Reserve Volunteers

Location: Our nature reserves, throughout Suffolk

By John Ferguson

If you love the outdoors, meeting new people and learning new skills then volunteering with us is for you. We have over 50 nature reserves across Suffolk, so there will be an opportunity for you to take part either at a reserve close to your home or further afield. You’ll be involved in practical conservation management guided by our knowledgeable team. Tasks will vary according to the seasons and the habitats you’ll be helping to manage and maintain.

Opportunity type

What you’ll be doing 

The type of work you’ll be undertaking depends on which reserve you volunteer at, but it will mostly be relatively physical work. Please speak with the Reserve Warden to get more of an idea about activities as it does vary quite widely. 

The skills you need: 

There’s no need to have any prior experience. You’ll be guided and instructed on the day. Ideally, you’ll be willing to work in a team and be relatively physically fit to carry out some of the work. 

What’s in it for you? 

A chance to make a real difference to Suffolk’s wildlife, meet new people, learn new skills, find out more about and get closer to wildlife, be part of a great team and get an insight into the work we do at Suffolk Wildlife Trust. 

The time you’ll need to give: 

Hours and times vary from site to site – please contact the site manager or warden 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 or stout work boots, waterproofs, water to drink and a good-sized packed lunch. Working outside always makes you hungry! 

Please choose a location and contact the site manager:

NE Suffolk

Matt Gooch
Sites Manager
01502 564250

Jamie Smith
Reserves Warden
07887 422018

  • Dingle Marshes
  • Hen Reedbeds
  • Darsham Marshes
  • Reydon Wood
  • Church Farm
  • Winks Meadow

Suffolk Broads

Ellen Shailes
Broads Warden
01502 564250

  • Castle Marshes
  • Gunton Meadow
  • Gunton Warren
  • Oulton Marshes
  • Lound lakes

SE Suffolk

Andrew Excell
Sites Manager
01394 411019

South East Suffolk Reserves Warden – Steve Hook 

  • Captain’s Wood
  • Hazlewood Marshes
  • Newbourne Springs
  • Framlingham Mere

Trimley Marshes Warden – Charlie McMurray

  • Trimley Marshes

Carl Ansell
Sizewell Belts Warden
07741 167915

  • Sizewell Belts

Ben Calvesbert
Heaths and Meadows Warden
07789 042831

  • Blaxhall Common
  • Foxburrow Farm
  • Martins Meadows

Valley Fens

Richard Young
Valley Fens Warden
01379 687618

  • Hopton Fen
  • Market Weston Fen
  • Mellis Common
  • Redgrave & Lopham Fen
  • Roydon Fen
  • Thelnetham Fen

Samantha Norris
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