The number of volunteers signed up with us has continued to increase over the past year, with over 1,100 people regularly giving up their time and contributing over 55,000 hours. We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their support.
We have such a breadth of skills and interests in over 80 roles across the Trust, from office volunteers to practical conservation, visitor experience, education, events, guided walks and governance.
Cutacre Practical Conservation Volunteers
Some of our roles are more niche than others - did you know you can volunteer as a Livestock Checker or Nature and Wellbeing Lead Volunteer, Education Volunteer or Watch Group Leader? Opportunities are regularly updated on our volunteering page.
We’ve been working hard to ensure that all volunteers feel supported and learning how we can further develop our offering. Thank you to the almost 250 of you who gave thoughts on your experience in our survey and to our Volunteer Voice Forum, who reviewed the results and helped shape our volunteer development plan.
Shark egg case counting volunteers at Rossall Point Tower
Meeting people is an important part of the experience. In all our roles, volunteers get the opportunity to meet our staff and other likeminded people.
Flexibility is important to many of you, along with further opportunities to get involved. We’re working with our internal teams to offer a wider range of roles and one-off opportunities and events so that you can learn more about the wider work of the Trust.
Some people have volunteered with us for decades, and we’re constantly presenting our Long Service badges as acknowledgement of this (presented after five, 10 and 20 years of volunteering). Others have only just started their journey with us.
Volunteer Service Badges
The fact that so many people stay with us for so long is hopefully a strong indication of the satisfaction and enjoyment that volunteering brings them. Many of our staff started off this way, proving that this is a great way to start a career in the environmental sector.
From Supporters’ Day to our Action for Nature Awards and Long Service awards, we’re proud to provide opportunities to recognise you and your volunteer teams. This year we will also be hosting a Volunteer Town Hall on 30 June.
Our Chair, Chris Davies, is welcoming all our volunteers to an online Town Hall where they can ask questions to our senior leaders and learn more about future plans at the Trust. For existing volunteers, look out on Assemble and for an email invitation from us with further details on the event.
Our 2026 Action for Nature award nominations are now open! This is an opportunity to celebrate inspiring stories of people and groups who have been doing amazing things to aid nature’s recovery.
You can nominate your fellow volunteers or volunteer groups for the awards. Is there an Unsung Hero or Outstanding Nature Champion you feel deserves further recognition?
Nominations are open until 30 September 2026 and awards will be presented at our annual Supporters Day in November. Full details on the awards categories and how to nominate are available here.
Summer solstice event Greenhouse Project
Every day and every hour, our volunteers are helping to restore nature and connect people with it. It’s the contribution of our volunteers that has made us the trusted and award-winning organisation that we have become.
Thank you to each and every one of our incredible volunteers, volunteer leaders and the volunteer team who work behind the scenes helping to support this movement across the Trust.
We want to continue to make it easier and simpler for even more people to join us and offer more opportunities across Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
Happy Volunteers’ Week!
Moth survey
There are so many opportunities to volunteer with us. Whatever you choose, we can promise you a warm welcome and the opportunity to make a real difference for the wildlife on your doorstep.
