Volunteer in the countryside

Finding employment in countryside management and related areas can be difficult. Volunteering is an important way to find paid work in this field by gaining experience and becoming actively involved in practical environmental work.

You can volunteer for an afternoon or a whole year. If you can commit yourself on a regular basis for a few months, our qualified and experienced environmental professionals can offer you a programme of training.

Volunteer rangers

Join the Voluntary Ranger Service based at Lewes or Rye and help protect and enhance a variety of countryside habitats in East Sussex.

Carrying out conservation work throughout the county on a weekly or occasional basis, you could help put up a stiles or gates, dig ditches or cut back vegetation. Find out more about becoming a volunteer ranger.

Trainee rangers

If you want to train to be a ranger, we offer a one year, full-time, voluntary course with day release at Plumpton College. This leads to an NVQ2 in Environmental Conservation. Find out more about becoming a trainee ranger.

Elm Protection Volunteers

East Sussex has the largest population of mature Elm in the country. So far, they have escaped the worst ravages of Dutch elm disease partly from natural factors – being between the Downs and the sea – and partly through human factors – a good DED control programme. But it is still killing our elms.

The current DED control area stretches from Brighton & Hove in the west to Eastbourne in the east. We are keen to add to our existing group of volunteers to ensure that we have complete coverage of the control area. See a map of our Dutch Elm disease control zone.

If you would like to work with us on this important project we would like to hear from you. Please send a brief CV to our Dutch Elm Disease Officer or phone 0345 60 80 193.

Rights of way volunteer groups

The rights of way network is maintained by rangers and volunteer groups. They carry out a variety of tasks in a parish from installing stiles and gates to clearing vegetation on footpaths.

If you would like to start a new group of volunteers, or join an existing one, see our page about Parish Rights of Way volunteering.

Tree wardens

Tree wardens are involved in planting schemes, surveys, school projects or planning issues affecting protected trees. They volunteer directly for the parish and town councils.

We support Tree Wardens by providing information about trees, woodland and funding opportunities, and by organising an annual gathering.

If you would like to become a tree warden, please contact your local parish or town council.

Guided walk or cycle ride leaders

Walk or cycle ride leaders make a valuable contribution towards the work that we do. Each year volunteers contribute over 350 guided walks and rides and share their enthusiasm with over 6,500 people.

Help encourage people to get out into the countryside by becoming a volunteer walk or cycle ride leader.

Further information

To find out more about volunteering in the countryside, contact Countryside Management.