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.
Volunteer days now include work on the whole Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery project, which we are a partner in. We are also offering days in our new community tree nursery, just up the road from Hardknott Forest. These days will be less physical than our typical volunteer day, but still offer brilliant views of the fells. More details here.
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 and events
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 14th June - volunteer day (tree tube removal, Brotherilkeld Farm, Eskdale): Help us to get plastic off the fells! Book Now
Wednesday 17th June - nursery day: Help out in the tree nursery. Book Now
Dry stone walling for beginners - Thursday 18th June: Come and learn about the art of drystone walling with our experienced team. Book Now
Dry stone walling for beginners - Saturday 20th June: Come and learn about the art of drystone walling with our experienced team. Book Now
Tuesday 23rd June - volunteer day (tree tube removal, Brotherilkeld Farm, Eskdale): Help us to get plastic off the fells! Book Now
Wednesday 1st July - nursery day. Help out in the tree nursery. Book Now
Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery site visit - Sunday 12th July: Join us one year into the 20 year Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery project for an update on our work and an informal guided walk with project staff. There will easy and moderate versions of the walk, and we will cover some highlights of the first year of the project, with plenty of time for questions. Book Now
Tuesday 14 July - nursery day: Help out in the tree nursery. Book Now
Thursday 23rd July - nursery day: Help out in the tree nursery. Book Now
Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery site visit - Tuesday 28th July: Join us one year into the 20 year Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery project for an update on our work and an informal guided walk with project staff. There will easy and moderate versions of the walk, and we will cover some highlights of the first year of the project, with plenty of time for questions. Book Now
Autumn Residential Weekend - 20 - 22/23 November: Join us for a weekend's volunteering staying in the Birks Centre 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. Tasks will include removal of non-native trees, tree tube removal and maintenance, and the planting of native trees or wildflowers. More details on booking. Book Now
Nature Rich Miterdale: We now have a partner project at nearby Miterdale, and they are running volunteer events similar to ours. For more information have a look at the Nature Rich Miterdale project pages here. Their volunteering dates are here and are also listed below.
April
Sunday 26th Book Here
May
Friday 8th Book Here
Sunday 31st Book Here
June
Friday 12th Book Here
Sunday 28th Book Here
July
Friday 10th Book Here
Sunday 26th Book Here
August
Friday 14th Book Here
Sunday 23rd Book Here (note earlier date to avoid August bank holiday)
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.