Volunteering

Julie Hatcher

Volunteer Management System (https://dorsetwt.teamkinetic.co.uk/)

Is volunteering right for me?

Volunteers come to us for all sorts of reasons: to do their bit, to get healthy, to stay healthy, for the social element, for fun, for the challenge, to learn new skills, to practice old skills, to prepare for the workplace, to help wildlife, to get out into the fresh air, to learn about wildlife, to carry on using skills during retirement - and occasionally it’s just to give it a go. We like to think that we have the ideal opportunity for everyone who comes to us – so why not put us to the test?

Volunteering Opportunities

To register as a volunteer, explore current opportunities, and take the next step to get involved, click the link below to visit our Volunteer Management System.

There’s a wide range of roles available, so it’s simply a case of finding the opportunities that are right for you.

Visit our Volunteer Management System

Winter conservation work on Brownsea Island (https://youtu.be/WtB4HWy8Et8)

Video production: Diarmuid Mitchell

From practical conservation to supporting our teams behind the scenes, there are many ways to volunteer with Dorset Wildlife Trust. The video above captures just one experience on Brownsea Island, but similar opportunities take place right across the county.

Our opportunities are shared through our Volunteer Management System, making it the best place to explore what’s currently available.

Here are some of the ways you could get involved:

Join a Conservation Work Party

Get hands-on and make a real difference by joining one of our conservation work parties across the county.

Work parties typically take place during the winter months, although some sites run sessions throughout the year. Every session is led by our Reserve Wardens or experienced volunteers, so you’ll be fully supported, whether you're new or experienced.

We provide all the tools you’ll need. Tasks may include:

Path creation and maintenance
Scrub clearance
Hedge laying
General path clearance
Small pine removal

Our focus is on creating a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment where everyone can contribute while helping to enhance and protect our natural spaces.

Working in Offices and Visitor Centres

Volunteering with Dorset Wildlife Trust doesn’t always mean being outdoors or getting muddy, there are ways to get involved behind the scenes too.

We regularly offer indoor volunteering opportunities at our offices and Visitor Centres across the county.

You could support us by:

Providing clerical support
Staffing reception areas
Welcoming visitors
Inputting data
Carrying out research
Helping to prepare membership packs and other mailings

If you’re able to commit to a regular session, perhaps one day a week, you may have the opportunity to work with one of our teams on a specific project.

Carrying Out Wildlife Surveys

Recording and monitoring wildlife is a vital part of our work across Dorset. From our nature reserves and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) to our Living Landscape and Living Seas projects, as well as local community spaces, volunteers play a key role in helping us understand and protect our natural environment.

There are many ways to get involved, depending on your interests, the time you can offer, and your level of experience in identifying wildlife.

If you already have wildlife identification or survey skills, you can contribute directly to our recording and monitoring programmes or support ongoing work at our nature reserves.

We also offer occasional opportunities to receive training for specific surveys, which are shared through our volunteer email newsletter.

Visit our Volunteer Management System to register, browse current opportunities, and sign up.

New roles are added regularly, so once you’ve registered, we encourage you to check back often so you don’t miss out.

Volunteer Management System

Wessex Water Brownsea Island workday

Wild Workdays

Our corporate volunteering days provide a fantastic opportunity to get out in nature and to help make our reserves the best possible homes for wildlife.

Find out more