Volunteering Opportunity: Warden Astonbury Woodland with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT)

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a local conservation charity working to protect wildlife and help people connect with nature. We believe that wildlife should be able to thrive alongside our everyday lives and that everyone is better off when they have access to nature. With a team of volunteers, we care for wild places to create space for nature and help communities create their own wild places. We help people experience the wildlife on their doorsteps and to take action to protect it.

Join the Trust’s exciting project helping to preserve and enhance biodiversity in the superb ancient Astonbury Woodland.

Our National Lottery Heritage Funded project Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodlands is seeking to restore Astonbury Wood by reintroducing active habitat management. As a part of this project we are seeking to appoint a Volunteer Warden who is able to be a regular presence on site and a positive representative of the Trust. This role will be working with the Nature Reserves Team in order to ensure the site achieves its objectives as outlined in the management plan.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: East Herts, Stevenage

Location: Outdoor

Time of day: Casual or Intermittent, To Be Discussed

Practical Considerations: Reasons to volunteer with the Trust

• Provide vital support for the Trust by contributing to the preservation and restoration of a fantastic ancient woodland site

• Opportunity to develop your skills and confidence
Gain valuable experience of leading tasks in woodland habitat management

• Receive support from a group of committed staff and volunteers working together to deliver our Ancient Astonbury project

• Join a fun and friendly team to make a difference

Volunteer training and support

• Induction training at our head office, Grebe House in St Albans, covering an introduction to the work of the Trust and
information on our policies and procedures

• Mentoring with an experienced staff member to guide and review your activities

• Appropriate first aid and power tool (brushcutter) training

• Reasonable travel expenses can be claimed with prior arrangement

Anticipated time commitment:

• This is flexible but we initially suggest approximately 2 hours every fortnight for a site check and an additional 3.5 hours for a monthly weekend work party or event

• Support for Astonbury Wood will take priority but there may be an opportunity to get involved in other Trust activities

Role duration

• This role will be reviewed prior to the conclusion of the Ancient Astonbury and Wilder Woodland project in November 2025

• The role will then be reviewed every two years following the initial review to assess its impact on the nature reserve and the performance of the individual in relation to HMWTs behaviours framework

Requirements: Relevant qualification or training, Will require a criminal record check (DBS), Own vehicle or access to a vehicle

Suitable for: Aged 26 and over, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing, Wildlife & Conservation

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
Role responsibilities:

• Carry out regular site checks by walking the paths of Astonbury Wood, checking any infrastructure and reporting any problems (eg damage, inappropriate use, litter) to HMWT – particularly after extreme weather events

• Represent HMWT in a positive way on site and engage with visitors

• Refer people interested in volunteering to the HMWT registration process

• Lead or assist with event organisation, promotion and delivery at Astonbury Wood

• Carry out maintenance of hand tools and power tools

• Complete risk assessments and other H&S paperwork

• Carry out site management tasks as agreed with Wilder Woodland Officer and/ or Senior Reserves Officer

• Run regular work parties at weekends

Skills and experience you will need:

A basic understanding of woodland ecology and species

Knowledge and experience of carrying out a range of woodland management tasks

Knowledge and experience of assessing and repairing site access infrastructure

Experience of hand tool and power tool use and maintenance

Experience of leading events and activities with volunteers and members of the public such as work parties, guided walks and community events

Enthusiastic about wildlife and the work of the Trust
Willingness to work as part of a team

Excellent communication skills both orally and through use of IT (Email, Mobile Phone)

Willingness to work in accordance with all relevant Trust policies and procedures including Health & Safety,

Safeguarding and Data Protection

Outdoor First Aid certificate and Safe Use of Brushcutter and
Trimmer certificate is desirable

Knowledge of the history of Astonbury Wood is desirable