why the work is being done.
• Most importantly, provide tea and coffee (please bring your own lunch).

Who can become a volunteer?

Everyone can come along and help us with our conservation tasks. Previous experience is not required, and we can accommodate differing levels of fitness. You just need plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in. If you are under 16, you will need an adult with you.

New volunteers are always welcome. Before attending your first volunteer session, you will need to register.

What to expect

Spring and summer

Tasks include:

• removing invasive plants by hand such as ragwort, Himalayan balsam and bracken
• improving paths
• installing and repairing fences
• installing benches for visitors
• litter-picking
• hay-making
• wildlife-surveying

Autumn and winter

Tasks include:

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

Register as a volunteer

Before becoming a Waverley Countryside Volunteer, you will need to register.

Countryside volunteering registration form

More information

Please find our current countryside volunteer programme below. Our groups are all friendly and welcoming, and it is a great way to keep fit, get some fresh air, see new places and meet like-minded people.

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

To help you find meeting points, we have used What3Word (w3w) references in the listings below. What3Words is a website and free downloadable app which gives a 3-word reference for every 3 metre square in the country.

Volunteer sessions normally take place every Wednesday morning from 9:30am–12:30pm to assist in the management of this historic deer park. Meet at 9:30am at the locations specified in the listings. Parking can be found at the main car park on Graham Thorpe Drive, Folly Hill, GU9 0FL. Sessions led by Nick.

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

Grid locations are shown on this Farnham Park map.

Tasks and dates

Wednesday 2 September 2026

Bug habitat creation: Create ‘bug hotels’ along the Avenue by piling and stacking branches. We will also remove some low branches from trees.

Meet at the Avenue (C6, w3w///zaps.hulk.panics).

Wednesday 9 September 2026

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

Meet Raspberry Field (N6, w3w///nerd.steroids.thinking).

Wednesday 16 September 2026

Pond management: Thinning the water lilies on Carron Pond and maintaining the fence around it.

Meet at Carron Pond (H3, w3w///download.quietly.divisible).

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to restore the parkland landscape.

Meet at the concrete pad on southern slopes (C8, w3w///linen.slowly.space).

Wednesday 30 September 2026

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

Meet at Aubrey’s Pond (H9, w3w///kilt.club.processes).

Wednesday 7 October 2026

Path maintenance: Cutting back encroaching vegetation from paths and low overhanging branches.

Meet at Oast House steps (J9, w3w///ahead.torched.speeded).

Wednesday 14 October 2026

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

Meet at Sidney’s Glade (F10, w3w///limes.angle.doll).

Wednesday 21 October 2026

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

Meet at Queens Ride (G10, w3w///cities.ropes.lifted).

Wednesday 28 October 2026

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

Meet at Queens Ride (G10, w3w///cities.ropes.lifted).

Wednesday 4 November 2026

Hedge maintenance: Trimming and re-laying a hedge, and also creating habitat piles along The Avenue.

Meet at Queen Mothers Hedge (C9, w3w///laptop.talked.after).

Wednesday 11 November 2026

Hedge maintenance: Trimming and re-laying a hedge, and also creating habitat piles along The Avenue.

Meet at Queen Mothers Hedge (C8, w3w///fuels.friend.useful).

Wednesday 18 November 2026

Hedge maintenance: Trimming and re-laying a hedge, and also creating habitat piles along The Avenue.

Meet at Queen Mothers Hedge (C6, w3w///essential.giant.plotted).

Wednesday 25 November 2026

Hedge maintenance: Trimming and re-laying a hedge, and also creating habitat piles along The Avenue.

Meet at Queen Mothers Hedge (G10, w3w///cities.ropes.lifted).

Wednesday 2 December 2026

Path maintenance: Cutting back encroaching vegetation from paths and low overhanging branches.

Meet at Upper South View (A3, w3w///shred.ideas.mystified).

