Volunteers needed to help conserve the East Devon countryside

As the summer draws to a close our rangers in East Devon are starting to plan the practical habitat management tasks for nature conservation over the winter, including hedge-laying, scrub clearance and coppicing.

They are looking for people to join their team of volunteers who carry out this work. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and all tools are provided. A love for the countryside and ability to work outdoors, sometimes in the rain, is all they ask for.

From October until the end of March there is the opportunity for people to come and volunteer every week. They can either join the fortnightly countryside group which runs throughout the year on all of our sites within East Devon, or join the Combe Wood coppicing group which starts on Tuesday 8 October.

Combe Wood is located just north of Honiton and is an Oak and Hazel coppice bluebell woodland. Rangers coppice a different section of the wood each year giving a diversity in age structure to the wood and allowing light to penetrate through the canopy to allow the wild flowers to flourish. They meet on site at 10am and usually work until 3pm.

Kate Sheard, Community Ranger, said: "Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make friends as well as helping to conserve the East Devon countryside. Not only can people give something back to their local area but they can gain new skills at the same time."

If you are interested in volunteering with the East Devon ranger team, please contact: Kate Sheard on 01297 680507 or email kate.sheard@nationaltrust.org.uk.