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 for 2024
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 8th September, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Tuesday 24th September, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Autumn residential weekend: 27 - 29/30th September:
Join us for a full weekend staying in comfortable accomodation in the middle of Hardknott Forest itself. Book Now
Sunday 13th October, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Tuesday 22nd October, Volunteer day, Hardknott Forest: Book Now
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
Wildlife events 2024
Friday 26th June, Moth Count at Hardknott Forest (evening session): Book Now
Saturday 27th June, Moth Count at Hardknott Forest (morning session): Book Now
Join us and moth specialist Ryan Clark to identify the moths of Hardknott. We'll use lures & light traps to attract & ID our moths. We'll also bring our thermal scope to view larger animals. There are two sessions: one on the evening of 26th July where we'll be setting the lures and light traps, and seeing what we can bring in. The second session will be the following morning, when we will identify and release the moths. All moths will be released unharmed. Both events are free and everyone is welcome. You can book onto either or both events.
Thursday 29th August 7.30pm, Bat walk at the Newfield Inn: Book Now
Join our staff and Chris, our local bat expert on a guided walk through some great bat habitats in and around the village of Seathwaite and the River Duddon. We'll also bring our thermal scope to view larger animals.
Tuesday 3rd September, Bat walk at Hardknott Forest: Book Now
Join our staff and Chris, our local bat expert on a guided walk through some the best bat habitats of Hardknott Forest. We'll also bring our thermal scope to view larger animals.
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.
We also run regular residential weekends where you can come and join us for two days of forest restoration activities. Even more time to enjoy the local scenery, wildlife and a well earned pub dinner!
We stay in local accomodation such as the Wallabarrow Bunkhouse or the Birks. 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.