Reserve Volunteers

Location: Various locations, throughout Suffolk

By John Ferguson

There are opportunities for volunteers to help with practical conservation management on nature reserves throughout Suffolk. Tasks vary across the seasons and according to the habitat.

Opportunity type

What you’ll be doing:

Reserves management work is varied but typical work would be: scrub management and coppicing, fence repairs and construction, mowing of island vegetation, hide and tern raft renovation, path work and signage, and machinery maintenance.

The skills you need:

No experience necessary but an interest in the Trust's work would be useful. You will need to be fit enough to carry out some physical work.

What you’ll get out of it:

You will learn more about the management of a fantastic wetland bird reserve, and get opportunites to see the birds on site. You will also gain valuable experience volunteering with a conservation organization, and meet Trust staff and other volunteers. Free tea, coffee and the all-important biscuits will be available to reward you for your hard work.

The time you need to give:

Hours required and times vary from site to site - please contact the site manager for your preferred location below to find out more.

Other information:

Full training, tools and protective clothing are provided as required but please bring wellies, stout work boots, waterproofs and a good sized packed lunch. 

Please choose a location and contact the site manager:

NE Suffolk

Alan Miller
Sites Manager
01502 478788

  • Church Farm
  • Dingle Marshes
  • Hen Reedbeds
  • Reydon Wood
  • Dunwich Forest
  • Darsham Marshes

Dayne West
Sizewell Belts Warden
01728 831527

  • Sizewell Belts

Suffolk Broads

Matt Gooch
Broads Reserves Warden
01502 564250

  • Carlton Marshes
  • Castle Marshes
  • Gunton Meadow
  • Gunton Warren
  • North Cove
  • Oulton Marshes

Carl Herrington
Lound Lakes Warden
01502 564250

  • Lound Lakes

Sandlings

Ben Calvesbert
Sandlings Warden
01394 388431

  • Foxburrow Farm
  • Blaxhall Common
  • Sutton & Hollesley Commons

SE Suffolk

Andrew Excell
Sites Manager
01394 411019

  • Captain’s Wood
  • Hazlewood Marshes
  • Newbourne Springs
  • Snape Marshes
  • Trimley Marshes

Valley Fens

Richard Young
Valley Fens Warden
01379 687618

  • Hopton Fen
  • Market Weston Fen
  • Redgrave & Lopham Fen
  • Thelnetham Fen

Samantha Gay
Knettishall Heath Ranger
01379 687618

  • Knettishall Heath

West Suffolk

William Cranstoun
Sites Manager
01284 728541

  • Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale
  • Cornard Mere
  • Black Bourn Valley
  • Lackford Lakes
  • Mickle Mere

Giles Cawston
Woodlands Warden
07941 631558

  • Bonny Wood
  • Bradfield Woods
  • Bull’s Wood
  • Combs Wood
  • Groton Wood