Wednesday 9 December 2026

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

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

Wednesday 16 December 2026

Glade management and Christmas lunch: Cutting vegetation and saplings to maintain and expand an open sunny glade. A Christmas lunch of jacket potatoes cooked on the bonfire will be provided.

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

Wednesday 23 December 2026

No task today – Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 30 December 2026

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to preserve the parkland landscape.

Meet at Brian Arnold’s bench (B2, w3w///veto.laminate,rapport).

Wednesday 6 January 2027

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

Meet at Rupert’ Glade, north of the Nadder stream (K8, w3w///zooms.squirts.cost).

Wednesday 13 January 2027

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

Meet at Rupert’s Glade, south of the Nadder stream (K7, w3w///guarded.gambles.avid).

Wednesday 20 January 2027

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to preserve the parkland landscape.

Meet at the double bridge on the central path (K7, w3w///vineyard.curls.remotest).

Wednesday 27 January 2027

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to preserve the parkland landscape.

Meet at the double bridge on the central path (K7, w3w///vineyard.curls.remotest). 

Wednesday 3 February 2027

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

Meet at Rutters (M5, w3w///newer.barman.bands).

Wednesday 10 February 2027

Vegetation clearance: Cutting back path edges and scrub, and also removing old fencing from a hedge.

Meet at Roger’s Arboretum (E3, w3w///limit.earphones.width).

Wednesday 17 February 2027

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to preserve the parkland landscape.

Meet on Castle slope (B1, w3w///storage.noses.croaking).

Wednesday 24 February 2027

Scrub clearance: Mow and cut scrub to preserve the parkland landscape.

Meet at the Rangers House car park (H1, w3w///overt.sober.repeated).

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 locations specified in the listings. Sessions led by Darren.

Tasks and dates

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Pond vegetation clearance: We will be cutting back reeds by the Great Pond outflow to help maintain sightlines across the water and ensure adequate flow of water out of the pond.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading to the work site (w3w///soaps.squad.vanish).

Wednesday 16 September 2026

Bankside coppicing: We will rejuvenate bankside trees by coppicing alder and willow to create sightlines across the water and maintain scrubby growth for bankside birds.

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

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Scrub clearance: We will be starting our annual scrub clearance on the common, clearing small trees to maintain the open heathland habitat. 

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///bring.fetching.parkway).

Wednesday 30 September 2026

Gorse clearance: We will be encouraging a varied habitat mosaic by clearing areas of degenerate gorse.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///bland.worm.reassured).

Wednesday 7 October 2026

Firebreak maintenance: We will be cutting back vegetation adjacent to a fire access point to ensure there is enough space for the emergency services to drive through.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///flocking.steadily.probe).

Wednesday 21 October 2026

Scrub clearance: Today we will be continuing the annual scrub clearance on the common, working on the eastern side of the King’s Ridge.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///conspire.fruits.marriage).

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Scrub clearance: We will be continuing with this season's scrub clearance to maintain the open heathland habitat, working on the eastern side of the Kings Ridge.  

Meet the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///demand.crumples.dockers).

Wednesday 4 November 2026

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common, cutting back gorse on the eastern side of the Kings Ridge.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///elastic.blinks.ferrying).

Wednesday 18 November 2026

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common, cutting back gorse on the western side of the Kings Ridge.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///promises.falters.compliant).

Wednesday 25 November 2026

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common, cutting back gorse on the western side of the Kings Ridge.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///swaps.nutrients.resembles).

Wednesday 2 December 2026

Gorse clearance: We will be continuing the annual gorse clearance on the common, cutting back gorse on the western side of the Kings Ridge.

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the work site (w3w///cheerily.extremely.blushes).

Wednesday 16 December 2026

Scrub clearance: We will continue this season’s scrub clearance on the common, cutting back young trees on the western side of the Kings Ridge. We will be taking a longer lunch break, celebrating the holiday season in customary fashion!

Meet at the Great Pond Visitors centre (GU10 2QB) before heading off to the worksite (w3w///taps.drainage.transmits).

