Volunteering & events
Want to get involved with our project and help with practical ecological restoration?
Volunteer days are open to all and are a great opportunity to socialise and to learn about forest restoration, as well as contribute to creating more native woodland in Cumbria. Tasks include removing non-native trees, planting native trees, collecting and propagating seeds, and the protection and maintenance of native trees.
Our volunteer days can be booked by using the booking links below. We will send out more detailed information and directions to anyone interested in volunteering with us, or contact our Project Officer if you have any questions.
More details below, and you can sign up the the newsletter to be kept up to date.
Volunteering days to March 2025
Click on the links below to be taken to the booking page. If any dates are full, you can add your name to the waiting list in case of any cancellations.
Sunday 10th November, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Tuesday 26th November, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Sunday 8th December, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Tuesday 28th January, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Sunday 9th February, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Tuesday 25th February, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Sunday 9th March, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Spring residential weekend - 21 - 23/24 March: Join us for a full weekend staying in comfortable accomodation in the middle of Hardknott Forest itself. Book Now
Tuesday 25th March, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Nature Rich Miterdale: We now have a partner project at nearby Miterdale and they are already running volunteer events. For more information, or to get in touch with them have a look at the Nature Rich Miterdale project pages here.
Group bookings
We also organise days for schools, community groups, workplaces and special interest groups, please get in touch. These days are great for team building and mental and physical health. And if your employer allocates volunteer days, then that's even better!
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers help with practical ecological restoration, monitoring and research. Local residents, children from local schools, volunteers from the University of Leeds, and the John Muir Trust have contributed thousands of days of volunteer work.
Volunteer days are open to all and are a great opportunity to socialise and to learn about forest restoration, as well as contribute to creating more native woodland in Cumbria. Tasks include removing non-native trees, planting native trees, collecting and propagating seeds, and the protection and maintenance of native trees.
Times: Days run from 9.30am to about 3.30pm.
What to bring: Please bring lunch, a drink and suitable footwear and clothing including waterproof trousers. Tools and work gloves are provided. Click the link below for our leaflet on volunteering at Hardknott Forest.
Volunteering with Restoring Hardknott Forest
Where to meet: We meet at the Forestry England Hardknott Car Park at Birks Bridge (Landranger Map 96. Grid ref: SD234 995). The car park is on the minor road just south of Cockley Bridge and north of Seathwaite.
Residential weekends
You can join us for a weekend's volunteering staying in the Birks in the heart of Hardknott Forest. The centre has fantastic views over the site, and allows easy access to all areas of the forest. Accomodation costs £65 per person for the weekend. We have two low waged/discounted tickets available at £10 each. The evening meal is in the nearby Newfield Inn.
What else do we do?
Do you work at a school, youth club? Have a group of friends of colleagues who'd be interested in getting involved? We can organise days for schools, community groups, workplaces and special interest groups. Please contact us for more information.