What Wild Days Conservation
Where Cornwall
How long? Four nights
How much? £590
What’s included? Meals and accommodation
Enjoy the southwest’s most beautiful beaches while undertaking valuable conservation work alongside a representative from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the Natural History Museum, and National Trust rangers. Field training will be provided to conduct detailed surveys, and data gathered will be submitted to the MCS and the Natural History Museum.
Find out more at https://wilddaysconservation.org/holidays/cornwalls-beautiful-beaches/ or call 01603 505731
What National Trust
Where Nationwide
How long From two to seven nights
How much Short breaks from £85
What’s included Food and accommodation
The National Trust has a huge range of working holidays available throughout the year, which cater to a range of interests. Hedge-laying, coppicing woodlands, learning bushcraft, rebuilding walls, or carrying out biological surveys are just a few activities that you could get involved in.
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/working-holidays or call 0344 800 3099
What Waterway Recovery Group
Where Wolverhampton and Essex
How long Two and seven nights
How much £13 and £70 respectively
What’s included Food and accommodation
Britain’s network of canals and waterways are a huge, linear national park – both a leisure park and a vital wildlife sanctuary. On a Canal Camp break you’ll be helping to maintain these beautiful waterways. Taking place over a week or a weekend, your day can include clearing the waterways of rubbish, bricklaying, maintaining towpaths or even driving dumper trucks.
Find out more at www.waterways.org.uk/wrg/canal_camps/canal_camp_dates or call 01494 783 453
What Earthwatch Expedition
Where Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire
How long One day
How much £TBC
What’s included Food and accommodation not included. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided
Join scientists in ancient woodland to gather vital data that will help them assess how woodlands are responding to climate change. You’ll be taught how to gather accurate information in the field, which will be analysed in the context of forests globally.
Find out more at http://eu.earthwatch.org/expeditions/climate-change-in-wytham-woods or call 01865 318838
What RSPB
Where Nationwide
How long Short- and long-term placements are available
How much A suggested £25 donation is welcome
What’s included Accommodation
A wide range of short- and long-term residential placements at RSPB reserves across the UK are available at different times of the year depending on the location. Duties are as varied as the reserves, and can include seabird research, people engagement work, practical habitat management and more, all in stunning surroundings that gets you closer to wildlife.
Find out more at www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/community-and-advice/volunteer/residential.aspx or refer to the RSPB 2017 brochure
What Trees for Life
Where Scottish Highlands
How long One week
How much £385
What’s included Accommodation, meals, and transport to and from Inverness
Plant trees to expand and restore Scotland’s beautiful Caledonian Forest. In addition to this valuable work, you’ll also be learning about the local wildlife, using camera-traps to discover which species call the area their home, and staking out pine martens from a hide. You might also catch a glimpse of an osprey, black grouse, or even a golden eagle.
Find out more at http://treesforlife.org.uk/volunteer/conservation-weeks/ or email volunteer@treesforlife.org.uk
What Lundy Field Society
Where Lundy Island, Devon
How long One week
How much £60. Additional £70 charge if travelling via helicopter.
What’s included Accommodation and boat fare
Work with Lundy’s warden to preserve the island’s unique flora and fauna – it contains plants that can be found nowhere else — and natural beauty. Duties can include clearing rhododendrons, drystone walling, path maintenance and more, all while enjoying fantastic sea views.
Find out more at www.lundy.org.uk/lfs/conservationwork.php or email workingparty@lundy.org.uk
What Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust//
Where Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides
How long One week
How much £125 unsubsidised
What’s included Accommodation
Working alongside the Trust’s experienced group leader and other likeminded volunteers, you’ll be contributing to the preservation of the island’s ecology by undertaking practical conservation, such as tree planting, path maintenance, and invasive species management, spurred on by spectacular scenery and wildlife on this fascinating island.
Find out more at https://volunteeroneigg.co.uk/conservation-working-holidays/ or call 01687 482402