Wednesday 23 December 2026

No task today. Happy Christmas!

Wednesday 30 December 2026

No task today. Happy New Year!

Wednesday 6 January 2027

Task moved to Mare Hill.

Wednesday 20 January 2027

Rhododendron clearance: We will clear invasive bankside rhododendron to prevent it spreading into valuable heathland habitat. 

Meet at Axe Pond (w3w///tumblers.clumped.rebirth) before heading off to the work site (w3w///magnets.engraving.eaten).

Wednesday 27 January 2027

Rhododendron clearance: We will clear invasive bankside rhododendron to prevent it spreading into valuable heathland habitat. 

Meet Axe Pond (w3w///tumblers.clumped.rebirth) before heading off to the work site (w3w///magnets.engraving.eaten).

Wednesday 3 February 2027

Scrub clearance: We will be clearing scrub on The Flashes to preserve the open heathland habitat. This is likely to be wet underfoot, so please wear waterproof boots or wellies.

Meet at Axe Pond (w3w///tumblers.clumped.rebirth) before heading off to the work site (w3w///revamping.districts.woes).

Wednesday 17 February 2027

Scrub clearance: We will be continuing with scrub clearance on the Flashes. The ground can be very wet here, so please wear waterproof boots or wellies.

Meet at Axe Pond (w3w///tumblers.clumped.rebirth) before heading off to the work site (w3w///suffer.blows.frown).

Wednesday 24 February 2027

Scrub clearance: We will be continuing with scrub clearance on the Flashes. The ground can be very wet here, so please wear waterproof boots or wellies.

Meet at Axe Pond (w3w///tumblers.clumped.rebirth) before heading off to the work site (w3w///collapsed.trees.wove).

No sessions over the autumn/winter period.

All tasks are 10am–3pm unless otherwise stated, though there is no requirement to stay all day. Meet 10am at the small car park off Roke Lane, Witley, GU8 5NZ, SU 936 399. (w3w///once.convinced.ruled). Sessions led by Vicky.

Tasks and dates

Wednesday 2 September 2026

Grassland management: We will be carrying out an end of summer cut of an area of species-rich 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 some invasive Turkey oak from the road edge and litter pick the area.

Wednesday 14 October 2026

Wet heath management: We will cut and rake strips of heather within the wet heathland and mire habitats on Mare Hill to encourage fresh growth, and dig up purple moor grass tussocks to prevent them taking over at the expense of more delicate wetland plants. There is also a collection of small pines which would benefit from being thinned. Wellies would be useful.

Wednesday 11 November 2026

Scrub clearance: Continuing with (and perhaps finishing) the clearance of young self-set trees from the valuable wet heathland habitat to prevent them taking over at the expense of heathers and grasses. Wellies advised.

Sunday 6 December 2026

Cut your own Christmas tree! We will spend the morning between 10am and 1pm 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 9 December 2026

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 6 January 2027 (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 13 January 2027

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

Wednesday 10 February 2027

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 onto our newly restored habitat.

No sessions over the autumn/winter period.

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

Tasks and dates 

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Wildfire buffer zone creation: Removing dead wood and fallen branches from the woodland understory to increase resilience to wildfire.

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

Location of work site: w3w///flush.comically.gentlemen

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Wildfire buffer zone creation: Removing dead wood and fallen branches from the woodland understory to increase resilience to wildfire.

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

Location of work site: w3w///flush.comically.gentlemen

Wednesday 14 October 2026

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///tipping.nags.poetic

Wednesday 28 October 2026

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///performed.shouting.geese

Wednesday 11 November 2026

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Wednesday 25 November 2026

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///confetti.roughest.dock

Saturday 5 December 2026

Cut your own Christmas tree: Help us to remove Scots pine and silver birch to maintain the heathland in a suitable condition for the specialised wildlife found here. In return for your hard work you are welcome to take home a Scots pine for Christmas! Christmas attire is welcome!

