NaturalPeople England’sfrom volunteersall comebackgrounds fromvolunteer manywith backgroundsNatural andEngland. You can get involved in a wide varietyrange of tasksactivities, -including:

• conservation fromwork scientific surveying to enthusing visitors on our National Nature Reserves (NNRs).)
• helping NNR visitors enjoy and understand nature
• volunteer bat roost surveying

In some areas you can also volunteer as part of a student placement or work experience. These are both considered forms of volunteering.

There is no minimum time commitmentcommitment. -You you choose how much time you do.give.

The volunteering promise gives a broad outline of what support you can expect of us and what we expect of you as a volunteer, for example our code of conduct and how we retain personal information.

Find volunteering opportunities

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AdvertisedVolunteering volunteeron rolesNational Nature Reserves (NNRs)

NoYou currentmay vacancieshave a National Nature Reserve near you that offers try-out sessions before you formally enrol as a volunteer. It can be as short as a 1 day session or a few days. This gives you the opportunity to see if volunteering is right for you.

Student

Use placementsthe NNR finder to check for sites near you. Not all NNRs are managed by Natural England; contact details for each site are listed to differentiate between Natural England and workother experience

Student placements

Base your Masters, undergraduate, diploma, BTEC or A-level A-level dissertation project on one of our our NNRs. If there is an available opportunity you may be asked to complete an expression of interest.

Work experience

If you’re between 14 and 18, or returning to a work environment, there may be work experience opportunities available at Natural England managed sites. Complete an expression of interest to explore availability.

Volunteer bat roost visitor

Natural England has a network of trained and licensed volunteer bat roost visitors (VBRVs). They provide advice about bats in homes, places of worship and public buildings. Find out how to become a VBRV.

Corporate or group volunteering and team building days

Depending on your location, Natural England may be able to offer corporate, group and team building volunteering opportunities in practical conservation tasks.

Overseas volunteers or students

You must check with UK Visas and Immigration that you’re eligible to volunteer in the UK. Natural England:

• is not registered as an official sponsor for overseas volunteers or students
• cannot cover travel expenses to the UK or accommodation expenses whilst in the UK

How Natural England treats your personal information

If Natural England cannot offer you a placement, it adds your details to a list of potential volunteers. It shares the list regularly with staff. They may contact you if a role becomes available. Natural England:

• keeps your details for up to 6 months, unless you ask us not to
• will only use your details to contact you about possible volunteering opportunities

The volunteers privacy notice gives more details.

Benefits and entitlements

By volunteering with Natural England you:

• give valuable support to the conservation of special habitats and species
• use your existing skills and learning new ones
• keep active
• work as part of a team with staff and other volunteers
• add valuable work experience to your CV

Natural England provides:

• information on your voluntary role and how it contributes to Natural England’s work
• an induction to your role
• information on health, safety and welfare
• an identity card for use during your voluntary role
• protective clothing or equipment required for your role (on loan)
• a reference if you apply for another job or voluntary role
• agreed out-of-pocket expenses