Countryside Volunteers

The Countryside Access Team has now started the first phase of establishing a team of countryside volunteers.  The work of our four Countryside Rangers covers areas in Cumbria outside the National Parks.  We are looking for volunteers who live locally and want to work in these areas to help our rangers. 

You can get involved in a number of activities including:

• Monitoring open access areas - giving advice and guidance to walkers,
• Checking signs - including helping to put up lambing, bird-nesting an fire signs,
• Checking stiles and gates - including minor repair works where needed,
• Ranger days - pairing up with an area Ranger for daily activities where an extra pair of hands is needed,
• Practical work parties - small-scale maintenance work on paths in parishes across Cumbria,
• Attending shows and events,
• Office-based activities, including data input,
• ... and a number of other activities depending on the experience and skills you might be able to offer! 

Basic navigation skills and an interest in or knowledge of Public Rights of Way and farming in Cumbria would be an advantage but further training will also be provided including:

• A general introduction to the role and meeting the team,
• Navigation - basic and advanced,
• Outdoor first aid,
• Induction with your local Ranger,
• Other training 'on the job' depending on the activity and equipment needed.  

We are looking for volunteers with a friendly and outgoing personality who will be able to help out on a regular basis as well as those that can spare time for specific projects.

So if you enjoy meeting people and getting out in the countryside as a walker, horse rider, cyclist, canoeist, birdwatcher, photographer or artist and this sounds like it might be for you why not get in touch with the Volunteer Co-ordinator (details at the bottom of this page).