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

Wednesday 9 December 2026

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///rocked.owner.handicap

Wednesday 16 December 2026 (please note change of date)

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

Meet at Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, TQ 036 462 (w3w///sharpness.donates.workroom).

Location of work site: w3w///pupils.dozen.encoding

Wednesday 13 January 2027

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

Meet at Blackheath Lane car park, GU4 8RB, TQ 036 462 (w3w///sharpness.donates.workroom).

Location of work site: w3w///pupils.dozen.encoding

Wednesday 27 January 2027

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///recur.sadly.sends

Wednesday 10 February 2027

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///recur.sadly.sends

Wednesday 24 February 2027

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

Meet at the Littleford Lane car park, GU4 8QZ, TQ 035 457 (w3w///buggy.shepherdess.volcano).

Location of work site: w3w///recur.sadly.sends

We are running a couple of sessions to maintain this village pond. Sessions led by Lucie.

Tasks and dates

Saturday 24 October 2026

Pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around the pond.

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

Tuesday 17th November 2026

Pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around the pond.

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

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

Tasks and dates 

Tuesday 1 September 2026

No task today.

Tuesday 15 September 2026

Wildflower meadow maintenance: We will rake and remove cuttings from the wildflower meadows.

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

Tuesday 6 October 2026

Path maintenance: Cutting back encroaching vegetation from the paths around the site.

Meet at the wildlife corridor off Summerlands Road, between Peregrine Close and Harrier Close.

Tuesday 20 October 2026

Habitat creation: Creating a bee bank habitat, installing hedgehog houses, and planting spring bulbs.

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

Tuesday 3 November 2026

Cranleigh Common pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around one of the ponds on Cranleigh Common.

Meet at the wildlife pond off the Guildford Road, GU6 8NS (w3w///chart.buckling.beaters).

Tuesday 17 November 2026

Ewhurst Green pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around the pond on Ewhurst Green (joint endeavour with the Ewhurst Green volunteers).

Meet at the pond on Ewhurst Green, Plough Lane, GU6 7SG, TQ 095 390 (w3w///shrug.factually.worked).

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around the Summerlands wildlife pond. 

Meet at pond on Kiln Copse, GU6 7BW.

Tuesday 15 December 2026

Pond maintenance: Cutting back and removing excess vegetation from within and around the Summerlands wildlife pond. 

Meet at pond on Kiln Copse, GU6 7BW.

Tuesday 5 January 2027

Scrub clearance: Cutting back encroaching vegetation at the entrance to Slip of Wood and carrying out a survey for the eggs of the brown hairstreak butterfly. We will also be conducting a wassailing event at the community orchard, a traditional English custom to bless the fruit trees.

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

Tuesday 19 January 2027

Scrub clearance: Clearing holly and bramble from the woodland, and then adding the cuttings to an existing dead hedge. We will also remove an old redundant fence from the woodland.

Meet at the northern end of Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE.

Tuesday 2 February 2027

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

Meet at the northern end of Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE.

Tuesday 16 February 2027

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

Meet at the northern end of Slip of Wood, GU6 7BE.

Tasks and dates

Sunday 24 January 2027

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

Saturday 14 November 2026

Birch thinning and holly clearance: We will be clearing the poorer trees from stands of dense birch to give those trees remaining more space and light, and will also clear dense holly to create space for other trees to establish.

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

Sunday 15 November 2026

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

Sunday 25 October 2026

Holly clearance and pond work: We will be clearing an area of dense holly to allow more light into the woodland and create space for other trees and woodland plants to establish. If numbers and enthusiasm allow, we may also remove invasive weed from the pond.

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

Session led by Vicky.

Tasks and dates

Sunday 21 February 2027

Cherry laurel clearance: We will be cutting back invasive cherry laurel to prevent it encroaching at the expense of native woodland plants. We may also do some bramble cutting if time allows.

Meet 10am at the car park off the northern side of the Elstead Road, GU8 6AY, SU 935 446 (w3w:///prepares.prospered.neon).

Session led by Vicky.